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Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20035, 6 September 1939, Page 13

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RADIO FEE REDUCTION CHARGE OF PROPAGANDA “MAN IN STREET” TALKS DENIAL BY MINISTER (For Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. “We could have a full-dress debate for 12 hours on this subject,” declared Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Nat., Riccarton), wijen Opposition members in the House of Representatives yesterday raised the question of statements of a propaganda nature which they alleged were made during the “Man in the Street” sessions on the commercial radio station on Sunday nights. Other points raised during the brief consideration of the broadcasting estimates were the license fee and the giving of racing tips on Sundays. The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon, Adam Hamilton, suggested that the national radio service was a great, financial success with its accumulated funds nearly £500,000, the profit last year being £115,000. The Hon. W. Lee Martin: Well worth having shares in it. “It really belongs to the listeners,” replied Mr. Hamilton, “and it is doing so well the Minister should consider reducing the license fee by 55.” Mr. S. G. Holland (Nat, Christchurch North) complained that racing tips and information were broadcast, on Sundays from the commercial stations during church hours. This he considered very objectionable The Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. Jones: Did they get wrong ones? “Must Give Offence” Mr. Holland replied that he was not interested in that way, .but this practice must give offence to church people. It eould well be done in week-days. He did not wish to raise a debate, but he also desired to suggest that .the “Man in the Street” sessions should not be used to put over propaganda, but that something near the truth should be broadcast. Such a statement as that during the depression we had to seek cast-off clothing for one-third of the population was one which no sane man could believe.

Mr. A. S. Richards (Lab., Roskill): There must be a lot of insane people in the world, then. Mr. Holland suggested that this kind of statement ought not to be put over during these times. That session might he subjected to the new censorship which existed.

The Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. I .Tories, replied that the service had done remarkably well during the past year. The commercial service had shown a profit of £IO,OOO. There had been very few complaints. He understood that racing results were sometimes given from overseas on Sundays, but he would be surprised to know' that racing tips were also furnished, though this might happen on a week-day. Mr. Holland: It happened last Sunday. Promise of Inquiry The Minister replied that his attention had not previously been drawn to this. He would inquire of the controller if this was the case. He was sure he would not agree to the practice It was difficult, he added, to satisfy everyone with the programmes, but no complaints had been brought to his notice in respect to the “Man m the Street” session. Sometimes people would not approve of the man _ In charge, but that was not a complaint. Mr. Holland: It is an abuse of the session. Mr’ F. W. Doidge (Nat., Tauranga): Why give this man the monopoly? The Minister: It is a matter of interpretation. It is a special service which had been provided since before the.inception of the commercial service. Ido not believe it has been abused during the last 12 months. Answering a request for a reduction of the license fee, the Minister stated that a reduction could not at present be considered in view of the improvements and advances being made. If television arrived, its provision would be very costly. Therefore there ought to be a reserve to develop the service and make progress in line with other I parts of the world.

The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Nat., Kaipara): I think the Minister believes what he says, but he must not be deluded. There is a substantial section of the community which will not listen to the “Man in the Street” session.

Mr. C. F. Skinner (Lab., Motueka): Are they compelled to? The acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, stated that the directors of both services were closely co-oper-ating to keep all semblance of partisanship olf the air.