BROADCASTING OF PARLIAMENT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21733, 16 March 1936, Page 3

BROADCASTING OF PARLIAMENT

PREPARATIONS BEING MADE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE ON THE AIR (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, March 14. For the first time in the history of New Ze&land, the public will, on Thursday, March 26, be able to hear the Speech from the Throne. In the past, the privilege has been limited to a selected few fortunate enough to secure tickets of admission to the Legislative Council galleries on the occasion of the formal opening of Parliament by his Excellency the Gover-nor-General, but the proceedings on Thursday week will be broadcast, and owners of wireless sets in every part of the Dominion will be able to hear Viscount Galway outline the Governments legislative proposals. The innovation is the result of the Labour Government’s decision to broadcast the proceedings of Parliament. Parliament, of course, will not be on the air continuously, but most important happenings will be broadcast over the national stations. The first important happening of the session will be the election of the new Speaker on Wednesday, March 25, and listeners will probably be able to hear the proceedings in the ■ House of Representatives. Then, on the following day, the microphone will invade the sacred prc-. cincts of the Legislative Council, and the Speech from the Throne will be heard in thousands of homes. In addition, loud-speakers will be installed outside Parliament Buildings, so that the crowd assembled to witness the pageantry associated with the opening of Parliament will be able to hear the. proceedings inside as well, t Technicians are at present engaged in-Parliament Buildings installing the necessary apparatus.