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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1938-05-19, Page 6THURSDAY, MAY 10th, 1038 Radio and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation To The Editor of The Exeter Times-Advocate Dear Sir: As a result of the decision of the Broadcasting Corporation to increase the radio licence fee, there has been flood of protests pouring, in from some sections of the country, while in other sections representation has been made that the increase would be perfectly satisfactory if the ser­ vice was extended to cover the sec­ tions not now covered. In regard to the Radio Commission, it may be well to explain its origin and set-up. When this question was brought to the attention of the Government during the last Liberal regime, a Commission was set up, with Sir John Aird as chairman, and Mr. Au- gistin Frigon and Mr. C. A. Bowman as fellow commissioners. This Com­ mission made a thorough study of the whole question, it took evidence in the United States and Europe and afer such study brought down a re­ port. The recommendations of the Com­ mission were, briefly, that the con­ trol and operation of radio broad­ casting in Canada be made a public utility and that the government should establish its own high-power broadcasting stations so that com­ plete -coverage of Canada would be obtained by this means. The report was brought in too late for the Government to imple­ ment it, apd it was not until 1932 that a Parliamentary Committee (brought down a report which was the basis of the Broadcasting Act of 1932. In 1934, a second Parliamen­ tary Committee studied the question and again brought down a report, suggesing revisions of the Commis­ sion Plan of management and re­ turning more to the basis recom­ mended in the Aird Report. However no change was made at that time. In (1936, a third Parliamentary committee studied the subject and brought in an unanimous report which was made the basis of the present Broadcasting Act.. The Act now in force was studied by that Committee and recommended by it to the House after it had unanimous­ ly approved the drart bill. The revenues of the Corporation were provided at. first by a license fee of one dollar, which was in force prior to the establishment of Pub­ lic Broadcasting. The proceeds from the fees were used only for the elim­ ination of interference. On this service alone over $300,000 is still being spent and without the remov­ al of interference with broadcasting there would be very little reception in Canada today, even in the large cities. The Aird Commission recommend­ ed that revenue to carry out the •public ownership program should be provided; first, from a license fee of $3.00 per radio set; second, from advertising revenue to the amount of $700,000; third, that the Domin­ ion Government make a grant of $1,000,000 per year. The mandate given to the Broad­ casting Corporation set up by the last Broadcasting Act was detailed in the Report of the Committee on Radio for 193 6. It recommended: (a) “that a public corporation, mo­ delled more closely on the lines of a private corporation but with ade­ quate .powers to control, for purpose of coordination, all broadcasting, ‘both public and .private, be set up to replace the Canadian Broadcasting Comm.” (b) “that this corporation be known as the Canadian Broadcast­ ing Corporation, to be managed by a general manager, and directed as to policy by a non-partisan board of nine directors or governors, chosen in order to give representation to all parts of Canada." (c) "that the Cor­ poration immediately consider ways and means of extending national cov­ erage.” In accordance with this last man­ date, one of the first acts of the newly constituted Corporation was to make a coverage survey of Canada That coverage survey disclosed that less than 50 per cent, of the popula­ tion of Canada had adequate cover­ age from existing sources. The Corporation had certain funds at its disposal, it also had the privilege of borrowing $500,000 from the GoV- vernment as a repayable loan. With that amount and some $200,000 sav­ ed from current revenue the Cor­ poration set about carrying out its mandate to establish high-powered broadcasting stations. Two of these stations have been built, one near Montreal and one near Toronto. These stations were Bronchitis May Prove Dangerous Do Not Neglect The Cough Get Rid Of It At Once Dr. Wood’s Norway Pine Syrup Will Help Bring Relief * T. MILBURN CO„ LTD., PRODUCT undertaken first, as through them a maximum of listeners could be reach­ ed. The Corporation wishes to carry out its mandate and establish ade­ quate coverage by building two more stations and improving certain other properties which equipment is ob­ solete. With this object in mind the Governors