Rugby Matches will be Broadcast

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 40, 17 April 1930, Page 5

Rugby Matches will be Broadcast

: "Decision Reached by Union

OU. know that a_ certain amount of controversy has gone on," said Mr, 8S. &. Dean, in introducing the subject. He pointed out that the New Zealand Rugby Uniow would not lose any money by the broadcasting of matches, but the loss would be suffered by the various unions. For instance, when a match, say, in Dunedin was broadcast it would be found that the "sports" in other places would stop at home and listen in. (Cries of "Yas" and "No"). The Management ‘oyamittee, after mature consideration, -he said, thought that as the Broadcasting company was so solicitious of the listeners-in, and being a commercial concern, it should do ‘something’ towards having the privilege. The company, Mr. Dean considered, might just as reasonably come along to any theatre, boxing match, etc., and ask to broadeast without giving anything for it. Why should they pick on the Rugby Union alone? he asked. He was not opposed to broadcasting, in fact, liked it very much indeed. But he thought the broadcasting people were asking for something which was not altogether reasonable. If they wanted the facilities they should pay something for'them. At the present time they were making improvements and spending plenty of money. -~ If they made a donation to the Rugby Union the money would be used for the provision of sets in charitable institutions, orphanages, and hospitals. "We know the people of New Zealand want the broadcasting," he said, "but we say the Broadcasting Company is a commercial concern and should pay for the benefit it receives." A reply from the broadcasting Company intimated that the company could not meet the union in the matter of making a donation, since it claimed to provide certain benefits so far, as deserving institutions were eoncerned. Up With the Times. R. H. H. Sterling (Hawke’s Bay) claimed that the broadcasting business was a very vital one from the

’ point of view of the Rugby code. He moved: ; . "(a) That it be decided that the matches with the British team under the jurisdiction of this union be broadcast, and (b) that it be a recommendation to the provincial unions that their matches with the British team be also broadcast." In the means of communication with people unable to see matches, said Mr. Sterling, there had been a radical change, brought about by broadcasting. It would not be keeping pace with the times if the union did not recognise the change taking place and place the people'in the position of being able to get détails of matches per medium -of. the new order. It was a duty of the Rugby Union to give service to the people. That note had been struck by Mr. Dean during some remarks earlier in the meeting, and it might well be kept in mind in considering the question of broadcasting. Mr. Sterling did not think there was any doubt that, financially and from the point of view. of the good of the game generally, the British tour was going to be of great advantage to New Zealand Rugby Unions. ’ Disadvantages Outweighed. N the event of matches being broadcasted some people might stop away and listen in, but he claimed that the advantages to be gained from broadcasting easily outweighed the disadvantages. There could be no question of sincerity arising so far as the Broadeasting Company was concerned. The argument: that they should pay seemed to him to be a good deal more plausible than sound. Facilities were provided for the © reporting of matches, but the union never inquired into. the profits of those concerns about the matches. He pointed out that the Broadcasting Company was faced with considerable expense. As to the question of a donation for the hospitals, Mr. Sterling said that the disinterested onlooker might well. doubt the union’s sincerity im the matter, The. amount of the donation when distributed over the

Dominion would, in any case, be negligible. "Let us give service to ‘the people by broadcasting the matches which they ,are unable to see," Mr. Sterling concluded. "The quantity of service ‘we ‘can give, the prestige to be gained, and the satisfaction given to the people will be so great as to outweigh any disadvant- . ages in having attendances at other matches slightly affected, even if that should eventuate." i, In seconding the motion, Mr. M. Dayvitt (Waikato) said that the people who

could not see at least a Test were entitled to receive the best consideration that could be given by the Rugby Union. Charging a Fee. N amendment was moved by Mr. 8. F, Wilson (Canterbury), "That this meeting approves of the action of the Management Committee in charging the Broadcasting Company a fee." He pointed out, in the course of his remarks, that the British team was not being brought out for the benefit of the listeners-in, and he was absolutely certain that the broadcasting of the games was going to have a serious effect upon the "gates" of the various unions. . At the suggestion of Mr. J. Prendeville (Wellington) the amendment

was altered to read as follows :-"That this meeting of delegates is in sympathy with the listeners-in in their desire to have the matches broadcast, but approves the action of the Management Committee in requiring some consider-. ation for the privilege and leaves the arrangement of the details in the hands of the Management Committee." He considered that the Broadcasting Company was no more rendering a service than any ofher commercial concern, He did not see why it should use Rugby without paying some consideration for the privilege. . While people would go to the matches in their particular centres, they would stay at home and: listen-in when the matches were played elsewhere. In. Wellington’s ease he ventured to say that when the first three Tests were being. played it would mean a drop in the gate takings of anything up to £200. He urged upon the minor unions to consider what the effect would be upon their income. One of the biggest inducements for the listeners-in ‘in taking out licences was the fact that they could get sports news over the air, but he did not see | why the company was concerned only | with Rugby, and not racing, boxing, ete.

