BROADCASTING OF DEBATES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21760, 17 April 1936, Page 8

BROADCASTING OF DEBATES

OPPOSITION MEMBER’S COMPLAINT Trom Our Parliamentary Reporter, 1 WELLINGTON, April 16. A suggestion that frequent interjections from Government members had prevented listeners from hearing to the full the speeches of the Opposition members, which had been broadcast from the House of Representatives, was made by Mr S. G. Smith (Nat., New Plymouth) during discussion Of the New Zealand Broadcasting Boards report in the House of Representatives to-day. , . “I have spoken to persons who have been listening to the debates broadcast I from the House,” said Mr Smith, and they say it is strange that when any of the Government members are speaking they can be heard quite plainly, but when Opposition members get up there is a constant stream of interjections, making it difficult to hear the speakers over the wireless.” Mr J. A. Lee (Govt., Grey Lynn): Is that statement a reflection on the chair? Mr Smith: None whatever. On the contrary, my sympathy is with the Speaker. The Minister for Education (the Hon. P. Fraser): He does not need it. A Special Station

The proposal to broadcast the proceedings of Parliament from a special station, mentioned last week by the Prime Minister (the Hon. M, J. Savage) was talked about again in the House to-day, when members were considering the annual report of the Broadcasting Board, Mr Atmore considered that Parliament House should have a station with its own wave-length, and that every speech should be broadcast. Later in the debate, the Prime Minister said he agreed that it was not sufficient to broadcast two or three speakers. At the same time, it was necessary to move gently at the start, so that it would be possible to, broadcast Parliament without interfering with the rights or privileges of those listeners who wished to listen to other things. From all over the country, he had received letters asking for more broadcasts from Parliament, and praising the Government for what it had already done.