BROADCAST TALKS

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 238, 8 October 1934, Page 9

BROADCAST TALKS

CONTROL METHODS.

NO RIGHT OF APPEAL

OBJECTION EXPRESSED.

The attention of all members of Parliament is to be drawn by the executive of IZB Radio Club to the "most unsatisfactory method of controlling tbe B station broadcasts in Xe\y Zealand." "The recent ban placed upon the British-Israel Association is a very deiinite case in point of the dictatorial method adopted by the Post and Telegraph Department," says the executive, in a letter signed by its president, Mr. A. Rosser. "While we do not in any way associate ourselves with the merits or demerits of the British-Israel case, we most emphatically state that a system of regulation which allows an unqualilied ollicial to ban, without the right of appeal, any broadcast, is obviously wrong in principle. "Time and again electors have made urgent appeals to their representatives in Parliament to have the broadcasting regulations of this country overhauled, and we are compelled to say that after years of agitation the position is no clearer than it was at the start. "The case of the ban placed upon the British-Israel Association is only one of many typical instances which can be cited. The evidence is so convincing and clear 011 this matter that we feel justified in suggesting that you should ask for a commission to be set up to inquire into tlie whole circumstances. We feel that unless this is done promptly that the question of radio broadcasting will probably be made a definite issue at the next election. "We shall watch with interest the action that you take in this matter, ami we would remind you that the question is so urgent that only the action that is taken in the present crisis will influence public opinion, should this matter be made a political issue. "We arc still awaiting the Minister's pronouncement, as promised in his reply to a question asked by Mr. Bapiard some time ago, regarding (lie broadcasting of controversial talks."