Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 9, 11 September 1931, Page 6

Our Mail Bag

While we welcome the expressed views of listeners on topics pertaining to radio, we ask that these communications be kept to minimum length, as heavy demands are made upon space. Mere reiteration of arguments cannot be accepted for publication, and we cannot take responsibility for views expressed. Address communications to the Editor, and sign all correspondence, though a nom-de-plume may be used for publication.

Private Enterprise in Broadcasting. I HAVE read with interest the views of various correspondents re YA proadeasting, and cannot believe it is so bad as some state, nor yet so good as the enthusiasts assert. It might have been worse ;it could be better. The quality of available local talent has a strong bearing, which is possibly why many B station programmes are 80 appreciated. Still many listeners must be doubtful if the best use has been made of the talent available. If one may criticise, the principal fault would appear to be lack of enterprise, due to which the same type of purely concert programme, with little relief, comes to us night after night. There seems to be a tendency to fill the evenings with the most easily-obtained material, and of this perhaps the "Octet" at 1YA is an outstanding example. Recentiy an effort has apparently been made to provide interesting lecturettes on a Varlety of subjects, and I know this is being appreciated by many. There has been much talk of B stations advertising, but YA stations are big offenders. A recent talk upon the doings of the 1YA Musical and Dramatic Committee was, in present circumstances, nothing but cleverly camouflaged advertising, not so blatant, I must admit, as many of the talks on N.Z. manufactures. Advertising, like speculation, evidently must be done on a large scale to be successful-small stations cannot get away with it. Regarding the future of N.Z. broadcasting, many listeners will agree that this should not be in the hands of a private company, when the spur of competition is removed by the granting of a monopoly. The necessity for a profit is obviously opposed to the expenditure of the greatest possible amount in equipment and programmes. In this connection the figures published by the R.B.C. would appear incomplete and unconvincing. It is possible that if the stations should be taken over at vatuation, by another authority. the company’s shareholders would find themselves well paid for their pioneering efforts. It would seem only fair that some consideration should be given to B stations. It is admitted they are on the airy for their own purposes, as certain advertising advantages accrue which they must consider of value. Still many of us, whose fee of 30/-, less Government deduction, goes wholly to YA stations, are drawing the major portion of our entertainment from B stations, who certainly appear to deserve something more than thanks for their very successful efforts to entertain and

amuse, It seems reasonably probable, too, that some of the high class B stations would be inclined to allocate a large portion of any receipts to still further improvements; especially if some minor and well-controlled advertising concession were granted. If it be considered that private company control is most advantageous, we should then have it, minus monopoly and plus competition, and judging by some of the B station programmes at present on the air, should be exceedingly well

served.-

Tikirawa

(Auckland.)

Private Enterprise Favoured. qt is very interesting to read Press accounts of the proposed company for broadcasting, also the counter opinions of the New Zealand Radio Listeners’ League. I specially note listeners, not license holder. In this house there is one license holder and an unlimited number of listeners. I vote against State control abso-lutely-not one State-controlled business being satisfactory. The broadcasting should remain in the hands of trained successful business men, whose methods have brought the company to the position it now holds. Six years ago not a member of the new B class stations or any other organisation was prepared to stake any capital whatsoever on the venture. Yet as soon as the huge profits (like farming, purely mythical): are being made, communistie plans for sharing the profits are being brought out. Pity the balanece-sheet, covering five years’ working, dispels the ideas of gain. -License Holder (Waitomo. )