Post_Office_1946-1947 — Page 5

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and many of the records are unplayable. The transmitting equipment has naturally suffered from negect, but despite these handicaps full programmes have been maintained.

Progress over the last year has a part from this factor been con- ditioned by the following:-

(a) A general shortage of wireless receiving sets which only increased at the end of 1946. This year there has been a large influx of sets, mainly British, into the Colony, and the realisation that the potential public has greatly increased is now an added incentive to the production better programmes.

(b) Staff. There have been inevitably too many changes to ensure continuity of development. It has at times been difficult to obtain keen and efficient volunteer announ- cers, but conditions for them were improved at the beginning of this year by 100% increase in the fees.

(c) Programme material. The records brought out by the Military Administration provided a useful stop gap for entertainment, but unfortunately our agreement with the Phonographic Industry lays down a maximum play- ing time for commercial records, and it is only recently that the invaluable London Transcription Service's records which are not covered by this agreement, have become available. Excellent work has, nevertheless, been achieved by local talent, notably the Stage Club, in providing such material and every assistance will be given to productions which are truly representative of the Colony.

The Children's hour which proved so popular before the war has been revived. It is regretted that due to the departure of the announcers to India in January, 1947, the Indian programmes have had to be discon- tinued for the time being..

The schedules of broadcasting have been as follows:

6 hours per diem of simultaneous transmission of English and Chinese programmes. Medium wave Z.B.W. (English) 12.30 to 1400 hours and 1800 hours to 2300 hours; Z.E.K. (Chinese) 12.30 to 1400 hours and 1800 to 2300 hours.

The emphasis therefore in the future will be:

(i) Technical improvements to the transmitters, as it

must be admitted that Z.B.W. and Z.E.K. the medium wave cover only a relatively small listening area;

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