BANNING OF RACE BROADCASTS

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 4, 10 August 1928, Page 9

BANNING OF RACE BROADCASTS—

Future Intentions of the C omparny SOME correspondence has been passing. between the Broadcasting Company and the Secretary of the Racing and Trotting Conferences regarding the broadcasting of races. The resolutions passed by the Conferences seemed to indicate that while broadcasting from the course during the running of. the races would be prohibited, the Company would be extended the same facilities as are enjoyed by the newspaper Press, the Conference suggesting that the report prepared by its representative should be read out at the evening session. --- Jn order to clear the position, the Broadcasting Company then "wrote asking if, by offering the facilities enjoyed by the Press, it was intended that the Broadcasting Company’s representative on the ground could have the use of the telephone for the purpose of communicating to the studio immediately after each race a report, of the running ‘and result of that race, such being the procedure followed by the representatives of the evening newspapers, which immediately publish. the news, : The racing authorities have now. replied, however, making it quite clear that the intention of the Racing and Trotting Conferences was to prohibit, entirely, during the afternoon, the broadcasting of results. N acknowledging this letter the Broadcasting Company points out how extraordinary it is that the Racing and Trotting Conferences should place such restrictions on the Company when all other medium of communication are allowed to broadeast the results of events immediately they are available. The Company also points out how ridiculous it would be to broadcast at the evening session, say, the result of the Grand National Steeplechase, or the New Zealand Cup, hours after every newspaper or follower of racing has already had the information. In the circumstances, the letter continues, the Broadcasting Company.cannot avail itself of the offer by the Conferences so long as it includes the obligation not to broadcast results till the evening session, a stipulation which the Conference has neither the right nor the power to enforce. The Broadcasting Company therefore intimates that it proposes to broadcast for the benefit of listeners such racing {nformation as it has a legal right to broadcast, and that it will broadcast it as soon as it is available.

f ‘ Pa VERY heavy programme of sporting events faces the stations, and particularly 8YA, next week. Representative Rugby fixtures are now in full swing, in addition to which the second League Test match will be played, important boxing contests will be decided, and race meetings held. } It has been a matter for much regret among all sport lovers that the racing and trotting authorities have banned broadeast descriptions. The veto will, of course, considerably mar the pleasure which was derived by those who were unable to attend the meetings, but the Broadcasting Company proposes, in consequence of the decision of the Racing and Trotting Conferences, to supply such information as it is able to do at the earliest possible moment. Its special effort will be directed to securing and broadcasting the results of the various events with such descriptions of the races as are ayailable. If the service be not as complete or as entertaining as it has hitherto been, listeners can rest assured that the Broadcasting Company is exerting its best efforts’ to continue a service which is so popular and so much appreciated by thousands of listeners. As has. been’ published . in the daily papers, Racing and Trotting Conferences when banning broadcast descriptions of races, agreed to afford the Broadcasting Company the same facilities as are enjoyed by the newspapers. It was suggested that the Broadcasting "\ Company should send along a repre‘sentative to make notes on the running of the various races, and that his report should be read out during the evening news session. From the point of view of broadcasting, this offer is no concession at all, for alt the information could all be obtained by the Broadcasting Company from the evening newspapers. The aim of the Broadeasting Company is to supply the names of the winners as quickly as possible to those who want the results, and to make the occasion as interesting an attraction as possible to listeners-in who are not greatly concerned as to which horses win or lose. The cancellation of broadcasts as the races proceed deprives every one of the excitement of "witnessing" a race through the eyes of the announcer, but the Broadcasting Company proposes to use its best endeavours to provide listeners at any rate with the results as soon as possible after the numbers go up. With that end in view 3YA will be on the air from the first race to the last during the coming racing and trotting meetings in Christchurch.

