CITIZENS' FORUM

New Zealand Listener, Volume 18, Issue 455, 12 March 1948, Page 7

CITIZENS' FORUM

LLOWING the lead established by 3ZB, Stations 1ZB and 2ZB have _ introduced controversial broadcasts of the "forum" type which are being heard from both stations at 6.0 p.m. on Sundays. In its latest form Citizens’ Forum introduces listeners to something of the atmosphere of a political meeting, with selected speakers putting the pros and cons of their subject before an audience of ordinary citizens, who are allowed to interject, argue the point, and generally thrash the subject out in a thoroughly democratic manner. Several sessions have already been broadcast, on subjects like "Should Wellington Run Express Trams-to the Suburbs?", "Should the 40-hour Week be Staggered?" and Immigration. In Wellington, Citizens’ Forum actually takes place every Wednesday at 7.45 p.m. in the R.S.A. Hall (shortly to be changed to the Savage Hall in Kent Terrace), and is of course open to the public. The evening’s proceedings are recorded, and a polished-up version (with awkward pauses and so forth eliminated) is broadcast at 6.0 p.m. on the following ;

Sunday. A similar procedure is followed at Auckland, except that the 1ZB radio theatre is used. Competent Speakers To set a good pace from the start, anc get the audience on to the most profitable lines of argument, competent, and often authoritative speakers; are chosen. For example, the question of staggering the 40-hour week was debated by officia! representatives of the Federation of Labour, the Federated Farmers, and the Public Service Association. A chairman -in Wellington at present he is Professor Ian A. Gordon, and in Auckland P. Martin-Smith-presides over the gathering. For those who have not yet heard Citizens’ Forum in action, here is a brief outline of the proceedings at a typical meeting. Before microphones on the. platform are the chairman, and the selected speakers for the night, while in the body of the hall audience microphones ate installed. After a few preliminary words by the chairman stating the subject and indicating a few of its possibilities, the discusssion is opened by the platform speakers. No rehearsals have been held, so that although each speaker has studied his case beforehand, he doesn’t know what line any of the others will, take. This tends to produce a spirited and spontaneous debating of the subject, lasting for perhaps 20 minutes, after which the discussion is thrown open to the public. Audience Takes Part Once the audience becomes warmed up, arguments and interjections begin to fly as individual speakers air their views. There are a few humorous sallies and wisecracks, and all seem thoroughly to enjoy themselyes. At the end the

chairman calls on the official speakers to sum up, and eventually all the "citizens" depart, feeling probably that even though no one may have been convinced by anyone else, the subject has at least had a good airing. Altogether, a meeting of Citizens’ Forum will not last much more than an hour, and can be trimmed down to a stimuating half or three-quarter-hour radio programme. The pervading atmosphere at meetings seers to be one of spontaneity, enthusiasm, and sincerity. This radio adaptation of what is one of democracy’s oldest institutions is something novel for most New Zealand listeners, and as interest and enthusiasm develop, and more meaty subjects are debated, this enjoyable and instructive Wednesday or Sunday evening’s entertainment should command an ever wider audience. To set debaters thinking, here are a few of the topics suggested for future discussion: "How easy should we make divorce?" "Should. New Zealand athletes be paid a salary while touring?" "Should some form of sex instruction ba given in New Zealand schools?" "Should consumer co-operatives be encouraged?"