BROADCAST DEBATE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 153, 16 July 1937, Page 10

BROADCAST DEBATE

-Press Association.)

Government Refuses Politicians' Request "IMPORtANT PRINCIPLE"

(By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, Last Night. The refusal of the broadcasting authorities to peraiit a debate on Socialism between Mr. F. W. Doidge and Mr. W. J. Lyon, M.P. for Waitemata, to be broaacast from 1YA was the subject of comment by Mr. Doidge iu an address at a meeting of the National Party at Mount Albert tonight. He said an important principle was involved and considerable interesL would attach to thc ultimate decision of the Minister. ' ' Following my recent address on Socialism ht a meeting of the People 's University, Mr. Lyon expressed a desire to debate the subject with me," Mr. Doidgo said. "I glady accej'ted the challenge and suggested that 1YA would provide the best forum. Mr. Lyon unhcsitatingly concurred and offercd to make tho necessary arrangements. "I have since been informed by Mr. Lyon that the manager of IYA would wclcome such a debate provided it was approvcd by the authorities in Wellington. Mr. Lyon telegraphed in succession to two Ministcrs of tho Crown. In eacb. case the xeply was the same. New conditions concerning broadcasting are under consideration and at present tho debate between Mr. Lyon and myself is out of the question. "In the days when free speech ovei the air was our 'common right there would have been no trouble in staging such a debate," Mr. Doidge concluded. "The application lodged by Mr. Lyon ]and myself must be regarded in the ilight a test case. An important principle is involved ahd considerable .interest will attach to the ultimate decision of the Minister."