SERVICE COMMITTEES.

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 37, 30 March 1928, Page 4

SERVICE COMMITTEES.

Serious-minded listeners who are concerned with the full service that radio broadcasting can render the community, will study with interest the scheme for service committees submitted in another column by the general manager of the Radio Broadcasting Company. This proposal, in brief; recognises that many sections of the community are interested in aspects of broadcasting, and proposes that round each station there be grouped definite committees covering the major activities of the community, where they impinge upon broadcasting. An example will make the point clear. A Church committee, comprising representation of the leading denominations, will, in effect, organise the broadcasting of church services, and so far relieve the station director of responsibilities in connection therewith. In last week’s issue we had the testimony of the Rev. D. Gardner Miller, Christchurch, that this scheme in its period of trial there had worked most admirably. Other social activitiessports, musical societies, dramatic societies, welfare institutions, etc.will be organised similarly, so that there will be direct contact between all » the major activities of the community and the Radio Broadcasting stations, which latter will then have the benefit of considered recommendations from the central leaders of each section. This scheme as a feeder for service has much to commend it. But that is only one side to the scheme. It embraces two other major features calculated directly to appeal to listeners. The first is the appointment of special official listeners to check up on the quality of transmissions. This is very essential, for in spite of the best of care, it would be too much to expect that all transmissions should maintain an unvarying standard of accuracy, and it is to the interests of all that any departures from standard should immediately be notified and corrected. The existence of official listening posts, too, will operate as a safeguard for the company, and protect it from charges of bad transmission which may not be justified. Most experienced service men agree that a high percentage of blame directed against the transmission should more correctly be diverted to the reception and faults there. The second feature that appeals to listeners bears upon this point, and the encouragement of societies concerned with "Better Radio." The harnessing of the enthusiasm of the listener in this direction has great possibilities. ‘The most outstanding characteristic of the radio "fan" is his enthusiasm, and the direction of this into recognised channels where those seeking assistance can procure it, is very much to be desired. It is for this reason that we heartily welcome this aspect of the scheme. "Better Radio" societies will, we hope, be the general order; they will then serve as the definite rallying point for newcomers and as educational centres. Some criticism may be directed against the scheme. If any weak points can be exposed, it is highly desirable they should be brought out. We know the proposal for achieving a comprehensive scheme covering the company and the listener has occupied the:attention of the general manager for some time. The subject is a big one, and has many angles. The scheme finally submitted has been an evolution from earlier propositionsnecessarily so in so big a matter. In this field there has been no precedent for guidance. The United States has no scheme for contact with listeners; Britain has no detailed scheme; Australia has none. Their conditions in every case are different. Here, the centralisation of this public utility in unified control-a system towards which other countries are trending to avoid chaos-has given the opportunity for the development of direct honds along the lines of service between the company and the community. The scheme is, we think, an earnest offer on the part of the company to make broadcasting of the greatest use to the community, and we sincerely hope that the service committees will respond to the opportunity, and that a strong body of societies aiming at "better radio" will be formed throughout the country. If these are developed on national and not parochial lines, the be12 fits that will accrue will be great.