FIRST RADIO EXHIBITION.

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 3, 2 August 1929, Page 6

FIRST RADIO EXHIBITION.

J[T is pleasing that the first Radio Exhibition held in New Zealand, as staged in the Wellington Town Hall on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of last week, was an outstanding success. In the course of the three days upwards of 7000 people visited the exhibition. Their desire was probably a double-barrelled one. In the first place they sought to see the very latest development in modern radio apparatus. and in this field there was an infinite variety for their instruction and entertainment. In the second place a definite lure was provided by the special programmes arranged by 2YA to be broadcast from the temporary studio arranged on the central stage of the Town Hall. Many people unfamiliar with the technique of broadcasting were intrigued to see just how the programmes, which had delighted them in their homes, were put on the air. A factor in this interest, also, ‘was the -wish to behold the performers, and probably the Announcer. as well. So strong indeed was the desire to make the acquaintance of the "Good-night Man" (as Mr. Drummond’ has become known) that many country listeners sought an opportunity of meeting him’ and this led to informal little receptions being held at each of the intervals during the evening sessions and at some of the afternoon sessions. JN declaring the exhibition open, the Hon. J: B. Donald paid a tribute «to the important place in our social life now filled by radio. He touched sympathetically on the programme problem. Undoubtedly, fie said, popular music was first fayourite; but the interests of ‘ the minority required consideration, and therefore the claims, of classical music could not be ignored. His department was in the position of guarding the public interest, and followed with close concern the whole trend of radio development. ‘THE Minister took occasion to compliment the radio. trade upon the: «loyalty displayed by them in observing departmental requirements in-connection with the type of set offered to the public. All receivers sold in the Dominion were first subjected to departmental examination aid approval; and in this connection it was, interesting to note that over 200 different types had been tested. MR. DONALD had a word of advice to give those non-listeners . who were refraining from enjoying the amenities of radio hecause of. the idea that present-day equipment would be displaced in the

near future by better and more efficient apparatus. While not denying that the rate of advance in. radio was such as to create this suspicion, Mr. Donald rightly emphasised that the standard of efficiency now attained was such as to afford the fullest satisfaction to even the most exacting and discriminating taste. He invited those in this category to test the apparatus now available, and see whether they could allow themselves: to continue missing that service now available to them through radio. The same note was struck by Mr. Harris in his. remarks in conveying his apology fot unavoidable absence through pressing business, and by Mr. Ball in the course of a special appeal to listeners. The stabilisation afforded the industry by the efficient modern alternating current set is definitely such as to remove the last doubt as to now being "the time to buy." ~The A.C. set in this field is unrivalled, and of a standard of perfection upon which it is difficult to conceive much improvement can be made. Even in the battery field, the same remark applies. The modern set, judiciously selected for the type of station upon which reliance is to be placed and other local conditions, attains a standard of efficiency which should please the most hypercritical. Because of this, Mreprall made an arresting plea to listeners that they should help themselves to secure even better service than is now obtainable, by inducing others to join the ranks." If each listener, said Mr. Ball, will take upon himself the responsibility of erideavouring to persuade but one other to join, then such an expansion will: take place as to completely. ' revolutionise the present position of radio in New Zealand, favourable as it ‘is. z a | THIS is sound propaganda. We have repeatedly emphasised that. expansion depends upon revenue; that the Company, when it has provided the initial main plants, must look to revenue to provide running expenses; and that, as the revenue for current expenses expands, so the surplus, beyond that required for the necessary operation of the stations, can be devoted to improving the programmes. That is the position in which we now stand. We sincerely hope that the stimulus given by the first Wellington Radio Exhibition will be such as to lead to a progressive movement on the part of all radio interests through; out the Dominion, and that the number of licensed listeners will. before long top. the 50,000-mark. With the Dunedin Exhibition in full swing this week and proposals for exhibitions in Auckland and Christchurch, the future seems propitious for expansion.