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Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 19, 25 November 1927, Page 4

NOTES.

Cable news from Australia records that a new agrectnent modifying the existing position is being entered into between ihe Commonwealth Government and Amalgamated Wireless (Aust.), Ltd. The Commonwealth Government is itself a major shareholder in the company, and following on the recommendations of the Royal Cominission on wireless, has taken prompt action to effect the readjustments there advised. As the position is fully explained in that section of the Royal Commission’s report, which we reproduce elsewhere, on account of its importance and general interest, detailed review is here unnecessary. The reventie of the company is being reduced from five shillings per licensed listener per annum to three shillings, and apparently other concessions of moment are also being made by the company. Most interest attaches, however, to the position of patents and claims for royalty in connection therewith. Litigation has been instituted in this connection fo protect the company's claims of patent rights, but has never been prosecuted vigorously. Now it is required that the company shail push to finality and, what is of more moment to New Zealand, shall institute similar prosecutions in New Zealand. On our present information this would seem to indicate a forthcoming challenge to the legislation passed by the New Zcaland Parliament several years ago as a preliminary to the institution of New Zcaland’s broadcasting enterprise. By the Royal Commission this legislation is regarded as a challenge to the company nolding the patents to establish their validity. Amn interesting case, if as indication of the course of events is correct, may therefore be looked or. The prospects of a helpful conference between the Broadcasting Company and the various churches in relation to the broadcasting of religious services, seem encouraging, The Presbyterian Church has appointed a committee to attend, and in the attendant discussion a wise adaptability to the situation was revealed. The Rev. W. McLean took the view that while some might thereby stay away from attendance, a much wider audience, on the other hand, would he reached — namely, those who could not for distance or health reasons attend. Jt was not desirable, in his opinion, for denominationalism to be obtruded upon the air as would be the case if the policy of separate stations were adopted. That the magic of wireless tends to broaden minds and develop a tolerant and sympathetic understanding spirit is, we think, admitted. It is being looked to the world over to be a medium of increasing wundetrstanding and comprehension, and we, and thousands of others, will be disappointed if in our local case it is not made the medium of increasing service and mutual understanding on a co-operative basis.