CONTROL OF N.Z.B.S.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 16

CONTROL OF N.Z.B.S.

Suggestion Of Independence

(N.Z, Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 16. Suggestions that the Government is considering independent control of both broadcasting and television are supported by an article in the latest issue of the Public Service Journal. In an article on the status of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service employees this organ of the Public Service Association quotes a reply received from the chairman of the Cabinet committee on Government Administration (Mr Shand). He is reported to have told the association that no final decision had been taken on the future status of N.Z.B.S. employees, but it would need to be resolved “when commission control of broadcasting and television was introduced.” He also invited the association to place its views before the Government committee on television. The association told the committee that although it was not opposed to commission control it wanted to be sure that broadcasting employees’ rights would not suffer. Before any change was made it considered there was an onus on those supporting the change to substantiate the proposal. If it was designed to set up a commission which would be responsible for policy and certain other decisions independent of the Government and the Minister, then this could be done without affecting the status of public servants. The association gave as an example the National Roads Board whose decisions were carried out by Public Service employees.