Officially Opened by Colonial

Suva Radio Station

Officially Opened by Colonial Secretary

THE second broadcasting’ station in the Pacific Islands, situated at Suva, Fiji, was officially opened on March 14 by Mr. C. J. J. T, Barton, Colonial Secre tary.

There was a large attendance at the ceremony, including the heads of all Gov ernment departments, and representatives of leading business firms. Addresses were delivered by Sir Henry Scott, K.C. (mem ber of the Legislative Council), and an appropriate introduction to the station by the Marchese Marconi was broadcast from a recording.

Mr. E, T. Fisk, Chairman of Amal gamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd. spoke from Sydney, his speech being carried to Fiji via A.W.A.’s short-wave broadcaster VK3ME, at Melbourne, and re-radiated by the Suva station. Mr.

Fisk complimented the people of Fiji on the progressive spirit which had actuated their enterprise.

It was a matter of pride, he said, that the station was built entirely by British capital and great credit was due to the Governor, Sir Murchison Fletcher, on the success of his endeavours to bring about its establishment. A.W.A. was pleased to be able to give Fiji listeners broadcast ing in the form of sound. At a later stage he hoped to be able to give them tele vision, but not in the immediate future.

The new station was designed and con structed by Amalgamated Wireless (Aus tralasia) Limited for the Fiji Broadcast ing Company. It operates on a frequency of 920 kilocycles (327 metres), and is con structed on the latest principles of radio science. The station uses the call sign

Zjv.

The first broadcasting station in the South Seas, 4PM, Papua, was opened at the end of 1935. It is reported that later in the year a station will be erected at Rabaul, New Guinea.