Empire Broadcasting

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 14, 17 October 1930, Page 5

Empire Broadcasting

OMB weeks back we mentioned that proposals would be submitted to the Imperial Conference for the establishment of a broadcasting station to serve Empire needs on a shortwave length. It was understood that the Colonial Office was prepared to find a capital sum of approximately £23,000 for the erection and maintenance of a station to be run by the technicians of the B.B.C. The subject was raised before the Imperial Conference by Mr. Forbes presenting a remit originally passed by the Wellington Amateur Radio Society urging the erection of an Hmpire broadcasting station. According to cabled reports the discussion revealed that this was practically impossible at present for financial and technical reasons, but the committee was awaiting the views of the B.B.C. experts. The cost of a station capable of broadcasting reliably over the whole Bmpire would, it was stated, be enormous, and could only be partly met by Britain, Jeaving the Dominions and colonies to contribute the balance. The general

financial position throughout the Empire at present made the possibilities of Parliaments voting grants rather remote. The report stated that the colonies had only 3000 listeners. This would apparently mean 3000 listeners on shortwave, as the total number of listeners is immeasurably greater than the figure given. The. discussion is announced to be continued next week. The full reports when available will prove interesting to New Zealand listeners.