AMAZEMENT.

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

AMAZEMENT.

OPPOSITION VIEW. INFORMATION WANTED PERSISTENT QUESTIONERS. "WILL FEES BE REDUCED?" (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Monday! ' . The Broadcasting Bill, ■which was introduced tc-niglit, is one of the most contentious measures that the Labour Government has brought down. The Opposition was at once alert, and a succession of speakers sought information concerning the proposals of the Government, and expressed surprise and amazement at the'/intention of the Government to establish commercial stations for the ;J broadcasting of advertisements.

The former Postmaster-General, Mr. A. Hamilton (National, Wallace), was a most persistent. questioner in asking the Postmaster-General to explain the provisions of the bill. Mr. Hamilton said that according to the < newspapers there was a possibility of a new Minister being appointed, a Minister, of Broadcasting. At least that was hinted at. He suggested that the bill should be referred to committee in order to obtain the views of listeners. He also wondered what was goin<r to happen to the board. (Government "Ohs." and laughter.)

Mr. Hamilton wanted to know whether the bill was to be a "Broadcasting Bill." He thought the Minister should give as much information as possible to the House, as the debate might start hurriedly, but he could Tiot object to that, as the recess was so near.

The Postmaster-General, Mr. Jones, said the bill would repeal the Broadcasting Act of 1931 and the amendments made to it in 1034 and 1&35. A new bill was being brought down as amendments vould only lead to confusion. It was the 'intention of the Government to take direct control of brondcasting. "The main provision abolishes the Broadcasting Board," said the Minister. "Will that satisfy the member for Wallace ?" Right to Advertise. Continuing, ho said the bill would place broadcasting under the direct control of a Minister of the Crown. Under the bill there -would be appointed a director of broadcasting under the direct control of the Minister. The B stations would remain numerically the same and

would rcceive subsidies from the Government. The revenue of the A stations would continue to come from license .fees and provision had been made for the establishment of commercial stations to be known as C stations. They would then have A, B and C stations. Mr. Hamilton: Where are the subsidies coming from? The Minister: Portion of the license fees will be set aside to pay subsidies. The commercial stations will be owned and controlled by the Government. They are the only stations that will have a right to advertise. The Government intends to control broadcasting and if advertising is to be allowed over the air the Government will do the job, and if they see fit will establish commercial stations for that purpose. Mr. Hamilton: Under the control of the Government?

■ The Minister: Yes. I know that surprises you. It surprises the member for Wallace that wo should own and control commercial stations, but that is our intention. Tho Minister said that no transfers would be allowed without the consent of the Government. It was possible that there would be a Minister of Broadcasting. The service was growing and in the next few years more people would be listening in to an improved service and then it might be necessary to appoint a full-time Minister, and provision was made for that in tho bill. The revenue, from commercial stations would be used for broadcasting purposes. Tho Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Forbes, asked whether there would be anv reduction in listeners' fees. ■ The Minister said the bill did not provide for that, but ho indicated that if listeners' fees could be reduced that would be done later on. Sir Alfred Ransom (National, Pahiatua): Any political propaganda provision 1 The Minister said that he thought the broadcasting of Parliament had been acceptable to everybody. The Opposition must agree that they had been treated fairly. Both sides had been given the opportunity' of stating their case. Mr. Savage "Makes it Plain." Mr. Forbes asked whether the Government was taking steps to place statements of opinion . before the public through the medium of broadcasts. The Prime Minister, Mr. Savage: I want to say frankly and firmly that I see no stopping place at all. I repeat what I have said to the newspapers, that the people are entitled to know the best, and they are entitled to know the worst and know exactly what Parliament is doing and what the Government proposes (to do, or why it has not done certain : things. The Government has a duty, to the people in this country and we will not keep them in the dark in any way. I say again what I have stated before, I what the newspapers neglect to do the broadcast will do. There is no stopping place. We have said that we have a farreaching programme and we want the people to understand 'it. I hope the honourable gentleman will understand that we are not going- : to wait for -the; newspapers or the Opposition to tell',us. where we go next. We go straight ahead with our programme, and we tell : the people that we are going straight'ahead. That is plain, is it not? : : ' Mr. Forbes: That is. . Mr. Savage-: lam glad I have made it plain to the Leader of the Opposition. I ■ will sit -down. ; "