CONTROVERSIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 135, 9 June 1936, Page 10

CONTROVERSIAL.

BROADCAST MATTER.

POLICY OF GOVERNMENT. «FAIR BUN» PROMISED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. When tho Broadcasting Bill was introduced in the House to-night, Mr. J. G. Coatcs (National, Kaipara) raised the question of the broadcasting of | controversial matter. What about those J who did not see eye to eye with the Government, he asked. The Prime Minister, Mr. Savage: They will have a "go." Mr. Coates: What sort? The Prime Minister: Any sort. Mr. Coatcs: Who is going to decide what matter is to go over? The Minister of Labour; Mr. 'Armstrong: You decided that a few months ago. Further remarks by Mr. Coates about listeners not desiring to hear all sorts of controversial matter brought an inter-, jection from the Prime Minister about the Friendly Road. . Mr. Coates: What about it? The Prime Minister: That worked all right. Mr. Coates said that it seemed to be a very onersided course if the Govern-1 ment "intended to use the main stations j and give no opportunity to those who were opposed to the Government in politics and on public questions. Tho Prime Minister: You will-get a fair run. The Minister of Education, Mr. Fnaser: Has the right hon. gentleman ( any complaint to make about the fair-; ness of the broadcasting from the! House? ■ I Mr. Coates: About four to one, I think. Government Members: Oh, oh! Fiftyfifty. Mr. Coates said that the Opposition, which numbered about 18, should have some resemblance in the broadcasting to the opinion -it reflected at the election. The Chairman of Committees, Mr. E. J. Howard (National, Christehurch South) drew Mr. Coates' attention to the fact that he must discuss the provisions of the bill. Mr. Coates: But I don't know what is in it. The Postmasler-General hadn't the foggiest idea. "Over-riding Power." Mr. Coates said that the Prime Minister had stated that the Government was 1 no longer going to depend on the Press to suppress and distort. The Government represented 45 per cent of the votes at the election, and they were going to use over-riding power, with nobody to say no. The Prime Minister said that in the broadcasts from the House there had been a' Minister first, followed by a member of the Opposition, then a Government member, then one from the Opposition, then an Independent and then a Government member. Mr. Coates said that Independents had a great deal more than their percentage in the House warranted.' Mr. Fraser: At the expense of the Government numerically. Mr. Coates: I think that the Independents are getting more than they are entitled to. I say that unhesitatingly. /Mr. Coates; said that he was not complaining about what had happened up to the present.' The Opposition could fight across the> floor of the House if they thought th'ey were not getting a fair deal as far as broadcasting from Parliament was concerned, but v the explanation, of Government measures during the recess was a different matter. The moment political and controversial questions were introduced it could not stop at uncoloured statements.