Radio annual (1938)

Patents — The importation of American radios into the Netherlands on a commercial basis is not permitted because of the control of basic patents by the Philips Company. Although doubt has been expressed of the validity of these patent rights, any dealer attempting to import American radios is liable to an injunction action in the Courts of this country. No case up to the present has been carried to the highest court of appeal, so that the question is still in abeyance, but the position of Philips is considered to be a strong one. As a practical matter the Philips concern continues to enjoy control of the market. Tariff Restrictions — The customs duty on radio sets with built-in loud speakers is 12 per cent plus a compensating duty of 2 per cent and a 10 per cent sales tax; on radios without loud speakers, the compensating duty is 1 per cent plus a sales tax of 4 per cent; on loud speakers the compensating duty is 2 per cent and the sales tax 10 per cent. Television — Television in the Netherlands is still in the experimental stage although the progress already made in overcoming technical difficulties would, it is reported, justify the utilization of television in the Netherlands to the same extent as is being done in England, where performances are being given regularly. The Philips concern has secured a number at its laboratories at Eindhoven. The reproductions obtained with the company's newly developed 22-tube sightand-sound receiver are considered satisfactory even when compared with the best obtained thus far elsewhere. With iconoscopes built in its own laboratories, both outdoor > scenes and motion picture films can be transmitted direct, without the intervention of photography, by socalled interlacing at 25 pictures per second; in this manner, larger and clearer pictures are obtainable. There are still many improvements needed, but Philips has introduced complete television transmitters and receivers. This is some indication that the technical difficulties are being surmounted. Short Wave — More all-wave sets are now being offered for sale in the Netherlands because the Netherlands is interested in developing shortwave broadcasting with its colonies and because listeners desire the option of tuning in on the short-wave band. American short-wave programs can be received in the Netherlands but the great obstacle is the difference in time which makes clear reception possible only with very selective sets. Broadcasting Revenue — Broadcasting in the Netherlands derives its revenue almost entirely from voluntary contributions to one of the four broadcasting associations in the Netherlands. These associations publish periodicals subscriptions to which as well as advertising therein are an important source of revenue. Owners of receiving sets pay no license fee. Advertising — Broadcast advertising is prohibited by law. Transcriptions — Considerable use is made of phonograph records for broadcasting but the market for American transcriptions, even without advertising, is negligible. Sets in Use— 622,228'. Stations — 5. € NEWFOUNDLAND General — Radio has been developed in Newfoundland rather steadily since its beginnings, and the Colony constitutes a stable market of fair proportions at all times. American sets are popular, and the United States supplies practically all of the sets sold. The maritime nature of the country has probably been responsible for a greater appreciation of radio than would have otherwise developed. There is no retarding feature other than the two-dollar receiving license fee. The reduced import tariff of 1935, under which there is no preferential treatment of British goods, has been a further aid to the sale of American sets. Sets in Use — According to the 1935 Census Report there are 7,240 radio receiving sets in operation on the Island. It is believed that this figure is conservative, as many owners of receiving sets have not reported to the Government. More than 90 per cent of the sets in operation are all-wave. More than 80 per cent of the receiving sets are of American origin, and this number is constantly being augmented by new importations. Sources of Supply — American radio receiving sets and equipment have gained a strong position in the local market, which it hardly seems likely will be easily broken into by foreign competitors. Some few radio receiving sets are imported bj' private individuals from Great Britain each year. More than 90 per cent of the demand at present is supplied by American manufacturers, some 18 or 20 American radio manufacturers being represented in Newfoundland. Competition is almost entirely among these manufacturers, the only foreign competitor represented locally being the Canadian Marconi Company. American radio receiving sets retail in Newfoundland at prices almost double their wholesale prices in New York. Patents — There are no patents held by Newfoundlanders which affect the radio trade. Several foreign patents appear to have been registered in Newfoundland, but this circumstance has little or no effect on sales. The preference which seems to be shown by officials of the Department of Posts and_ Telegraphs for the Canadian Marconi Company is believed to be based on the fact that it is an Empire undertaking, and has no reference to any patent rights. Tariffs — The Customs Import Tariff, which was promulgated Jan. 1, 1935, assesses imports of radio sets and equipment at 30 per cent ad valorem, with no preference being given to sets and equipment of British _ manufacture. This reduced tariff has resulted in a considerable increase in the importation of American equipment. Short Wave — American short-wave programs are received in St. John's. Transcriptions — .Stations VONF and VOGY use transcriptions and popular^ dance recordings _ to iorm 60 per cent of their programs. During 1936 the Dominion Broadcasting Company imported for its own use transcriptions (15-minute recordings) valued at $1,500, U. S. cy. All of these transcriptions were imported direct from the United States. These transcriptions are rented out to individuals or organizations wishing to advertise over the radio. They are never sold outright. The turntable speeds are 78 and 33-1/3 revolutions per minute. Regulations— The Radio-Telegraph Act of 1930 governs radio broadcasting in Newfoundland. Sets in Use — 7,240. Stations — 15. € NEW ZEALAND General — Number of licensed receiving sets in operation on July 31, 1937 was 251,572, an increase of 48,144 or 23. 6 per cent over those licensed at the same period in 1936. Radios are generally sold through wholesale distributors in the four principal cities, Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. There are about 1,200 dealers, both wholesale and retail. The great majority of American sets are imported without cabinets in order to escape the higher import duty levied on complete machines. Sources of Supply — The principal makes of radio, other than domestic sets, are imported from the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, (H. M. V.) Canada and the Netherlands (Philips), in order of importance. American sets are estimated to comprise 70 per cent of all imported sets sold. Locally manufactured sets comprise approximately 55 per cent of total sales. Patents— With respect to radio patents, the New 952