Let's Broadcast Parliament!

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 158, 24 September 1927, Page 24 (Supplement)

Let's Broadcast Parliament!

(Written, for THE SUN by "

"OBSERVER”)

■ E hear much of the “More business in Government.” Well, here’s a suggestion. How about installing a. wireless in the House of Representatives and broadcasting the pearls of wisdom and the scintillating diamonds of wit that issue from the mouths of the members? It’s almost easier to get into the Kingdom of Heaven than into the House when the session is on. Newspaper reports give but a bald outline of proceedings. Have I not sat through a members’ impassioned speech for the oppressed and next day discovered it in the paper dismissed in two lines? If it’s hard enough for the Wellingtonian on the spot to hear about the doings in Parliament, how about the poor old farmer out-back —with floods up and butter-fat down? Just think what a joy it would be for him after a hard day’s milking to tune into 2HL, Wellington, and listen to the member for Cowville agitating for better roads or more dairies and less control.

During the elections would-be members rush around electorates promising anything and everything. Trusting folk return them and they go to Wellington and are swallowed up in

the maw of Molesworth Street. Occasionally an echo of their activities reaches the outside world, but many of them compete for the golden crown of silence.

Now think how broadcasting would change all this and incidentally improve our revenue. There would be an instant demand for radio sets — more wireless means more five-shill-ings for the Government. No dbubt many members would find the necessity of taking elocution lessons to rid themselves of the pernicious habit of muttering into their back teeth or burying speeches in their beards. We might even discover a Burke, a Pitt or a Fox among them. All this means employment for someone. Then there would be a billet for a “Hansard announcer.” Some of our Quay Street orators might apply. I can hear something like this: “2HL, Wellington, speaking. Good evening, everybody! The House of Representatives is now sitting. (Perhaps reclining would be more accurate.) The ladies’ gallery (the ladies, God bless ’em!) is well filled. Many of the fair ones are knitting (sounds guillotinish), while the business of the country is being executed. “The hon. the member for Newmarket East is reclining on a couch. The hon. the member for Milktown is having forty winks. The hon. the members for Tawa Flat, Gear Island

tand Kaukapakapa are all indulu ja siesta. The hon. member fOrS Street is busy writing g e - TjtT j hon. members are strollinThe Speaker is now in the hon. the member for ScotsvtU ’ now speak on the Budiret ** -HL. Wellington, speaking-- * • • “Br-r-r, g-r-rr x x x!! Whizz - - - Br rr- x—x x’ i G r-r!” (Mum in the backblocks■ bad to-night. Dad." ’ Statics be dLS" that’s McTavish. ’) e j '.'-HL, Wellington, speaking tv noise you have just heard »•., statics, but a very able speech' br 2? Dugald McTavish. member for c Mr vlHe. It will be translated and cast to-morrow at 7 p.m. 2HL ington, speaking.” Or when words run high and rubers heckle: it would be as good == free fight to eld Dad to tune if, 5 “You’re a liar ” “You’re anothe—“Silence!’ “Order, order—withdr,. that remark” “Withdraw be d ,r “I’ll see him in Hades “Silence!’’ “Shame!” 'The member for Cowv: lie must withdraw his”' mark and the member for Wheal block must apologise.” “2HL, Wellington, speaking . slight altercation has just taken iW between the members for CowTflfi and Wheatblock. The Speaker in-ei

vened and the dispute ended inadra*. 2HL, Wellington, speaking.” And think what an education in how not to do it it would be to our youths studying civics. How it would dan the steam of eloquence! Chickens would certainly come home to roost Members would be doubly careful o! their utterances. They might be called on to explain why they promised to legislate against art unions and voted for a double totalisator and increases! facilities for racing. The postal revenue w-ould be swelled by wires ar d letters asking members tj “please-explain” many things to curious and irate listeners.

Wireless in Parliament might act as a blessing to many a sufferer from insomnia. Just imagine a weary soul tired of counting sheep, tired -ol Coueism, restless and miserable, tuning in to 2HL. Wellington, in the re sma’ hours and being lulled to slumber by a speech crammed with statistics.

Broadcasting in Parliament would act as a sea breeze blowing away much dust and cobwebs, dissipatng

much of the useless gas that clogs the atmosphere. It should speed up the real business of the country.

And between ourselves, I do beliene if -we had a little more publicity some of the members might sit up and take notice instead of actually lying down on the job.