have recommended the fee be increased to $2.50 per license and that each receiving set pay this fee. There is a real urgency for the completion of Coverage for the reas­ ons that follows: In 1932, th distribution of wave lengths between the countries of N. America was considered by an Inter­ national Conference. A division was made by which Canada received the use of six exclusive channels; the United States received certain others, as did also other countries. In addition to these exclusive wave lengths, Canada secured partial use of othei- wave lengths suitable fol­ low powered stations. Within a year or two, broadcasters, desiring to es­ tablish high-powered stations and not able to obtain wave lengths in the United States, discovered that Mex­ ico was not a party of the Interna­ tional agreement, and that the Cana­ dian Channels were not being used by high-powered stations, so these men moved over to Mexico and es­ tablished high-powered stations there, using exclusive Canadian Channels. The result has been that for some time not one of the six channels al­ lotted to Canada was free from in­ terference from Mexican sources. As a result of this interference, Canada through the C.B.C. protested vigor­ ously to the other countries which were parties to the convention. How­ ever, on the invitation of Cuba, pre­ liminary conversations wqre held in Havana in March 1937 and in No­ vember a full conference of all coun­ tries affected was held in Havana. At that time a new allocation was made. Instead of six clear channels previously allotted to Canada, seven clear and satisfactory channels are now allotted to this country on which stations of 50,000 -watt or more may be used. In addition to this, four other channels, two in Quebec and two in Ontario are allotted on which high-powered stations can be placed. Canada is also asisgned four other frequencies, two of which may be us­ ed for stations of five KW, one for a station of ten KW, and one for a station -of fifteen KW and the agree­ ment also provides sufficient chan­ nels for all stations of low power at present in operation in Canada. But this stipulation was made, that unless Canada would proceed to establish on each of these seven ex­ clusive channels a radio station of at least 50,000 watt power, the other countries would not guarantee that these channels would remain exclu­ sive to Canada. It was pointed out to our delegates that Canada was at fault if its exclusive wave lengths had been interfered with as we had not made adequate use of them. Therefore the matter is urgent, be­ cause the C. B. C. is -under compul- 1 sion to complete the establishment of its -high-powered stations on the newly acquired wave lengths. It is for this purpose that the increase in the radio fee is now being made. It should not be forgotten that Parliament has always endorsed the idea of radio being a public utility. When the idea of public ownership was adopted the then Prime Minister Hon. R. B. Bennett, said: “No other scheme than that of public ownership can assure to the people of this coun­ try, without regard to class, or place equal enjoyment of the benefits and pleasures of radio broadcasting. Pri­ vate ownership must necessarily dis­ criminate between densely and sparsely populated areas. This is not a correctable fault in private ownership; it is an inescapable and inherent demerit of that system. It does not seem right that in Canada towns should be preferred, to the countryside of prosperous commun­ ities to those less fortunate. In fact if no other course were possible, it might be fair to suggest that it should be the other way about. Hap­ pily, however, under his sytsem, there is no need to discriminate; all may be served alike. Equally of ser­ vice is assured by the plan which calls for' a chain of high-powered stations throughout Canada.” Hon. E. Lapointe, Opposition spokesman said: “I just wish to en­ dorse the views expressed by Rt. Hon friend, the Prime Minister, and to say that I am in full accord with the principle embodied in this Bill. I have been supporting this principle from the first, more particularly af­ ter the Report of the Aird OOmmis- sion, but I know the difficulties in the way and the strength of the pro­ paganda carried on to prevent the work of that Commission from hav­ ing the results which we, have wit­ nessed today." “I am pleased with the work which was done by the Committee which has been studying this question, and I congratulate the members of that Committee on the excellent work which they did." ’T congratulate the House upon having this Bill Introduced at the present session, and I congratulate I should say I am left! the people of Canada on the principle which is represented in the Bill.” Mr. Woodsworth, representing the third party, said: “I should just like to associate myself with the last speaker, Mr, Lapointe, in congratul­ ating the Prime Minister on his promptness in bringing down this Bill to implement the Report which has been unanimously adopted," The above statements indicate the unanimity with which the idea of radio being a public utility was re­ ceived. The personnel of the Board of Governors is as follows: Leonard Brockington, K. C. Win­ nipeg, ((Chairman) Rene Morin, M, P., Montreal (Vice •Chairman) Mrs. Nellie McLung, Victoria B.C. J, Wilfred Godfrey, Halifax Captain, the Reverend Alexander Vachon, Quebec. Colonel Wilfred Borey,# Montreal. N. L. Uathanson, Toronto Allan B. Plaunt, Ottawa Brig.