The Broadcasting Debate

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21418, 9 March 1935, Page 14

The Broadcasting Debate

The Postmaster-General was in a very generous mood when he thanked members of the House of Representatives for their " con- " structive" attitude towards the Broadcasting Amendment Bill. Certainly the Government and the Broadcasting Board were showered with advice; but most of it was so contradictory that it could be cancelled out. The attack on the bill consisted mainly of declamations against the monopoly principle and a great clamour on behalf of the B stations. An interesting er.ample of the first type of criticism occurred during the speech of tne niembet for Timaru. The passage is worth quoting: Mr C'arr said this country prided i- self on having free speech and a free press, and he wanted to know why the air should not be free also. The Hon. A. Hamilton (Post-master-General) : Would you give unlimited licenses for broadcasting? Mr Carr: Within reason. That is a matter where judgment would j have to be used. The reply seems to show that Mr I Carr, like several other members of

the House, was using the expression " freedom of the air," not because it meant anything in particular but because it was a phrase that sounded well. The problem of broadcasting is not to secure freedom but to secure a wise and impartial exercise of authority. The protests on behalf of the B stations would have been more impressive if the members concerned could have indicated more clearly what they wanted the Government to do. They agreed that something ought to be done to help these stations: but few of them were willing to advocate sponsored programmes and fewer still suggested that the Broadcasting Board should make special grants. The truth is that the champions of the B stations have not faced the logic of their position, wliic.li is that if the B stations arc to be permanent the Government must abandon its attempt to keep New Zealand broadcasting out of the hands of commercial or political interests. The only clause in the bill affecting the B stations which can legitimately be criticised is that which compels them to submit their programmes to the Broadcasting P.ourd for approval. Though Ihe board could use such a power oppressively and unfairly, it would be very foolish to do so; and in any case there is a virtual, right of appeal to the Minister.