AUSTRALIAN PROGRAMMES.

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 51, 5 July 1929, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN PROGRAMMES.

LISTENERS will have been interested in the full details we published last week as to the plans of the successful tenderers to the Commonwealth Government’s new broadcasting system. As is well known, the Australian Government has taken over the plant of the ‘existing radio stations throughout the Commonwealth. Its purpose is to maintain these stations at a high standard of efficiency, and make itself responsible for the provision of further stations as occasion demands, the aim being to provide over three years a regular chain of broadcasting and relay stations throughout Australia sufficient to cover the needs of the population. The Government, however, purposes to divide responsibilities in connection with broadcasting. While t itself will be responsible for the capital expenditure and maintenance of the stations, it proposes to sub-let the provision of programmes, Tenders were called for this right, and the successful tender was that made jointly by Union Theatres, Limited, Fullers’ Theatres, Limited, and J. Albert and Son. This group possesses strong orchestral and programme resources, and, according to the statement made last week by the managing director of Union Theatres, Limited, purposes entering on its duties in a broad spirit. It is indicated that an early move will probably be to borrow a leading programme director from the British Broadcasting Corporation, in order that his advice may be made available under Australian conditions. This is to supplement aseociations already formed in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and s. PERHAPS the most interesting announcement, however, from the New Zealand point of view, is the declaration that it is proposed by the programme: directors to create advisory boards in every State, ‘quite independent of the Government’s Board. These advisory boards will be of, the highest authority in music, education, sport, and feminine interest, and will be able to co-operate with the local stations in securing maximum results. An analogy between this proposal . and that already operative in New Zealand in the form of the voluntary committee system, originated and applied by the New Zealand Radio Broadcasting Company, will be apparent to listeners. It is within our knowledge that the scope and success of the New Zealand advisory committee system has attracted considerable attention in Australia, and requests for detailed particulars of the organisation and application of the system have been frequent. The fact that the system is to

be extended and applied in Australia is the best possible indication of its fundamental soundness, and reflects credit upon this country as having originated the idea of practically co-ordinating the experi guidance of those interested in different pursuits, in order that listeners might benefit, The system, as listeners know, works very well in New Zealand, particularly in relation to church matters, musical matters, and the administration of the children’s sessions. Australia, according to the preliminary announcement; purposes covering slightly wider scope in including education, sport, and feminine interests. Many New Zealand listeners who are possessed of high-powered sets make regular contact with Australia, and therefore the prospective improvement in Australian programmes that is foreshadowed will he welcomed by listeners in this country.