Business Reasons are Opposed.

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 23, 21 December 1928, Page 4

Business Reasons are Opposed.

{= is not necessary at this stage: to go any more fully into the question than we have done. It will be obvious to listeners that the business reasons against the diffusion of their money are unassailable, In round figures some £50,000 per annum is available on the present basis for the maintenance and operation of the YA stations and the provision of programmes, Experience shows that the provision of the necessary equipment and its operation absorb approximately 75 per cent. te 80 per cent. of all broadcast stations’ revenue, leaving 20 per cent. to 25 per cent. for the provision of programmes. The stage is now being reached in New Zealand where practically all additional revenue received can be applied to better programmes. ‘To raid the central fund and divert a few thousands here and a few thousans there in subsidising unnecessary new stations, merely duplicating the plant and equipment of a central station, would throw back the possibility of programme improvement for years. If a beginning is made with subsidising one firm merely because it wishes to achieve publicity on the air through a transmitting station, then there will be no saying where it is to . end. If to one business firm, why not to another? The end simply would be diffusion without efficiency. In fairness to country friends a distinction must be drawn between city and provincial stations. A station such as 2ZF as maintained in Palmerston North by the Manawatu Radio Club commands our sympathy, as it is in a totally different class from a_ business station erected by a city firm. It undoubtedly renders a service to its district and furthers radio. It is in large measure fulfilling the function of a relay station as contemplated in the original scheme between the Government and the Broadcasting Company. The original scheme contemplated provision being made for suitable expansion in rural centres as time and finance permitted, ang that stage is now drawing perceptibly nearer.