Views of Listeners

An Emphatic Protest. AS a holder of a radio license, I wish to express my emphatic proast . against the arbitrary . attitude Rien up by the New Zealand Racing "nd Trotting Conferene in prohibiting the broadcasting of racing and trotting. When‘ one sees that the resolution was carried "unanimously," it makes one wonder whether there are any’ men left with opinions of their own, as apparently, when they get on

these committees, they loose all independence (if they ever had any) and just vote as the president may dictate to them. We are to-day living in an age when radia is in its infancy, and any advance whatever for the encouragement of its use should be supported and not smothered without reasonable consideration, as has been done in this instance. I wish the conferences would only give themselves time to think of the injustice they were doing to many lonely backblock pioneers and their families by banning from them- the modest pleasure of the hearing the broadcast of racing and trotting. As for their absurd reason, viz., that it facilitates and encourages betting with bookmakers, I have never heard such piffle." If they really do want to prosecute bookmakers, why not apply to the Justice Department to instruct their officers to take action. It would be the simplest of matters to get as many convictions as they require.; Instead of banning broadcasting as a means to preventing bookmaking, as they wish to imply. Would it: not be just as reasonable to ask the Government to suspend all telegraph and exchange connections on race days? ‘This, I think, would be more effective, and perhaps meet the ends of their absurd endeavours in afar more effective way than

the paltry and arbitrary attitude of "canning" broadcasting.--I am, etc, Bed-stricken Backblocks., What of Sick Soldiers? JN perusing your valued and appreciated journal, the "Radio Record," allow me to congratulate you on your articles, editorially and otherwise, on the great topic at present being discussed by all listeners, viz., the ban on racing an trotting broadcasts. The articles written coincided exactly with my views, and I feel sure you will receive letters in due course, expressing appreciation. The conference dropped a "bombshell," and again the public have to suffer. Bookmakers do not depend on radio for their information, and the ban, as far as they are concerned, will be of no consequence. They certainly obtain the results over the air from a relay, but what would prove more beneficial to them, they cannot obtain, namely, the dividends. The bookmakers have a great organisation, and even in this city have their own union, efficiently controlled by a president, secretyz8, Cte, and meetings are held regularly in their well-appointed quarters. The racing broadcasts have tended to increase interest in. racing, and no listener would be content to listen to.a deseription over the air from a

local meeting, umess circumstances prevented him from being present. As to the business community suffering on account of racing relays, it is ridiculous. The conference have failed miserably to weight the facts before them, with the result that thousands of listeners haye to suffer. Even the true Wairarapa sportsman, W. Hi. Bidwill, Esq., was in favour of the _ broadeasts, but apparently his hands were tied, and he had to follow the wish of his colleagues. To a great many people’s surprise, Sir George Clifford approved of the report by Inspector Ward. Sir George Clifford, a breeder of the thoroughbred, a lover of horse-flesh, "the great old man of the New Zealand Turf," failed to appreciate what radio has done for the sport, and what benefits clubs have derived therefrom. tT know three men (yes, returned soldiers) who have not been off their back for eleven years, who were "smashed up" in the big fight, men who previously were worthy patrons of the racing clubs, but now have to depend on radio to bring in some of the thrilling contests of yore. I visited them yesterday, and it would have brought tears to the eye to have listened to their story. I can imagine Sir George and his colleagues lying on their back in hospital, they, owners of equines, listening per medium of radio to their horses’ deeds, the excitement -and interest being caused, and then-no more radio broadcasts of racing, because it is playing strongly into the hands of an illegal fraternity, and encouraging people to gamble away from the course. No, the Racing Conference or the police will never stop the bookmaker, as long as a racecourse remains. Has the Racing Conference done anything to cope with the bookmaker? Why should they interfere in any case. This matter should be looked to by the nolice. not the conference. Are

they going to stop the Heeney-Tumney fight, or the All Blacks’ tour,, because the bookmakers are laying the odds? Further, how many meetings are being relayed annually? Auckland, Christchurch, Weliington, and Dunedin. How do the bookmakers receive their "information" on the smalls? No. Sir George, reconsider the matter, and bring some happiness to many poor innocent souls, who are lying in hospital, in the backblocks, miles away from towns, who have never seen, probably, a race meeting, but who are thrilled by the description. I hope, Sir, that your valued columns will keep this very important matter before listeners, and I feel confident that the conference, if recommendations were placed before them by the cohmpany, on listeners’ behalf, they would reconsider their decision. -‘A Lover of Sport." Sports are in Tears, MANY THANKS for the relay of the big fight on Friday. It came in quite all right. I had 40 visitors to listen in, and spent a very happy afternoon. The poor sports are almost in tears, because of no more races on the air. "We were looking forward for Grand National week from 8YA. Hivery race meeting we spent such happy hours together, it made life se different in the country, and was «a

great boon. to. radio.-

S.

F.

, Uiautau. .