MAY APPEAR ON TV

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31115, 19 July 1966, Page 18

MAY APPEAR ON TV

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 18. A television panel discussion between the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk), and the leader of the Social Credit Party (Mr V. F. Cracknell) is still regarded as a strong possibility in political and broadcasting circles. Mr Kirk and Mr Cracknell are in favour of a panel dis-

mission, while Mr Holyoake has not closed the door on the idea. Some time ago he said he regarded such televised discussions as “gimmicks," and said he did not believe in gimmicks. Since then, however, he has appeared on the same programme as Mr Kirk —though they did not appear together. On that occasion Mr Holyoake was interviewed by one person and Mr Kirk appeared later, being asked similar questions by another interviewer. Next week-end officials of

the three parties will meet in Wellington for a second discussion with officers of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corportaion. At the same time, the Social Credit Political League will hold a series of television lessons for 16 of its candidates, including Mr Cracknell. Closed circuit television will be used. In their first meeting with the broadcasting corporation, which was held recently, political officers put forward their ideas on radio and television coverage of the election campaign. The allocations of time for each party have not yet been decided. So far the talks have indicated that the corporation is prepared to allocate more time to speakers than in previous elections. Social Credit will get more 1 time than before, but will receive only a fraction of that accorded the two main parties.