FIFTEEN TO SIX.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 221, 19 September 1938, Page 8

FIFTEEN TO SIX.

The allocation of broadcasting opportunities during the election campaign has been made by the Minister of Broadcasting, who is also the head of the Government, without consultation of the Opposition. Provision is made, apparently, for ten addresses for the Government, six for the National party and three for the Independents. The real position will be even more favourable to the Government. As one of the four members of Parliament recognised by Mr. Savage as " Independent " is retiring, presumably the members for Franklin, Nelson and Mataura will each have the use of the microphone. Neither Mr. Atmore nor Mr. McDougall is being opposed by Labour at the elections, and it would do both an injustice to suppose that they are not grateful to the Government. They may be counted as additional Government speakers. Then, on the three Sundays during the campaign, the Government will have the benefit of speeches by the director of commercial broadaasting, also actuated by a lively sense of favours past and to come. No one could mistake Mr. Scrimgeour's position. He is entitled to his own views, but the point of importance is that his views are disseminated from four stations (and a fifth is being rushed to completion). In the light of this fact and of the dependent state of two Independents, it will be correct to say* that the allocation of broadcasts is: Government, fifteen; National, six; Independent, one.