No Football Broadcasts for Canterbury

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 42, 1 May 1931, Page 5

No Football Broadcasts for Canterbury

Union Demands Large Fee T HE Canterbury Rugby Union recently decided that the Broac-. casting Company should be charged a fee for permission to * broadcast matches, and after the matter was discussed in committee by the Union at its last meeting the decision arrived at was that a fee of £500 should be charged in respect to the local competition and. inter-provincial matches. The fee did not cover any matches managed and controlled by the Union on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby Union or other organisation outside of the Canterbury Union. . In commenting to a reporter on the Union’s decision, Mr. A, R. Harris, general manager of the Radio Broadcasting Company, said: "The terms imposed by the Canterbury Union leave nothing more to be said. The Union’s wishes are quite clear, and we leave it at that. Notwithstanding all the arguments which may be advanced and the claims of people unable to attend matches, the Union is resolutely determined that its matches shall not be broadcast. Broadcasting is primarily intended to serve people. who, for reasons of distance, and other reasons beyond their control, are unable to witness the play yet are just as keenly interested as those able to attend. These people should surely be entitled to some consideration by the Rugby Union, and in this regard the Broadcasting Company offered its service without cost to the Union. However, it is evident that the Canterbury Rugby Union does not want its matches broadcast and its terms have been drawn up accordingly."