"The Sun," Christchurch

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 7, 28 August 1931, Page 10

"The Sun," Christchurch

ITH the expiry of the Government’s agreement with the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand, the question of the future control

of broadcasting is now one of nationg! importance. ...It is not impossible the Post and Telegraph Department could control broadcasting efficiently, but at the present time it is undesirable that the State should be saddled with further business enterprises. If by unhappy’ chance Government control of broadcasting was not quite satisfactory, there would be financiai liabilities that would in some way haye to be borne by the people. It has been proved that ‘a private cOmpany has been able ‘to: give listeners-in a gooil seryice, and there is. not the slightest reason, Why that company or its successor should not be allowed to develop further the services of which it has had such extensive. experience, subject, of course, to the safeguarding of public interest. The Post and Telegraph Department in the first place would have to learn. for itself what the company already knows, and until the Crit ment did acquire that ‘knowledge the service which is now so good would undoubtedly suffer. This consideration apart,

public opinion must. be definitely against the Government taking over an unnecessary. liability,. even if only. on the one ground that State control dees not necessarily guarantee an efficient or profitable Service. , Since the Broadeasting Company is the body that has had the experience of all the problems of broadcasting, it is sensible that its’ suggestions shoul carry most weight. . . .It is stated that the proposals outlined to-day are being considered by Cabinet. Their adoption would ensure the further development of broadcasting in the Dominio\,and at-the same time give listene¥s themselves an opportunity to take’ a share in the control of an organisation which is designed primai ily to be of service to the public.