MESSAGE TO LISTENERS

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 40, 20 April 1928, Page 3

MESSAGE TO LISTENERS

Mr. R. Leslie Jones, hon. secretary of the Wellington Amateur Radio Society, on the eve of his retirement from the secretaryship, has issued the following statement fo the listeners of New Zealand :- (a the eve of my retirement from the position of lon. secretary of the Amateur Radio Society, Wellington, I would like to offer a few suggestious in regard to the question of broadcast listening. Without in any way presuming to know all there is to know about New Zealand broadeasting( I feel a word fiom myself will probably clear tle air a great deal The work I have been carrying out for listeners throughout New Zealand has necessitated a daily close study of the past, present, and future of radio niatters. I look upon the past work for radio as a labour’ of love cntirely, and I hope my efforts will bring forth fruit for future listeners. Many long hours of close scrutiny into the broadcasting business has been necessary, and frequently I nave had to make a decision and stick to it. No one has any idea of the enormous wnount of work which the Wellington seciety has done for listeners in New Zealand, and they never will honestly realise what our president, Mr. J. H. (wen, has done. _ The society is entitled to the credit ir having kept the Broadcasting Com-

We LAP MTP ee Fe MEEPS pany up to the mark, and I-am delighted to say to the New Zealand listeners that, in my humble judgment, the company is honestly endeavouring to do its best to meet the wishes of the vast body of listeners thronghout the Dominion. I for one have said and written some very strong remarks about the company and its affairs. I believed, and still believe, there was just cause for action on behalf of the listeners. Still, we must be reasonable now, and give credit when and where it is due; and I place cn record the fact that the general manager, Mr. A. R. Harris, is, in my judgment, fully alive to the fact that listeners will demand from him the best possible service that can be obtained for the limited capital available with which to provide the broadcasting service. I have been in very close touch with the company and its staff for some considerable time, aud am now convinced that the past activities of the Wellington society, and for that matter all socielies, throughout New Zealand haye not been in vain. Taranaki complains that 2Y\ cannot he heard to advantage; Wangaiui says 2Y¥YA comes in good; someone else will say some other station comes in good. What can we do? The suggestion is made that 2YA should test ont on Auckland’s wavelength. With this idea I heartily agree, and I hope the test will take place shortly. It must be remembered experts decided upon the existing wavelengths with full consideration to

| from 2VA. fit therefrom; and radio is available, practically speaking, just when you teners is: Support your local ‘isteners’ Australian wavelengihs; and we must not forget that important point. Wellington possesses a very fine transmission station, supplied "by the Standard ‘Telephones and Cables, Ltd., and as time goes on various ‘improyemess, or, rather, a better uderstanding of the will be obtained by the engineers responsihle for the control of the station. It snust he borne in mind that every piece of mechanism requires experimenting with, and T haye no donbt but what even better results will be obtained The service is not perfect, the transniission likewise, but perfection comes with knowledge ‘and usage. Listeners will find the coming winter months full of real pleasure from broadcasting, and I advise everyone who has not provided his home with a receiving set to get busy, even if it be a modest crystal. I urge all farmers to provide themselves with a receiving set, as they are the ones who will receive the greatest benefit from radio broadcasting. Farmers who have not listened-in on their own set have no idea at all of the enormous benefit to be derived from listening-in. I confess I have made a hobby of tadio, atid have received untold benefeel like listening-in. If you don't want it, just leave your set turned offsurely that is simple enough. T admit the Government should make it possible for licensees to pay half-yearly, or even quarterly, if desired. No doubt this will be ‘rectified shortly. "All things come to those who wait.’ We have not waited very long, A few short years, and now we hear from all over the world. My final to New Zealand lissociety; if not a member, join to-day. "Your local society deserves your support, and much good will come from your so joining.

R. LESLIE

JONES

Wellington,