EDITORIAL.
LISTENERS will read with interest the comprehensive comment on radio matters made by Mr. J. H. Owen, former president of the Wellington Amateur Radio Society, in the course of an interview published elsewhere in this issue. Mr. Owen has made several journeys abroad, and on every occasion has devoted special attention to radio development. On this occasion, as on earlier trips, Mr. Owen made a prime point of making contact with radio transmission and development wherever possible. His criticism and comment on the position, therefore, have a value greater than that of the casual observer. Whole-hearted endorsement of the system of unified national control is given by Mr. Owen. Specially asked for a comparison between the British method and that developed by America, Mr. Owen says that there is simply no comparison, and that the British method of unity and cohesion is the one and only way by which a comprehensive broadcasting scheme can be developed and maintained. In Britain the system is acministered by the British Broadcasting Corporation, as successors to the former British Broadcasting Company. In New Zealand development has been entrusted to the private enterprise of an individual company, under strict Government regulation and control. In each case the principle ‘of unified control, under a system of revenue contributed by the license fees of listeners, maintains the service. The advantages that Mr. Owen finds in this development are wholly in favour of the listener. The listener is given the best in musical entertainment that is possible. He is given an adequate news service, and beyond that, the attempt is made to use the radio as an instrument of culture and entertainment in the furtherance of national well-being. The demerits of the American system lie wholly in the undue dominance of the advertiser, and the superfluity of stations.. Musical numbers are given over the air, but too frequently as bait for the boosting of commercial products or companies. There is no unified effort to distribute news or extend cultural talks. Further, there is chaos on the air in undue competition between station and station. Unquestionably much of great value is broadcast to listeners in America by the stations that are operating, but the listener, it is held, pays an undue price in intereference and the arduous duty of selection imposed upon those seeking to avoid insidious advertising. Nothing stronger has been said, or, we think, can be said, against the proposal to unleash in New Zealand certain stations with the right to exploit the air for advertising purposes. "God help: New Zealand," says Mr. Owen, "if either stations or amateurs are allowed to exploit advertising." The merit of Mr. Owen's considered opinion lies in the fact that he is concerned only with the results from the listener's point of view. IJe has no end to serve save the good of the general body of listeners who provide the funds for radio. We commend his opinion to listeners in general.
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Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 39, 12 April 1929, Page 6
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492EDITORIAL. Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 39, 12 April 1929, Page 6
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