Variety (Feb 1942)

Wednesday* Febrnary 11, 1942 RADIO 29 CANADA RADIO CONVENTION RAIL REFORMS MEET PROTESTS Broadcaster* Told 'HinU to Editor*' Principles Could Be Adopted to Provide Valuable Off - the - Record " Guidance on Public Opin- ion—^Third Wartime Con- vention Hears CBC I* 'Friendly' to Commercial Indies MILLER TALKS casting equipment' was' one of the most troublesome problems ot the past year, Bannerman reported. Many technical points were in- volved in the importation of mate- rials from the U. S. But recently, A. A, Walker, in charge of priori- ties at Ottawa, informed him that the entire problem has been sim- plified and he thought C. A. B. mem- bers would be pleased with the po- sition that would now be accorded them for getting replacements. De- tails on this point will be available in a week or so. Also bullish was statement that no future advertising campaign by the Canadian government is planned without taking broadcasting. into consideration. Too Much Charity B. W. KcighUy, advertising man- ager of Canadian Industries, Ltd., and past president Association of Ca- nadian Advertisers Assn., said there U.ere too many appeals for charity and near-war work going out over the radio. They were building up By C. W. LANE Montreal, Feb. 10. The Canadian ' Association of Broadcasters opened its annual con- vention here yesterday at the Windsor' hotel with ' 62 members present and B large delegation of guests from the United States. It was the third convention in wartime for the association and the first for the paid president. Glen Bannerman, after his year on the job. Bannerman got compliments but his pet project, a study of 'The Standardization -of Rate Structures' was subject to an unexpected attack Monday, causing its deferment until today. It is Bannerman's view that simplifled and standardized rate cards as between all stations ought to be approved as present com- plexity is a nuisance involving clerical and other frustrations. Ad vertising agencies would be more congenial to Canadian radio if it were easier to do business, he holds, With resamptlon of discus- sion on standardization of rate structures today (Tuesday), the whole matter went over until next year's convention. It was ' the clansc barring frequency discounts on spots that was op- posed. Gordon Love ot CFCM, Calgary, and J. N. Thivlerge of CHRC, Quebec, won a close vote after seven hours of discussion, 16 tor postponement, 15 against, 21 not voting. Tardstick' tor measuring . local station audi- ences was approved. It will be set up by a committee com- prising broadcasters, agencies and sponsors from the respec- tive trade associations. A fund ot 15,000 Is avalUble. Convention first heard Bannerman report on negotiations covering various business details between the cmmercials and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Govern- ment agency having jurisdiction over all stations. Its own and its indie contemporaries. CBC Board of Governors meets again in March and some favorable action is hoped for, especially on transcription regula- tions. Association also wants change in official ruling that an advertiser may not use more than, one station in any given centre. In effect this prevents sponsors using, the CBC's network (the only one allowed in Canada) from making supplemental use of local stations in towns getting CBC .network broadcast for same advertiser. And where certain con tracts are cleared, the CBC adds 15% to the 15% agency commission, the latter item also being a C.A.B, grievance. Bannerman told broadcasters the CBC displayed a friendly attitude on most of the moot points. Sponsored News With regard to commercial spon shorship of newscasts the Canadian publishers' hostility has abated, it was declared. A subsidiary Press News, Ltd., is now prepared to fur- nish a ticker service to stations, l^is gives Canadian broadcasters an other source of news apart from British United Press. Bannerman is urging that the ban on advertising sales of news periods be rescinded 'Priorities in respect of securing replacements and repairs for broad a callous attitude on the part of the public. It was not only an inefficient way of getting money but also li- able to affect success of the really necessary appeals. The essential problem of the day outside the war effort was how to build up the na- tion against the stresses and strains now being imposed on it. In this he thought radio was one of the most invaluable remedies. Radio could also help greatly in preparing the country for the great change that must follow the end of the war.' Wishful Thinking G. Herbert Lash, director of pub- lic information at Ottawa, told the convention not to count too much on the Russian campaign. He had not heard much of great captures ot Germans as the result of pincer movements and there was no de- moralization that he knew of in Ger- many. As to Japanese and other matters it was part of the business of radio to check wishful thinking. As to use of news services Lash said that much 'off the record' in- formation was sent to editors and greatly assisted in forming healthy public opinion, checking com- placency on the one hand arid too much pessimism on the other. This news was strictly censored, but helped editors guide opinion. He thought radio should make arrange, ments to enjoy this tip stuff as does the press. There should be a radio correspondent established at Ottawa to get this very special news which could be used indirectly in guid- ing public opinion. On a coop- erative basis it would cost stations all over Canada about %l per week per station. Uniforms Help - K. W. G. Clarke, director of De- partment of National Defense and in charge of public relations for the army, navy and air force, said that in Great Britain and Canada there was a very great use of uniformed officers on the staff, while in the U. S. only civilians were used. It was his experience that much more and more detailed accurate information was obtained by use of service men in confidential matters. Miller Talks Neville Miller, president of Na- tional Association of Broadcasters ot the U. S. A., was the luncheon speak- er. 'Some day the guns will be still, the last Unknown Soldier will be buried, and the nations of the world will gather around the peace table,' said Miller. 'On that table will be laid the list of those nations, and those leaders, who tried to destroy civilization, and radio—as used by them—will be listed as a powerful tool of aggression. Also on that table will be laid the names of those nationals and their leaders who fought to save civilization, and radio will be on that list, and it is your job, and my job, to see that it is written in letters of gold.' San Diego.—William A. Evans has been named commercial manager ot KGB, Don Lee outfit here, succeed- ing Dan Donnelly, transferred to Santa Barbara, EVERY MIGHT AT 9:30 OVER THE MUTUAL BROADOSSUNG .SYSTENV COCA-COLA PRESENTS A SPOTLIGHT BAND— "BUTVOU CAN BET YOUR. JUMAO IT Wia BE A -W WGVn BAND ••• BECAUSE 18 OUT OETHE TOP goPADIODAILY DANCE BANDS WERE IN m . SPOTUCHT THE FIRST I3WEB<S ' MIITIIAI "r^^^EM^^^ FIRJT—FIRJTTHREE IflU I UrlLi iTAIL/V\ NEWS-SPORTS-POPULAR MUSIC