8. It is considered that the main immediate effort in most territories shoule directed to the development of transmitting services. The central funds likely to be aveable in the near future could not be stretched to cover both the improvement and expansion of transmitting services as well as the formidable sums which would quickly become involved in any substantial subsidy for receiving facilities. There now seem, moreover, to be improved grounds for hoping that the development of transmitting services will encourage manufacturers to produce suitable receivers at prices within the reach of more people in the Colonies. I understand, for example, that several British manufacturers are already producing suitable receivers at a wholesale price of £3 or £4; and one at least, by securing the co-operation of local distributors, will shortly be able, at least in certain Colonies, to offer a receiver at a retail price of £5.
9. This preference for the transmitting side of a broadcasting service, though sound as a general principle, should not, however, in my view, be carried so far as to exclude altogether any consideration of participation by Governments in the distribution and maintenance of listening facilities, whether by a limited initial purchase of cheap receivers, the collection of receivers, for repair or replacement, the transport of batteries or any other ways of assisting or encouraging commercial agencies to overcome formidable difficulties. Detailed information is available on the part played by Provincial Governments in India in the provision of communal listening facilities in rural districts and on the plans of the Government of Northern Rhodesia for assisting the distribution and maintenance of cheap domestic receivers. This will be gladly supplied to any Government on request.
10. I hope that this financial aid and the signs of a more responsive and enterprising attitude by radio manufacturers, to which I have referred, will encourage Governments to give early and practical consideration to the establishment or development of broadcasting services on the broad lines suggested in this and in my previous despatch on the subject under reference.
11. This Circular despatch has not been addressed to the Governor of Malta, nor to the Administrations of Antigua, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis or the Virgin Islands.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
A. Gecedores
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