F—l.

BROADCASTING SERVICE. The number of licensed radio listeners at the 31st March was 241,308, a record gain of 49,043 over the total at the end of the previous year. During the last three years the number of receiving licenses has more than doubled, a fact which emphasizes in striking manner the popularity of the service. Receiving-sets are now installed in 68 per cent, of the households of the Dominion, but it would appear that saturation-point has not yet been reached. By the 31st July the number of licenses in the Dominion had increased to 252,286. Free receiving-licenses are now issued to public hospitals and certain charitable institutions for radio sets installed in the institutions for the benefit of patients generally. A similar privilege has been extended to schools and colleges in respect of sets installed in class-rooms for educational purposes. DETAILED REPORT. A detailed report of the Department's activities during the year ended on the 31st March, 1937, follows. I have the honour to be, Your Excellency's most obedient servant, F. Jones. General Post Office, Wellington, C. 1, Ist August, 1937.

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