Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 25, 31 December 1931, Page 10

Our Mail Bag

Wine we weicome tne 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 cerrespondence, though a nom-de-plume may be used for publication,

Control Board. OW that the Radio Control Board .. has been appointed, and as a conB®equence listeners will have to say goodye to the Radio Broadcasting Comny, I think it only right that we |Should express our appreciation of the \ywery. fine service performed by them in (bringing broadcasting in New Zealand ;from practically nothing to the high (standard it has reached to-day. As one who has been a continuous listener from the first formation of the company to the present, I have a keen sense of fwhat has been accomplished, and say Good-bye" with regret. Now for the uture. The agitators have succeeded }fm.saddling us with the R.C.B., and it is ‘ap to listeners to see that no more of the funds provided by them are wasted. ‘out that the service shall be definitely fimproved. To that end I suggest the following :-Stations: Theoretically, we have at present a choice of four YA stations, plus an unknown quantity in the B class ditto. Speaking for this district (others must speak for themselves), with a reasonably good set, this ig largely so by day, but at night, which by far the most important, it is far from being so. Owing largely to their want of powér and consequent inability to overcome interference such as statie, ete,, three of the YA stations can be classed only as about 25 per cent. efticient. In my opinion, all. districts should have a choice of at least two

efficient stations, and for this 1 and 8YA at least should have their power in-creased-say, five times, forthwith or as soon as possible. Programmes, provided 1 and 3YA are made eflicient, would be little to complain of as a fair choice would be ayailable. B class stations: Owing probably to their want of power, these can only be of use locally, and before being subsidised to any ‘extent, would need very considerable improvement. 2ZW is the best, and that only about 10 per cent.

efficient at night in this district. Pos. sibly if connected by relay lines they might serve # useful purpose in bringing the main stations to difficult districts. Any subsidising would, therefore, need very careful consideration. I have condensed these thoughts as far as possible, and hope they are not too long. Thanking you, ete.. I am, yours trly,.

LISTENER H.

W.

Dunedin Wool Sale. I HAVE just listened to the broadcast of the Dunedin wool sale by 4Y4A, and I consider that a good pbroadcast Was marred by the absence of a description of the different lots under the hammer. I understand that a description was given in the northern cen-

tres Why n0t at Dunedin ?

Ban

spec

(Otago).

Shortwave Ciub Broadeasts. Ax I voice the opinion of many others with regard to the decision of the Postmaster-General to ban the broadcasting of the New Zealand Shortwave Club news and notes. As stated by Mr. McDonagh, the secretary of the club, the reasons for this refusal are: (1) Because it is likely to cause interference, and (2) because there is not enough interest taken in what the club has to offer. Now, how many listeners can truthfully say that a "ham" station really causes interference? Only those few perhaps who possess unselective sets and will not go to the trouble and very small expense to remedy this defect. If thess dsroadeasts were carried out after the "locals" had closed down, I don’t think even these few would have cause to complain. As for the suggestion that not enough interest would be taken in these broadcasts. one has only to see the large mail which the secretary of the club: receives each week from backblocks listeners to realise the immense amount of interest being taken in shortwave work generally. It is almost impossible for overseas stations to advise us when important tests are being carried out. except by announcements from the stations concerned. The information usually arrives by mail less than a week before the actual test, and this is immediately rushed into print. The "Radio Record," say, is published about three or four days later, and we in the city get our copies with perhaps a couple of days to spare, but what about the backblocks listeners? Even if they get & radio paper at all, it is certain toe

arrive too late for the ‘particular test, and unless they happen to have tuned him in they miss what might have been an important broadcast. On the other hand, if this ridiculous ban had not been placed on the "ham" stations, the enthusiast could have tuned in with plenty of time to spare. Then why, with so poor an excuse, should the Postmaster-General refuse what is quite obviously a benefit to the radio public in general, and also an indirect means of increasing the revenue by (1) an increase in the number of radio licenses taken out, (2) an increase in the sale of postage stamps, and (3) a decrease in the ranks of the unem: ployed brought about by an increase in radio sales?-‘LOOK AFTER THE PENCE... ." (Wellington). Case for "B" Stations. N your issue of December 4 you published an excellent letter under the " heading "The Case for ‘B’ Stations." I agree with your correspondent on the whole, but consider there are one or two weak points, and suggest they could be improved on with very little additional expense, In the first place I think the three minor YA stations should have their power lifted to 1 k.w. This should increase their effective range by 60 per cent., to put a Conservative estimate on it. We certainly do not want any more relay stations or "B’s" as far as that goes. Any more licenses should be granted on locality only so as to serve sections not already supplied and where possible licenses cancelled in districts over-sup-Plied as Auckland and Dunedin. Your correspondent decries the relays by telephone, but with all due respect to him and his technical friend I would like to point out that the R.B.C, has very successfully relayed their international programmes through at least five different "B" stations. Now I have listened to all, except 1ZH, which I have not been able te log, and in every instance consider the relay to be equal to the original. In any case it would probably be far cheaper to contract with the P. and T. to put a special relay line through to strategical points. Your correspondent would rely on gramophone records. The "B".stations are at present experiencing their second tiff with the record manufacturers, and it seems to me that there will always be friction between these two, so that this source of entertainment is likely to periodical interruptions. What the position of stations who own their records is I am not quite clear on. Perhaps, Mr. Iidifox you can enlighten me. o The "B" stations have certainly filled in & very large gap, and the thanks of a’ large section of country listeners is due to them, but at the same time the fact must not be overlooked that most of these are backed by a commercial view, as well as service, as most represent or are radio and gramophone dealers, and the advertisement side looms largely in their services. In conclusion, I would like to say that I agree with your correspondent that money should be spent sparingly, and I wish the new board every success. -Moi Whare. [The legal position on the point raised by our correspondent is controversial. It is claimed, on the one side, that broadcasting stations who have bought gramophone records under the ordinary conditions of sale obtaining in the past are entitled: to use those records as their private property. Qn the

