BROADCASTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 170, 20 July 1935, Page 10

BROADCASTING.

LISTENERS' PLAINT.

REPRESENTATIVES' DUTY.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

An allegation that Mr. E. Palliser, the North Island listeners' representative on the New Zealand Broadcasting Board, had not up till the present shown any appreciable interest in Auckland radio listeners was made by a deputation representing the United Listeners' Club, which waited on the Postmaster-General, Mr. Hamilton, this morning.

As chief speaker for the deputation, Mr. A. Thompson, president of the club, asked the Minister who had nominated Mr. Palliser and what interests he represented. At the outset, lie said. Auckland listeners had been keen that the board should be an elective one, and when the listeners of the Dominion had been given two representatives the position had appeared very satisfactory. Now, however, listeners felt differently. Nobody could effectively represent listeners 011 the board unless he kept closely in touch with them. Tll Auckland it was felt that the listeners had been somewhat ignored. As far as the club was aware, their representatives 011 the board had not got 111 touch with local listeners. The listeners' organisation in Auckland was very strong and there were similar organisations in Dargaville and Tauranga. and the deputation represented all those people.

His organisation. continued Mr. Thompson, had been una bio to find out through what listeners' associations Mr. Palliser had been appointed to the board, and to what extent he was actively representing listeners. There should be no secrecy about the matter, aiul it was felt that, as listeners, thev were entitled at least to meet their representative. Communications re-

ceived from Mr. Palliser had merely suggested that the local listeners should put their representations through the local members of the board, but the listeners did not feel tbat they should do that, as the local representatives had been appointed to the board for other qualifications.

Listeners' Support Desirable. Mr. Harper White, secretary of the dub. said that so far bis organisation had not had any definite information as to what listeners' inteiests had nominated Mr. Palliser and kindred chilis did not know, although the Minister had informed a deputation that had waited on him in Wellington that the listeners' representatives would be selected from names submitted by recognised listeners' clubs. Mr. Palliser represented a considerable body of people, and his position on the board would be greatly strengthened if be got the support of the listeners. The only way in which lie could get that support was to show listeners who he was, what he was, and what interests he represented. The deputation wished to remove any doubts and to let listeners know that Mr. Palliser was their representative.

Mr. 11. .1. Dixon, treasurer, said that the deputation was not in any way trying to be destructive and that it was its wish to be constructive. The listeners wished to assist the Government and the board, for it was recognised that broadcasting in New Zealand was growincr into a l>ig concern and required a lot of looking after. It did not appear that anything could be gained by secrecy.

Minister's Reply. Tn his reply. Mr. Hamilton stated thai the Act said that two members of the board were to be appointed from nominations made by the listeners, and not that they should be members of listeners' leagues. In selecting the board an effort had been made to distribute the representation over the whole of New Zealand. Three members of the board came from Auckland, so that Auckland was well represented on the board. The listeners' representatives had been nominated by listeners' leagues and both of the men chosen had been nominated bv two leagues. Mr. I'assniore. the South Island representative, was one of the most expert radio men on the board.

In regard to Mr Palliser's appointment, the Minister said that when he had seen his qualifications he had formed the impression that he was a good representative. He understood that he was the head of bands in New Zealand, a community singing authority and a man well versed in entertainment. He understood that he had been nominated by listeners at Palmerston North and Timaru.

Mr. Hamilton said that he might lie able to arrange for the listeners' representatives to come to Auckland. They were representing the listeners, and it was desirable that listeners should get a fair hearing on the board. A member of the deputation: We get back a reply from the gentlemen to the effect that they are too busy. The Minister: That may be so. Another member of the deputation: We feel that it is their duty to come to Auckland. Salaried Positions. Mr. Thompson said that it had to be remembered that the positions of members on the board were salaried ones and not honorary. The listeners' representatives had never even said that they would like to meet Auckland listeners, but had simply told them to put their complaints or other matters through the local representatives.

The Minister: I wotilcl think it would be very wise for them to keep in touch with listeners' leagues. The board is working fairly well, as far as we can

After Mr. Thompson had stated that his organisation would invite one of the listeners' representatives on the board to attend their annual meeting, the Minister intimated that he would do what he could in the inatter.