Radio in the Islands

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 26, 8 January 1932, Page 8

Radio in the Islands

A Visitor’s Experiences R. S. A. HEGINBOTHAM, who has returned to New Zealand after being loaned for six years by the P. and TT. Department to the Cook Islands Administration, took the first radio set to the group. Rarotonga alone has twenty to-day, mostly owned by Huropeans. The most sought after broadcasts are the news sessions from New Zealand, which constitutes the white people’s daily paper. Only a few natives have sets, and their delight is jazz from Am2rica and Australia, which both come in very well in the group. So, also, does Japan. Being in the tropics, atmospherie interference is bad, but that is cjmpensated for in a measure by the,@bgence of induction. y "Radio," says Mr. Heginbotham, "is the greatest invention of the age as far as the islands are concerned, and 48 soon as they get a little money after depression the natives will buy sefs freely. One of the most striking uses of radio in the group has been the furnishing of medical advice from the doctor at Rarotonga to patients on the islands. Then, again, by being in contact with approaching ships we.are now able to let the natives know exactly when to pick their fruit. There is no such thing to-day as fruit rotting on the wharves waiting for delayed steamers."