-General Victor W. Odium, Vancouver The Corporation is non-parisan non-sectional, non-political. The Gov­ ernors serve in a quasi-honorary ca­ pacity. Under the terms of the Act they are paid fifty dollars for each meeting, up to a maximum of five hundred dollars per annum. Meet­ ings in normal years, number five or six. The Apt provides that the Chairman is paid an honorarium of fifteen hundred dollars per annum. Under the Act the Broadcasting Corporation is limited in its sources of revenue. First, to revenue from license fees; second, it can only ob­ tain a repayable loan of $500,000 from the Government; third, it is limited to a revenue of $500,000 from advertising. The revenue obtained m 19i36-37 amount to $2,103,000. The estimat­ ed revenue for 19 37-3i8 will amount, to $2,365,000. In view of the fact that the >C. B. C. is limited in its sources of revenue; the only thing than can be done is to increase the radio license fee, in order to secure the funds to establish the new sta­ tions. The estimated revenue of the Bri­ tish Broadcasting Corp, is $20,000,- 000 -while the American rado reven­ ue is estimated at $100,000,000. This later revenue is collected , from ad­ vertisers alone for which, of course, the consumer eventually -pays. In 193641937, the administration costs were 7.57, while in 1937-38, this cost is reduced to 5.66 of the whole of the revenue of the C. B. C. Last year the Corporation put on 1000 programs per month, originat­ ing in Canada and employing Cana­ dian artists. The Corporation has employed some 2,800 Canadian art­ ists exclusive of tihe members of the organization such as choirs and fixed orchestras. This service cost the Commission well over $600,000. It may be of interest to quote here the radio license fees throughout the world are as follows: Radio Receiving License Fees Throughout the World Place Ilate in Dollars per annum Central America, Guatemala ............ $ 3.00 Newfoundland .............. $ 2.00 Europe, Austria ....................$ 4.50 Belgium ................ 10.25 Czechoslovakia ....... 4.25 Denmark ............... 2.25 Estonia ............. 2.40-4.00 (Finland ................. 2.2'5 France .............. 5.00-6.50 Germany ............... 9.75 Great Britain ........ 2.50 Hungary ................ S..82 Iceland .................. 6.70 Irish Free iState ..... 2.50 Italy ...................... 5.25 Norway ................. 5.00 Poland ....................25-.75 Rumania ........... 3.03-6.06 Sweden ................... 2.50 Switzerland ............ 3.50 Yugoslavia ............ 6.84 Oceanic, Australia ............’.... 4.-25 New Zealand ........... 5.00 Africa, Egypt ...................... 4.00 Union of S. Africa 5.-8.’2‘5 Asia, British 'India ........... 3.80 Hongkong .............. 3.20 Japan ..................... 1.75 C Siam ...............90 pr tube W. H.GOLDING, 9 th, IFeb. 193(81 • ........................—........... BWCHHMS TRAFFIC COURT CASES Eighteen motorists paid fines ag­ gregating $78.75 with costs as a re­ sult of -the traffic check-up which has been in progress in Goderich since the first of May. Five paid ${10 and costs each for failure to possess an operator’s permit and a similiar number $2.00 and costs each for fail­ ure to produce driver’s permit. A Flesherton trucker paid $23 for over­ loading. One paid $10 and costs for over-crowding the driver’s seat, five people in a coupe. CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY A very pleasant time was spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hor­ ner, Zurich, recently. The immediate family and grandchildren of the hosts including Mr. and Mrs. G. Ger­ hart and son, including Mr. and Mrs. G. Gerhart and son, Mr. and Mrs. N. Parent, of Detroit, gathered to cele­ brate Mrs. Horner’s birthday. Mrs. Horner was the recipient of many lovely gifts. With a dainty lunch served was a beautifully decorated and inscribed birthday cake. DIES AT GODERICH Native of Westfield, but resident of Goderich for 29 years. Mrs. Amos Challenger, died on May 12th. Only last year she and her husband cele­ brated their golden wedding and last week Mrs. Challenger, who