Case for 3ZC

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 31, 12 February 1932, Page 5

Case for 3ZC

R. ©. F. WOODHEAD, general mauager of Station 8ZC, which has been operating in Christchurch since

Ly27, reviewed the situation as follows :-- "In September of last year the Government made representations to the Radio Broadcasting Company, and reyuested them to formulate a scheme lor co-operating with "B" class stations. At the same time it intimated to the company that, at the expiration of the existing license, a morning service would be required in each of the main centres. As a result of that communication from the Government, the Radio Broadcasting Company approached Station 8ZC and suggested a comprehensive arrangement providing for the cen tinuation of 8ZC’s service if the Radiv Broadcasting Colmpany was granted a renewal of its license. The arrangement was to be retrospective to October 1, 1931. Pending final determination, the Radio Broadcasting Company as from the period mentioned undertook to provide every reasonable facility in the use of relay lines, gramophone records, and general co-operation for the improvement of, 3ZC’s service, This comprehensive proposition was accepted by Station 8ZC, and for the closing months of 1981, 83ZC drew approximately 400 to 500 records per week from the head office of the Broadcasting Company.

In the upshot the company was not granted a renewal of its license through the decision of Parliament, but in spite of that the company continued to provide the existing facilities, as arranged with 3ZC, up to December 31 last, On the appointment of the board in December, Station 8ZC communicated with it and informed the board that it was financially impossible for the station to carry on indefinitely, and that, while they appreciated the difficulties that beset the board, they thought it would be a reasonable thing if they paid the station in the meantime a sum each month for their actual out-of-pocket expenses; this arrangement to continue until such time as the board was able to prepare a definite policy. In asking for this assistance, it was pointed out that if it was not for Station 38Z0, Christchurch would be without any radio service at all until 3 p.m, every day of the week, and would have a completely silent day. on Tuesdays, and that such a condition of affairs was absolutely contrary to the requirements of listeners and of the Government itself. Simultaneously, with the foregoing application, 8Z0 ap- plied for a continuation of the gramophone record and other facilities (not necessarily to the original full extent}. and 3ZC has since offered to the board to pay all expenses of transport and any sum deemed reasonable by the board to cover wear and tear on the records. The Board’s answer to these requests has been that they were all questions of policy, and that the Board would not be in a position to consider any questions of policy until it met again in approximately six weeks’ time-that was to say, at the end of January. The (Concluded on page 22.)