other hand, it is claimed ou behalf of the gramophone companies that the records are sold only for private use, and that the "public performance" or broadcasting of a record is another act, against which they can protect themselves by legal process. To clarify the position for the future, it is understood that ‘all gramophone records will bear & stamp specifically stating that they are not to be broadcast except by permission of the manufacturer. We anticipate and hope that the whole position will be the subject of a speedy, sumicable arrangement.-HEd.] Gramophone Records. HE announcement of restrictions on the broadcasting of gramophone records will come as a bombshell to most listeners, although it will not altogether surprise many who have followed the course of events in recent years beween the Performing Rights Associavs tion and the broadcasting companies. This action is due to a concerted and no doubt word-wide effort on the’ part of the gramophone companies-a powerful organisation-who are seriously concerned over the shrinkage in their revenue. In their efforts to prevent the landslide they point to the broadcasting companies as a contributory cause of their troubles, alleging \that the broadeasting of popular records affects the sale of such records to the public. ° This in itself is a moot point. When a popular "talkie film" of a musical nuture is displayed, gramophone dealers have reported an increased demand for the records, and the same applied more or less to broadcasting. The reduced turnover of the gramophone companies is governed by the sume cause as that affecting other trading concerns to-day-namely, the financial depression which has reduced the purchasing power of the individual. Records being more or less of a luxury would naturally occupy a leading position in the list of personal economies. Tt is to counteract the resnits of the depression that the gramophone companies are clutching at any course of action which in their opinion will increase sales. jut what of the

listeners? Are they to stand by without protest, and sce one of their best forms of entertainment taken away or restricted in such a manner that the hbroadeasting companies and listeners would be redneed to marionettcs; controlled by strings pulled by the gramophéne companies? #t is an impossible position. Tt affects New Zealand to a greater extent than most other countries owing to the fact that the only other alternative. the almost exclusive use of local talent. is so limited in its seope hy virtue of our isolation and small population, that the revenue from license fees would nuiltimately be seriously depleted with disastrons. results to the future of broad‘asting in this Dominion. I make this statement with every respect for local talent. but if will be generally agreed that the record brings the world’s best to our fireside. The gramophone companies will admit. too. that the develonment of the wireless valve has revolutionised the eramophone and revitalised an industry which had not made munch progress for many years. When the panotrope and wireless gramonhone combination reached the market a few years ago, the sale of records was such as to en-

able the gramophone companies to declare dividends. of sixty and seventy per cent. The gratitude of the gramophone companies is certainly not reflected in their present action. What is the remedy? Whatever steps. the New Zealand Goyernment

may take will not permanently: cure the dificulty. It would only be a palliative, and to that extent it is highly desirable that legislative action be taken in New Zealand as quickly as Possible to save the B stations being forced out of existence and to smooth the path of the new Broadcasting Control Board which takes office on January 1. The birth and early infaney of the new board already shows signs of trouble and travail, but with careful feeding and nursing by the listeners and all concerned, the baby will no doubt grow into a healthy youth and repay its foster parents for all the care and attention Javished upon it. So much for the palliative, but what of the cure? If the rights of the Performing Rights Association are not to be looked on as an incurable disease affecting listeners the world over, the remedy will have to be effected by joint action. New Zenland is not the only country affected. The movement is world-wide. Tt ‘alls for discussion by Britain and the Dominions at a round-table conference, and in this connection may well form one of the subjects at the next Imperial Conference. Until this bone of contention is finally disposed of, listeners may expect a continual recurrence of the trouble in one form or other. By throwing their weight into the controyersy, the voice of public opinion expressed throneh the listeners will force

2 solution of the propleim.-

I.

Meltzer

An Advocate of Moderation. ACCORDING to a recent "Radio Record." the gramophone companies have placed a ban on the broadcasting of recordings without their permission, claiming that this is detrimental to their sales. There is certainly some truth in this, as it is a well known fact that some DB class stations absolutely murder the latest hits by giving us them for breakfast, dinner and tea until one gets tired of hearing them. But if the stations were limited to, say, three broadcasts of a popular hit per week there would not be the same tendency to kill a recording. But there are two sides to every argument. It is equally true that broadcasting, judiciously regulated, can, and does, aid sales of recordings. As an example, take the recording "Good-night, Sweetheart." This is, I believe, the latest hit. It has been played not more than five times a week by Dunedin B class stations, and the result is that up to last week-end the recording could not he obtained in Dunedin, all stocks having been sold ont. In fact, I know of one concern who had an order placed for thirty of this item to: arriye, and

out of that thirty, twenty were already sojd. So that it would appedr that if the use of these recordings of popular hits were regulated, the broadcasting of these items could materially aid the sales of recordings. It would be rather a pity if the. B class stations: were forced to close owing to their inability to fill their programmes, since they depend upon recordings for practically all their present programmes, as, personally, I. consider that these stations give listeners better entertainment, the ordinary YA station broadeasts being slightly heavy at times. Besides, one is always sure of light music from some of the B stations. I quite realise that the YA stations try to please everyone, and that

SO ee Ss this is a hard thing to do, They do it very creditably. But I do think there: are too many vocal items in proportiox: to instrumental ones. Towever, I may be biased in favour of instrumentad: items. There is one thing, however, £: flo not like. and that is the. present’ series of international programmes ns brondcast from 4YA every Monday. do not consider that these are nearly! as good as the first international pro*" grammes with the Lockharts, Hy-Wide-and Handsome, etc. They may, how="

ever, suit some _

DX640C

(Dunedin)