Voices: "Boxing is broadcast." One way of dealing with the position, Mr. Prendeville suggested, was to give the Broadcasting Company the privilege of sending special representatives to the matches to get full details which could be given over the air between the close of the. match and 6 o’clock. He certainly thought that if broadcasting were permitted, the company should pay a fee, , Mr. J. McLeod (Taranaki) submitted that the vital question was what effect it would have on the public if the Broadcasting Company was refused permission to broadcast the matches. "We cannot afford to have a psychological knockback on this matter, I don’t think we are concerned with the Broadcasting Company, but with the people as a whole," he said. (Continued on page 32.)

An important decision was made at the last meeting of the _ delegates to the’ N.Z. Rugby . Union when ‘they announced that the matches toe be played in connection with the English . tour were to be broadcast. This marked the conclusion of a much-debated subject, and it is felt that the decision meets with wide approval. Ee Sy ey

Rugby Broadcasting ( Concluded from page 3.) ‘ Mr. Tamihori (Hast Coast) and other delegates also endorsed the sentiments expressed by Mr. McLeod in favour of the matches being broadcast. Mr. Colquhoun (Manawhenua) said that he considered broadcasting must be to the benefit of Rugby football in New Zealand, The matter should not be allowed to dégenerate’ into a question of £ s. .d. , Greatest Good to the Greatest N er. R. A. ST. OC. BELCHER (Auckland) said that so far as his union was concerned, it was entirely in favour of broadcasting, but he thought that the suggestion put forward by Mr. Prendeville was one that should be consider-, ed. Mr, McFarlane (East Coast) con‘tended that broadcasting had proved to be a very fine advertising medium. "Why not do the greatest good to the greatest number and give the country people a chance?". he said. In the course of his reply, Mr. Sterling said that there was undoubtedly a clamour for broadcasting which had to be listened to. In considering the question he had endeavoured to think it out on the lines mentioned by Mr. McLeod. If they withheld’ the. service from the public, what was’ going to be the’ effect on the game? ‘The case in favour of broadcasting, in ‘his opinion, was overwhelming. © °° Mr. Prendeville’s amendment was lost, and a further amendment by Major’ King (Wellington) that only the Test’ matches should’ be broadcast was also not supported by a ‘majority. After some further: discussion, Mr. Sterling’s motion was ‘then put to the meeting, and it was carried, section (b) ‘being deleted. -- --- Mr. Harris’s Comments. S EN by a representative of the ‘'"Hyening Post,’ relative to the decision of the delegates: to the N.Z. Rugby: Union, Mr. Harris, general manager of the Broadcasting: Company, said that naturally he was very pleased with the decision to allow the broadcasting of the matches to be played by the British Rugby team in New Zealand. He felt that it would be accorded the warm approbation,of Rugby enthusiasts from one end of the Dominion to the other. Broadcasting would assuredly prove to be in the best interests of the national game. "I notice," said Mr. Harris, "that in the course of the discussion one of the delegates referred to broadcasting as ‘a phase of social evolution which —

has come to stay.’ No one is likely to challenge the accuracy of that statement. Therefore, it seems to me, th every organisation whose purpose . the promotion of clean and wholesome sport should recognise this fact and seek every opportunity to turn this great service to useful account. There has been some suggestion that the broadcasting of the big matches will adversely affect the ‘gates’ of provincial unions. Taking the broad view I do not think this is:in the least likely; but, even if it were there is no reason why.the unions themselves should not take advantage of the broadcasts to keep patrons of. local games posted as to the progress of any big game which may be being played at some other centre while their own game is being played, Details of the scoring in the big game-could be given to th@‘assembled crowd at Half-time and afpin after the final whistle. This can we done by means of either an ampliner or megaphone, while the scores as received could either be put up on a notice board. By this means the broadcasts can be used to provide an additional attraction for the local matches. The number of unlicensed listeners to every sporting broadcast of a national character is many times in excess of the number of our licensed listeners; but we do not refrain from broadcasting on that score. Rather are we pleased because of the evidence iit affords of the value of the broadcast service to the community. I just want to say, in conclusion, how very much the Company appreiates the sporting and public-spirited attitude of the delegates of the New Zealand Rugby Union. That their decision will be more than justified a by the ultimate influence of the broadcasts I have not the slighest doubt. They have: placed the interests of the great Rugby public first, and for so doing they will assuredly . reap a rich harvest of grateful appreciation." »