Unhappy Plight of 2YB

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 52, 11 July 1930, Page 9

Unhappy Plight of 2YB

Financial Stringency Threatens Grave Difficulties

a \e "THERE can be no doubt that the : presence of a broadcasting station in Taranaki is a great asset to the pro vince. No better advertisement can be had for a town, province or country than a broadcasting station that ful. fills a definite service to its listeners. The publicity that: New Zealand receiv ed in connection with the Byrd broadcasts is an outstandirg example of th« place broadcasting is taking to-day. Since the initial enterprise of tl« Taranaki Radio Society, in securing « broadeasting plant. and -gettirg it or the air, New Plymouth has been mucl in the limelight. Many listeners havc appreciated thé concerts and sporting relays that have been broadcast by this little station. The plant, the property of the Radio . Broadeastirg Company, is kept in order and operated by an engineer in. the service of the R.B.C,, and the R.B.C, makes an annual-grant of £100. Other than this ‘the Radio Society looks to local support to provide funds for the relay lines, rent and maintenance. THE burden of .the work of running the station falls on the shoulders of mainly a voluntary staff. There is the station director, who is in charge of the station at all times, An announcer has te be provided, and this position is usually taken by the station director. In addition there must be a station secretary, whose duty is to note in the station log particulars of everything broadcast from the station. There is a programme director, an official accompaniste and a director for the children’s session with a staff of "uncles" and "aunts." Further, there is a technical director ard an operator. Sometimes these two offices are combined, but for relays a larger technical staff is necessary. Finally there is a staff of messengers. At a well-attended meeting of the Taranaki Radio Society some interesting facts were brought to light. The second anrual report stated that the year had closed with a membership of 168. The year had ended with a small eredit, while the assets of the society had been built up to £134. Most of the society’s efforts had been directed toward the affairs of 2YB and they had had the fullest co-operation of the ‘.Radio Broadcasting Company. The programmes were generally admitted to be of a high quality. The society were indebted to Messrs. Collier for the free use of their premises, but arrangements had to be made for new premises. The rental of these and the cost involved in shifting would absorb a great deal of their funds in the coming year. Purchase of plant accounted for expenditure of £24, special relays £18, rental of permanent relay and telephone lines £32, and studio lighting £22, The only liabilities were £14 owing to sundry creditors. Studio furniture and fittings, with cash in hard and money owing, brought the assets to £148/15/3. HEN the danger hanging over the station was realised, and the prospect that it would probably go off the air in a few days, the citizens came

to the aid of the society. At the annual general meeting it was unanimously decided that, in face of the odds the station would carry on. . A strong representative citizens’ committee was set up to arrange -satisfactory finances for the maintenance of the station. The outlook of this committee is not promising unless accorded the fullest support of the district. Summing up

the position, the elected president, Mr. Davis, said the position was that the society estimated the income in the future at £160 a year, and the expenditure at £260. The increase was largely due to the need for paying rent. In addition, this year the society had to spend an extra sum of £50 for refitting its studio or, if it moved into other quarters, £50 for removal and furnish-

ing. This year it would have to méet an excess expenditure over receipts. of a minimum of £150, and for each of the next two years the sum of £100. Calling for support at the meeting, the president was promised quite a few donations. The rest is left to the finance committee, But even then the committee fates difficulties. It is a pity that so deserving a cause as a local broadcasting station should be left to chance. That the station is appreciated is testified to by the large number of letters that have been received from all parts of the country, and even abroad. ° The philanthropic efforts of a handful of radio enthusiasts is doing a great deal for the province. With no per sonal end in view, the personnel of the society have done wonders with this project. They have spread the fame of their province to the four winds, and the thousands who have listened-in to their excellént station lose sight of the fact that it is the society who is broadcasting. To them it is the New Plymouth station, and Taranaki re eeives the publicity and the community _ in general reaps the advantage. Then there are the numerous crystal and small set owners in the district whe could not be listeners other than through 2YB. Surely this is a case for provincial if not national support.