New Zealand as a Market for Australian-Made Radio Goods

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 20, 27 November 1931, Page 9

New Zealand as a Market for Australian-Made Radio Goods

Observations by

A. P.

HOSKIN

Overseas Sales Representative of Amalgamated Wireless (A’asia) Ltd.

of R. A. P. HOSKIN, overseas sales representative of Amalgamated Wireles: (A’asia), Limited, returned to Sydney last week after a comprehensive business tour of New Zealand. During his visit Mr. Hoskir covered the whole country, visiting every centre of importance in connection with his firm’s business. The reason for the visit was the insight gained in the preceding year of the importance of the Dominior market to the firm as an outlet for Australian-made radio sets. As a result of his visit Mr. Hoskin has submitted a detailed programme te. headquarters calling for the manufacture of a set specially designe? to suit the conditions obtaining in New Zealand. The difference between Australia and New Zealand, from the listener’s point of view. vis that Australia has a greater number of stations; and, because of \ the contour of the land and the absence of mountain ranges, etc.. those stations seem to radiate and serve greater distances than is generally the case.in the Dominion. Furthermore, in Australia the city listeners, particularly in centres such as Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, etc., more frequently use indoor aerials than outdoor aerials. In New Zealand, however, the listeners as a whole desire outside reception to a greater extent than does the average Australian listener, anc for this reason it is necessary to employ an outdoor aerial, which i ir turn necessitates greater selectivity. The programme of manufacture about to be embarked upon to cope with New Zealand’s growing demands provides for the attributes specially desired in New Zealand. In the course of a general chat Mr. Hoskin paid a tribute to the service rendered listeners by the trade in New Zealand, and particularly the country dealer. He had been surprised, he said, at the high class of service given by country dealers, and their recognition of their _ responsibility to listeners, Theis window displays and service generally _ were of a high class. . > eel

Mr. Hoskin mentioned also that, according to a statement made recently by Mr. E. T. Fisk, managing director of Amalgamated Wireless, the Company would be entering upon the manufacture of radiotron valves in Australia in the very near future. Arrangements were also in hand for Amalgamated Wireless, Ltd., to receive the benefit of lead-, ing overseas investigations into valves. This departure would be quite notable. ; The Company’s policy under Mr. Fisk had always been of a progressive character, and it was interesting to note that quite extensive export business was now being engaged in from Australia, both as regards transmitters and receivers. Transmitting apparatus was being forwarded quite extensively to Great Britain for installation in vessels on the stocks in British shipyards. In Australia itself radio, in spite of the depression, had enjoyed the most prosperous year of its history. An embargo had been placed upon the importation of radio sets, with the result that manufacture of Australian sets was greatly stimulated. Sales to listeners had, expanded at an unprecedented rate, possibly because the depression obliged people to stay at home more, and they found radio the cheapes/ form of entertainment. The Company had been prompt to take advantage of its opportunity, and its own sales and manufacture had expanded remarkably. This was a tribute to the far-sighted organisation of Mr. Fisk, who had always pursued a progressive policy. Thousands yearly were spent in research work, and in broadening the experience of officers of the Company by visits overseas. Ve: HOSKIN predicted that New Zealand: listeners would find Australian goods an increasingly important factor in the future, as mass production methods could now be employed which, with the Australian practice of working to a quality standard, would result in an attractive article being placed on the New Zealand market at a competitive price. .