Radio Licenses Renewals

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 47, 5 June 1931, Page 5

Radio Licenses Renewals

Drop Representing 25 Per Cent. THE license figures for the end of April are to hand and reveal the fact that the total number renewed was 46,875, of which 595 are dealers’. This represents drops of 17,460 and 684 respectively on the figures for March 31; the percéntages are just over 25 in the case of © the grand totals and just over 50 in the case of dealers’. It is interesting to look back at previous returns and see how the figures compare with this year. In 1930, before the licenses fell due, there was a total of 54,800 odd, but only 40,000 renewed, representing a percentage decrease of 25 per cent. The dealers’ figures fell from nearly 1200 to 740, a percentage of 35. The year previous there had been approximately 45,000 at the end of the year and 36,500 odd renewed-18 per cent. not renewing. | These figures are interesting and illuminating, particularly in view of the severe economic depression and taking into account the fact that of the number who have not renewed very many intend to and will-do so within the next few weeks. This has been the practice of large numbers in previous years, and will undoubtedly prove to be the case this year. The fact that the same percentage renewed this year as last shows that the depression is having little or no effect on the radio listener, and it may be confidently expected that within a short time the previous total of 60,000 odd will be attained and passed. Times, however, are hard with many of the dealers, particularly with the smaller ones and those who run a radio in conjunction with another business. The drop of 50 per cent. is a big one and has been equalled only when the increased fees came into force a couple of years back. The disappearance of the smaller dealer is to a large extent due to the falling-off of the sales of batteries and parts and the growth of the mail-order systems. Following are the detailed figures for Apri! 30, while underneath are the figures for March 31 :-

District. Reers, Dealers. Trns. and special. Free. Auckland .00c000 14,776 192 71 — 84. Canterbury .00000 7,238 118 60 — 36 . Otago e©27g0000000 5,498 85 27 — 24. Wellington ...... 18,330 200 | 94 3 39 45,842 595 252 3 183 Total: 46,875. Bxper. District. Recrs. Dealers Trns. and special. ree. Auckland ...... » 18,913 312 94. 2 101 Canterbury ...... 10,486 263 61 2 56 Otago ....ce0000 7,095 188 45 2 35 Wellington ...... 25,968 . 516 136 6 54 62,462 1,279 336 246 Expe 12 Total: 64,335.