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Samoa Acting under authority, the New Zealand Broadcasting Service arranged for the purchase and installation of a broadcasting-station for the Administration of Western Samoa. The station is located at Apia and operated in the usual medium wave broadcasting band with an output of 2 kW. on a frequency of 1,420 kc./s. It commenced regular transmissions on 31st January. Special battery-operated radio-receiving sets were provided for the Native villages. Frequency Modulation Inquiries are being received from time to time as to whether New Zealand is going to adopt " F.M." (frequency modulated transmissions). The advantage of this system lies not so much in the improvement claimed in modulation, but in the use of high-frequency transmission, thus opening up a new broadcasting band with many additional channels. In the principal overseas countries there are many more broadcasting-stations than can be accommodated in the normal medium-wave band, so that a further group of channels is of considerable value. In New Zealand, however, this situation does not occur as there are still many channels available for new stations. Disadvantages in the use of these high frequencies are, firstly, the limited range obtained, usually not much more than a clear optical range ; and, secondly, the necessity of listeners purchasing special receiving-sets. The sets now generally in use throughout New Zealand, even though fitted for short-wave reception, are not suitable for " F.M." reception. In these circumstances it is considered that the expenditure of money on this new system is not justified under the present conditions in New Zealand. Television Although progress is being made overseas in the improvement of television, universal standards of operation have not yet been agreed upon, and considerable development work is still being carried out. Owing to the very high costs of equipment and programmes, combined with the short range of the transmissions, it is impracticable to introduce a television service in New Zealand in the immediate future. The advances which are being made overseas are, however, being closely watched with a view to its installation when costs are sufficiently reduced. James Shelley, Director of Broadcasting.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (713 copies), £46

By Authority: E, V, Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1948.

Price 9d.~\

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