SIXTY THOUSAND LISTENERS THIS WINTER.

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 44, 17 May 1929, Page 6

SIXTY THOUSAND LISTENERS THIS WINTER.

N optimistic note is struck by our Auckland correspondent in his notes this week. He states that Auckland dealers are enjoying a particularly good demand for radio apparatus, that renewals of licenses by old listeners are maintaining a high level, and that in addition large numbers of new listeners are being enrolled. So satisfactory is the position in general that Auckland dealers are anticipating a steady expansion throughout the winter, and one at least goes on record as holding the view that an increase of approximately 50 per cent. on the present total is feasible by the end of the winter. THIS is an encouraging note to strike. It is in that atmosphere that expansion takes place, and this note from the northern city may be taken as a refreshing lead by the rest of the Dominion. The Auckland Radio Society recently formed is putting a great deal of vigour and enterprise into its work, and is encouraging the develop-, ment of an aggressive pro-radio atmosphere. This enterprise is a fit accompaniment to the progressive spirit being shown by the Radio Broadcasting Company in introducing steadily improved programmes, new voices of quality, and enterprise in coverage of public events such as the opening of the Waikato Winter Show and the longdistance relay from Invercargill to Christchurch. With the effort made to provide a suitable coverage of public events, as well as maintaining the musical programmes at full strength, the broadcasting service will certainly take rank as something to which every person of standing should be a contributor. The striking thing about broadcasting is this: that each extra 30s. raises the general standard. When the revenue is £40,000 per annum, each licensee participates for his 30s. in a £40,000 service. When the broadcasting revenue is £60,000 per annum, then for the same money the listener receives a vastly improved service. It is, therefore, very important, even from the selfish point of view, that each listener should endeavour to enrol others; for, by so doing, he is directly serving his own ends by making it possible to enjoy better and better service. SCEPTICISM must attach to the message from Invercargill that ' g Ycal istyentor there had managed to evolve a successful static ifiminaser. We recov# elsewhere the measures we took to secure full information of that device on the announcement being made. Our correspondent in Invercargill, after diligent inquiry, has found

himself quite unable to locate either the inventor or the invention, nor can he secure from the Patent Offices any indication as to such a device having been registered. In the circumstances, suspicion . attaches to the announcement until the inventor, whoever he is, comes forward and receives that merit of fame and financial reward to which he would be entitled on substantiation of the claims made. If the thing is a hoax, we cannot imagine what good purpose has been served by giving publicity to the extravagant statements made. If, on the other hand, the inventor, whoever he is, has achieved a genuine success, we specifically invite him to make good the claims adyanced. PTT TTT TTT