Politics Over the Air

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 16, 1 November 1929, Page 7

Politics Over the Air

F armers Want Privilege equate

A reflection of the extengive use of radio in the Australian political campaign was leard at the last meeting of the Dominion Pxecutive of the Farmers’ Union, when Mr. K. W; Dalrymple, of Bulls, brought up the question of the use of radio in New Zealand. He moved: "That application be made to the Minister of Internal Affairs that the prohibition in regard to broadcasting of political speeches be lifted in so fur as they will-per-mit the leaders of political parties in New Zealand to broadcast their speeches." em oe grt In speaking to the remit, Mr. Dalrymple mentioned that, during’ thé recent campaign in Australia,:*he had heard more of the views of the political leaders in the Commonwealth than ever he had heard in New Zealand. Radio: had been extensively used by all parties, and he felt that .in ‘this Way-a very excellent means of making contact with the people had developed. Politics were certainly of wide interest, and the people were entitled to utilise the best means of securing information on the views of those who aspired to be leaders of the country. No one.was forced to listen to political speeches unless he wished to, but he considered it’ was only right that country residents in particular should have the opportunity of listening to political leaders, more especially as they had so few chances, in comparison. with town people, of hearing the views of the different parties, Mr. H. B. Stuckey, of Dannevirke, seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted. It was decided to forward a copy of the resolution to the Minister of Internal Affairs. IN view of the extensive use made of radio in the recent Australian political campaign, and the desire expressed by members of the Farmers’ Union in New Zealand that the present restriction upon radio should be limited so that country people in this Dominion could enjoy. the pleasure of listening to political expositions of their views by leaders of the principal parties in New Zealand, the following extract from editorial notes appearing in "The Saturday Review" will be of interest. This paragraph indicates the likely trend of public opinion towards broadcasting in Britain. The @overnment have given more than one.indication since they came into office that they appreciate and mean to make use of the value of broadcasting as a method-of reaching the public ear. Mr. Snowden’s broad: east last Monday was a notable instance; if this alliance between politics and the-ether develops, not only will broadcasting assume a deeper importance in the national life but also the spoken word in politics may come into its own again. Kiven more significant has been the use of wireless during the past week -it is t6 continue-to broadcast the proceedings of the League Assembly. The League’s activities are notoriously under-represented in the Press; the B.B.C. has devised an effective way of bringing them into direct and intimate contact with every man and woman who éares to listen-a notable " work for internationalism. Mr. Vernon

Bartlett’s description of the opening of the Assembly and the wonderfully successful transmission of the Prime Minister’s speech should have doue much to. stimulate interest in an institution which, despite its growing importance, the popular newspapers persist in ignoring or ‘treating with amused cynicism.