DRIVE FOR 100,000 LICENSES.

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 48, 12 June 1931, Page 6

DRIVE FOR 100,000 LICENSES.

JRREMARKS made recently by the Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. B. Donald, as to his hope of achieving in the relatively near future « total of 100,000 licenses, and the inception this week of the Welling- © ton Radio Exhibition with its display of efficient modern sets, makes it timely to launch a definite campaign for the enlargement of the radio circle. It may be some little time before the ultimate objective of 100,000 is reached, but if the boom which radio is enjoying at the present time is continued, that objective may be attained sooner than expected. The broadcasting service has made remarkable strides Year ‘by year, without exception, the number of licenses has expanded, and with the improvement in sets and the standard of transmission, there is not now, as in earlier years, so big a loss. of listeners at the end of the financial year. The modern set, once installed, makes it true to say, "Once a listener, always a listener." . TN recent years two outstanding developments have. characterised ‘radio, and two more loom in the near future. The outstanding developments from which we now derive benefit are: First, the perfection of electrical gramophone recordings, and accompanying efficiency in radio transmission. The second is the attainment of measurable efficiency in recording actual overseas broadcast programmes for re-transmission in these parts. Both of these developments have contributed in recent months to the expanding popularity of radio. lt is interesting to recall in this connection that several years back, when gramophone records were transmitted fromthe YA stations, listeners: were inclined to complain. To-day the complaint is reversed. Listeners in general would almost prefer high-class overseas recording from world artists to an undue preponderance of local talent. "THE major.developments expected in the future are: First, the transmission from the heart of the Empire of short-wave broadcast descriptions of outstanding events, their reception here in New Zealand, and immediate re-broadcast, or, in order to secure a wider audience. the recording of them for re-presentation at a time more suitable to

fo New Zealand listeners. This possibility is by no means imaginary, and will be a practical attainment, we predict, in the next few years. The other development which also lies within the immediate lap of the future is television on a practical basis. Cablegrams during the week recorded that a number of British listeners saw the running of the classical Derby through Baird’s television apparatus and an experimental transmission by the British Broadcasting Corporation, Practical success was attained, thus bringing the attainment of Baird’s ideal to pass in a period shorter than was imagined would be required. PAST achievements and present prospects, therefore, add a glamour to radio which should make the attainment of New Zealand’s goal of 100,000 licenses relatively easy. Sets are now being sold on the local market equipped for the addition of television apparatus. The number of short-wave enthusiasts, eager to tap overseas transmissions, is steadily expanding. As technical efficiency grows, the ordinary listener will be enabled, by adequate recordings, to egjoy direct contact with world events with his present apparatus. The exhibition, fostered by the Wellington radio trade this week, will give the general a glowing opportunity of visualising the possibilities of radio. hat exhibition, it can safely be predicted, will be successful, in view of the special. organisation concentrated upon its presentation. With the initial impulse thus given, and spread throughout the whole country by reason of. both the times and the perfection of radio apparatus, it is. likely that the goal held as a common objective by the PostmasterGeneral and the Radio Broadcasting Company, which has pioneered the present service to its current standard, will be speedily attained.