Editorial Notes

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 17, 4 November 1932, Page 4

Editorial Notes

— Wellington, Friday, November 4, 1932.

FRECENTLY someone pertinently asked if it was not a fact that we, being saturated in radio, are not getting too much of a good thing and are failing to appreciate radio for its true worth. In support of this argument it was contended that enjoyment derived from broadcasting does not by any means increase in proportion to the number of hours, rather the reverse. There is something in this contention, for most of us will recall the pleasure derived from the earlier broadcasts, when the quality transmitted and received was far inferior to that of to-day. The novelty no doubt entered into our enjoyment, but that does not explain all, and we venture the opinion that if the broadcasting hours were now reduced to, say, ten hours a week we should have fewer complaints and should be more appreciative. To-day our entertainment starts with breakfast gmusic and finishes with dance tunes Jong after supper-time.

SO far as early morning sessions are concerned, the British Broadcasting Corporation has stea:dfastly refused to commence before 10.15 am. Although we are not acquainted with its reason for doing 60, it is apparent that from the point of view of appreciation of music Sts decision is probably a wise one. Possibly it foresaw a shortage of music suitable for broadcasting, for if the present pace is maintained this will shortly become a real difficulty. ithe output is only a mere tithe of what is demanded b¥ the listener. WITHOUT doubt the revival in England of old songs and music was necessitated by the diffi-

culty in obtaining a sufficient quantity of modern matter. This can be understood when it is realised that in New Zealand more than a thousand different pieces are broadcast each day. Bearing in mind that there are over 30 stations and each station averages six hours a day, the estimate is really very conservative. Clearly, before long the demand will excéed the supply, and monotonous repetition will be the only solution. Already we see complaints on this score, but it seems to us inevitable, and that it will be accentuated as time goes on, As to the remedy, we will not venture an opinion, but will be*content to Icave it for our readers to think over. There is more in it than at first meets the eye.

o% * x "THE licenses figures are again to hand and show that with three months to go before the end of the vear there are almost 85,000 licenses. This phenomenal growth is hard to account for and rather offsets the depression talk we hear so much

about. Similarly the import figures for parts have increased, which indicates that radio is on the upward grade at a fairly rapid pace. A general increase could be accounted for by two reasons, the improved fare now available and the price of radio receivers. But there is room for improvement in both. The service improvements can come only concurrently with the increased number of licenses. Of course, the broadcasters must take chances and provide certain features in advance of their revenue. The price of sets influences the license figures more than this, and the growth is to a large extent the reflection of the

price level. A few years ago the price of the receiver was high, and the quality it was capable of delivering was far from good: Improvements catne and the price was re-duced-result: a growth in the licenses, _ R\VEN now the prices of radio sets are far too high. In America sets cost about half the price charged in this country, and a radio set is to be found in every second home, The high import duties, particularly on assembled parts, keep up the price. But even the manufacturer or assembler is handicapped by the high tariff imposts.. The: differential tariff charged on parts and sets -_

accounts. for the steady growth: in the parts business, and incidentally the growth of the New Zealand industry. But too much protection defeats its own ends and stifles the trade. If a radio set capable of receiving all New Zealand stations and the principal Australians could be marketed for, say, £10 the licenses would jump. to an amazing figure. It is doubtful whether the license fee has much influence on the number of listeners: After all, it is only a very small percentage of the initial outlay and a very small portion of even the most meagre income. Doubtless if it were reduced there would be a few more listeners but in no way commensurate’ with the reduction.