was in her 76 th year, was in her garden. Besides her husband there survives a son James of Edgerton, Alta.; a daughter, Mrs. E. B. Webber of Kit­ chener, a brother, Wellington, Van­ couver and a sister, Mrs. John Gow, of Grantoil, Ont. She was a member of North Street United Church and Rev. W. P. Lane conducted services with interment in Maitland cemetery. If you drink, don’t drive The hand of the law is dealing severely with drunken drivers. The maximum penalty for driving While drunk is three months’ im­ prisonment. If you have taken even one drink, don’t drive.ONTARIO or G< N. Evans, Canada Packers, Ltd., Exeter Exeter,Phone 246 or Ben Case R. R. 3, Exeter, Agitated Lover-~-“Is it true that your father has lost his fortune?" His Lady Love (sighing)—Yes- all is swept away, but you are left, Percy, dearest!" Agitated Lover—“Great J-upiter! THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE Baseball Schedule Southern Group. May 24-—Creditoil at Ailsa Craig; Lieury at Centralia May 27—Ailsa Craig at Lucan; Centralia at Crediton May 30—.Centralia at Ailsa Craig May 31—Lucan at ILienry x June 3—Ailsa Craig at Lieury; Crediton at Lucan June 6—Lucan at Centralia June 7—Lieury at Crediton June 10—Lucan at Ailsa Craig; Crediton at Lieury June 14—(Centralia at Lucan; Ail­ sa Craig at Crediton June 17—-Crediton at Centralia; Lieury at Lucan June 20—Lieury at Ailsa Craig June 21—Lucan at Crediton June 22—Ailsa Craig at Centralia June 214—Centralia at Lieury June 27—Ailsa Craig at Lucan June 29—Crediton at Ailsa Craig June 3 0—Lieury at Centralia July 5—Ailsa Craig at Crediton; Lieury at Lucan (July 8—(Crediton at Lieury; Lu­ can at Ailsa Craig July 1|1—Ailsa Craig at Lieury; Crediton at Lucan. July 13—Centralia at Lieury July 15—Ailsa Craig at Centralia Lucan at Crediton July 19—Lieury at Crediton; Cen­ tralia at Ailsa Craig July 22—'Lucan at Lieury; Credi­ ton at Centralia July 25—'Centralia at Crediton; Lieury at Ailsa Craig July 29—Lucan at Centralia August 2—Centralia at Lucan Northern Group May 24—(morning) Hensall at Clinton; Goderich at Mitchell; (af­ ternoon) Zurich at Blyth. May 27 — Clinton at Goderich; Mitchell at Zurich. May 30—Goderich at Hensall May 31—Blyth at Clinton June 1—Hensall at Mitchell June 2—Zurich at Goderich June 3—Clinton at Blyth June 6—Zurich at Mitchell; Clin­ ton at Hensall. June 7—Blyth at Goderich June 9—Hensall at Zurich June 10—Mitchell at Blyth; God­ erich at Clinton. June 13—Zurich at Hensall June 14—Mitchell at Goderich June 15—Hensall at .Blyth June 16—'Clinton at Zurich June 20—'Clinton at Mitchell; Hensall at Goderich » June 24—Goderich at Blyth; Mit­ chell at .Hensall. June 27—Zurich at Clinton June 29—Blyth at Mitchell July 4—Blyth at Zurich; Mitchell at Clinton July 7—Goderich at Zurich July 8>—'Blyth at Hensall 1 BAYFIELD MAN BURIED Charles W- Weston, Bayfield, died in his 55th year, following a brief illness, at the home of his parents. He was born in Goderich1 Township, April 19, 1884. As a young man, he learned the trade of carpenter, and afterward went to Detroit, where he worked at his trade and seven years ago returned to Bayfield. Besides his wife and parents there survive one brother, Percy, three sisters. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. W. G. Bugler, of, Trinity .church Bayfield, to the Bayfield cemetery. GEO. W.LAWSON Manager. MAY 24th DRIVE SAFELY! Last year the holiday traffic on our streets and highways ran up a terrible toll of seven killed and 215 injured in 145 accidents! We must not have a repetition this year. One thoughtless move on your part may bring tragedy into your own or somebody else’s home. Before you take the wheel, therefore, resolve to use the utmost care on the highway, and to observe every traffic rule. —Drive at a safe speed at all times. —Keep to the right hand side of the road. —Never pass another vehicle on a hill or curve, or any point where the view is obstructed. —Do not park on the highway. —Signal the car behind you in plenty of time before you turn. —Observe all road signs and signals. —See that your car is in safe driving condition. In the name of humanity drive safely on this, the first holiday of summer. Help make the highways safe for yourself and others. $ i You get SO MUCH Have you ever figured out how very little it costs to give your home the daily convenience and protection of a telephone? It actually works out to only a few cents a day! ’’Shopping by telephone” saves time and energy. ’’Visiting by telephone” binds friends and relatives—local or distant—more closely to you. In case of emergency—fire, sickness, burglary—your telephone is a faithful, speedy messenger; the perfect, sleepless servant, giv­ ing constant service for just a few cents a day! J ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS