THE RADIO BOARD.

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 23, 18 December 1931, Page 6

THE RADIO BOARD.

UJ NDER the pressure of more urgent national affairs, Cabinet up to. the time of writing has not been able to reach a determination as to the personnel of the Radio Board. It is hoped, however, that prolably by the time these words are in general circulation an announcement may be made. The former Postmaster-General indicated that no lack of talent had offered itself to him immediately the suggestion of a Board appeared. That position has continued up to the present. There has been, it is understood, a mild rush of applicants for the three positions tu be filled, so that the task of arriving at a choice has been difficult. Apart from the applicants, Cabinet, it is understood, has reserved to itself the right to go further afield in search of the best appointments,. so that. when the appointments are finally made, it may be found that the actual appointees have been chosen by Cabinet without them having sought the position themselves. WHILE the delay is certainly inconvenient and disappointing to _ the general body of listeners, who had hoped that prompt and effective steps would have been taken by the Board to assume contro! of the service, Cabinet must be commended for a decision not to unduly rush the appointment at the expense of efficiency. It is recognised that the Board will have important duties to discharge, that those duties will call for sound judgment and administrative capacity. Accordingly Cabinet has been concerned to search carefully for the right personnel rather than err by undue haste.

THE strictest secrecy is being preserved as to the personnel of the , Board, and will, we believe, be maintained up to the time of the actual appointment. Many names have been in circulation, not all of whom would be suitable. It will probably be found in the upshot that the chairman will be resident in Wellington, but it would not be surprising to find that geographical considerations influence the choice of other members of the Board. One will probably come from Auckland, and one from the South Island. By this means actual contact with listeners in distant points is hoped to be assured. [N view of the time that has elapsed since the passage of the Bill, and in view also of the‘short interval before the Board will be required to function, it will be impossible for any dramatic or unusual reorganisation to be effected in the near future. The Board, after appointment, will require to undertake close investigation of the existing service prior to embarking upon radical changes. No matter how closely the Board members may have interested themselves in broadcasting from the outside, they will find on entering upon the seats of office, and becoming acquainted with the necessary financial, technical and geographical dat that rule the situation, that they will require an open mind to reach best decision. Listeners have already shown themselves patient in awaiting the appointment of the Board. More patience will be required before the Board can be expected to function at its fullest efficiency. The task before it is stich as will tax the best capacity of the Board an! listeners, we take it, will be prepared to await developments with reasonable patience.