MEMBERS' VIEWS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21409, 27 February 1935, Page 12

MEMBERS' VIEWS

ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL SERVICE [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, February 26. The introduction o£ the Broadcasting Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day was the signal for eager criticism of aspects of the present broadcasting system. Members, before hearing what the bill proposed, urged the Government to give greater assistance to B stations, to allow them to advertise, to arrange for the broadcasting of Parliamentary debates, and generally to develop the national service to the fullest possible extent. Mr F. J. Howard (Lab., Christchurch South) reminded the Government that Herr Hitler, Chancellor of Germany, had made a gesture of freeing broadcasting. but tint after a certain election he had taken charge of it again, and subjected it to close control. Mr Howard wanted to know if everyone in New Zealand was to have the right to use the "air," and if there was to be any special provision for B stations.

Mr A. E. Ansell (C„ Chalmers) considered it important that B stations' activities should not be circumscribed as they had been in the past. If it were not for the B stations, he said, the number of licenses would be reduced by 50 per cent. The programmes of the A stations were mediocre in comparison. Mr Ansell enquired whether there was to be someone on the new Broadcasting Board who would be able to arrange programmes which would be acceptable to the public, and whether any reduction in the license fee was contemplated. Mr A. J. Stalhvorthy (Ind.. Eden); The fee is to be 2f>s from April 1. Harmonic Difficulties Mr Clyde Can- (Lab., Timaru) referred to luirmonic difficulties experienced by Station IYA, and to the success with which they had been investigated and eliminated. Ho suggested that similar harmonic interruptions in Canterbury should also be eliminated. Ever since Station 3YA had been on its present wave-length, it had been impossible to hear a B station. "I believe this was done deliberately by engineers, on the instructions of the board,'' said Mr Carr. "That is a priceless indication of the board's dog-in-the-manger attitude. I also know why advertising is forbidden over the air. It is because the broadcasting service would compete with the newspapers' monopoly. It is about time those absurd restrictions were cut out. The newspapers know what their opposition is, and they are out to stop it."

Mr Carr also suggested that there should be musical and dramatic experts included in the personnel of the Broadcasting Board. It was stupid to have farmers on Ihe board, and nobody who understood music. considered, also, Hint the electrical interference regulations which ■ were gazetted last j'ear should be enforced. Mr H. Atmore find.. Nelson) referred to a B station in his electorate 1 which was kept going by public subscriptions. Since this station had been in operation, the licenses ia the district had increased by several hundred. "This is the greatest means of publicity the world has ever known," said Mr Atmore, "and yet it is being stifled in this country. The newspapers give only one side of the question in Parliament. It would be desirable to have both sides of the argument broadcast to the people; but the newspapers are not concerned with giving both sides." Use of Local Talent Mr J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Ly®n) said he had nothing to say against the A stations; but lie thought the B stations should be given more support. Not a day passed which did not give music-lovers an opportunity of hearing the world's greatest artists over the air; but little advantage was taken of Ihe opportunity to encourage local talent. New Zealand should be a nation of performers as well as a nation of listeners. Local talent should be organised and fuJly utilised, and local performers should be paid what they were worth. "Who is to be on this new board ofculture?" asked Mr Lee. Mr F. Jones (Lab.. Dunedin South): The Prime Minister?

The Minister for Finance (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates): You might be on it yourself. Mr Lee: Are controversial subjects such as those connected with the science of economics to be judged by the cultural members? Mr H. T. Amrstrong (Lab., Christchurvl: ~ast) said that advertising over the air was going to hurt nobody but the newspapers. The newspapers seemed to exert such an influence over those controlling broadcasting in Nqw Zealand that unreasonable restrictions were imposed on B stations. which should really be allowed to advertise. J\Tr R. Semple (Lab., Wellington Fast) said that some of the programmes broadcast from local stations were "pure unadulterated tripe." The best talent in the country was not allowed to use the air, because it was starved out. Political speeches bv Ministers and by the leader of the Opposition should be broadcast. Mr Semple had often heard speeches by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance read over the ajr. The Minister for Education (the Hon. S. G. Smith): I have often heard the leader of the Opposition quoted. Listeners and the Board Mr A. S. Richards (Lab., Roskill) considered that a listeners' representative should be added to the Broadcasting Board, and Mr P. Frascr (Lab., Wellington Central) thought that Par-

liament should have a broadcasting station unto itself. Mr W. Nash (Lab., Hutt) said he was opposed to advertising over the air. not only because of its effect on the listener. The advertising revenue of the press, coming mostly from wealthy concerns, made it necessary for the press to frame its views and outlook in accordance with thope of its advertisers. The same thing would happen with broadcast advertising, and this was undesirable. "But I believe that pressure was brought to bear on the Government by the Newspaper Proprietors' Association in regard to advertising from B stations," said Mr Nash. "Even in view of that, I am opposed to advertising over the air. It would become one of the most dangerous features of the system."

Mr A. Harris <C., Waitcmata) criticised the time limit imposed on broadcasting stations. He did not know why they were not allowed to carry on continuously. Mr 'Lee: How about applying that to politicians? The Acting-Postmaster-General 'the Hen. J. Bitchencr) explained the provisions of the bill, saying its main purpose was to co-ordinate the broadcasting stations. B class and all. He said the point had been put to him that listeners-in should be represented on the board, and he had expressed his willingness to hear a deputation on the subject. The Minister also explained that it was proposed that the control of broadcasting in New Zealand. with the exception of the issuing of licenses and the allocation of transmitting frequencies, should be placed in the hands of a board, which would also be authorised to prohibit any transmission which it might deem inappropriate for broadcasting. Mr A. M. Samuel (Ind.. Thames): That's the sting. IVIr Richards: Is there any right of appeal from the board's decision? Mr Bitchener: I don't know that lhat is provided for. but with seven members you can be assured that all due consideration will be given.