Editorial Notes

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 7, 26 August 1932, Page 4

Editorial Notes

Wellington, Friday, August 26, 1932.

‘THE license figures indicate that there are 74,812 radio sets in operation. But do these figures tell all the story? We are inclined to think not, for although the development of the powerful but cheap a.c. set has spelled the doom of the less auspicious crystal set-a notorious pirate-there are still many listeners not paying their licenses. The theft of radio broadcastingpirating is nothing else-is petty and mean. Strangely enough it is practiced by many who would shrink from lifting a 2/6 article from a departmental store; they do not realise the gravity of the offence. Radio is being seriously hampered by these parasites and there is a moral obligation for every listener to aid in their being brought to book. Although the presence of pirates in this country will probably mean little more than listeners having to tolerate a lower standard of broadcasting than would otherwise be the case, there are instances where this form of theft has resulted in the closing down of the broadcasting stations, and others where the progress of radio has been very definitely hampered. a Bs) e FUNGLAND like New Zealand, has to tolerate the pirate, but recently severe steps were taken to reduce the number listening to free radio. Toward the end of 1931, the British Post Office published an announcement which was taken up by the Press and _ broadcast frequently, that they were starting a catnpaign to bring the license evaders to account. They announced the exact time the campaign was to start and explained

how they would operate. On a certain day two or more vans equip~ ped vith the latest direction finding instruments would leave headquarters in London and proceed systematically to search the city for unlicensed sets. The Post Office explained that licenses cculd be taken out without questions being asked as to the length of time the set had been in operation, and no questions would be asked by the engineers if the licenses were only a few hours old. At the end of about two weeks, an announcement was made

that some thirty to forty thousand new licenses had been taken out, representing additional income of £20,000. It is not surprising then, that at the end of July the total number of licenses issued in Great Britain numbered 4,800,000, which is more than 1,000,000 increase in twelve months. Although the increase represents a smaller percentage increase than the New Zealand increase, it must be remembered that 44 per cent. of the homes in Great Britain are already fitted with radio, whilst in this country only 20 per cent. enjoy radio, 3 * % IT is apparent that were such a "drive" made by the Post and Telegraph Department, the license figures would mount even more rapidly. Already, the department has been active and recently we note that there were 44 prosecutions in Auckland for evasions of the license. The Department has facilities to track down a large proportion of the illicit radios and with a slight extension of its equipment, may be able to emulate the efforts of the British Post Office. The dealers make an entry for every set and certain listening equipment sold and these are returned regu-

larly to the Post and Telegraph Department. By checking these lists against the licenses it can easily ascertain if licenses are taken out. The institution of sleuth methods or eveti a systematic check of the aerials would enable pirates to be located, e v # ° JT seems evident that the procedure should be:

1. The institution of a definite drive to eradicate pirates. 2. Imposition of substantial. fines. Not until this problem is treated in a business-like manner and offenders severely punished, will the country be reasonably free from the pirate.

ko * The Melodie Five will present a variety of solos and concerted numbers from 2YA on TUESDAY, AUGUST 30. rg *|