BROADCAST ISSUE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 35, 20 November 1937, Page 10

BROADCAST ISSUE.

PUBLICITY AT ELECTION. DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. (Ter Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 19. In the House of Representatives to-day, discussing the -vote of £9842 for the Electoral Department, the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. A. Hamilton) referred to the fact that under the Electoral Boundaries Commission’s re-, port the South Island lost a seat to the North. He thought it would have been only fair if an extra seat had been left with the South Island. In reply to a question by Mr S. G. Smith, the Attorney-General (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) said there was no prohibition on the issue of election pamphlets or tickets three days before the election. The only prohibition referred i;o mock ballot papers which might tend to mislead electors. Mr R, A. Wright (Independent, Wellington Suburbs) urged that there should be no party politics broadcast for three days prior to an election. Mr J. A. Lee: Would you also apply that to political articles and leaders in the press. Mr Wright: Yes, I certainly would, if it also applied to broadcasting. The Prime Minister, in reply, said he did not think it would be right to prevent political broadcasts three days before the elections. It would also mean newspapers could not say anything either. He did not mind what was said about him as long as he knew who said it or wrote it. He thought they should have political broadcasts right up to midnight before the election. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (National, Hurunui) referring to the Prime Minister’s proposal for broadcasts till midnight before an election, said one never knew what slander might be put over the air, and the person concerned would not have right of reply. He thought time should be given for a reply to be made to any charges which had been levelled. Mr Lee asked how they were going to prevent lying advertisements being published showing that the Post Office Savings Bank had been closed because the Labour Government was elected. The vote was passed.