RADIO AND PUBLIC SPEECHES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22242, 5 November 1937, Page 12

RADIO AND PUBLIC SPEECHES

CRITICISM BY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE POLITICAL INFLUENCE NOT WANTED [From Our Own Reporter.] TIMARU. November 4, “There is altogether too much broadcasting of public speeches and debates, and if a plebiscite were taken among listeners, a vast amount of it would be cut out.” said Mr R. H. Nimmo (Wellington). speaking at the conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce to-day on a remit urging the freedom of broadcasting from any kind of partiality. He opposed strongly the suggestions in the f m eit freedom of expression, as in the newspapers, should be permitted over the airT and that board control should be “I quite agree about the propaganda from the Prime Minister’s department, said Mr Nimmo. “The first thing 18 absolute impartiality. But if we throw the gates wide open every organisation in the country will want to have a go. Who is to stop Communists speaking over the air, as they do in Hyde Park, in London?” , . “Why not?” remarked a delegate. “Have you ever heard Communists speak?” rejoined Mr Nimmo. If you bad you wouldn’t want that sort of thing to be spread." „ . . He firmly believed that the appointment of Professor James Shelley as Director of Broadcasting had been wise: but he considered that the director should be immune from political influence. The broadcasting service could not be more efficiently controlled than by the manager (Mr W. J. Hands) and Professor Shelley. The last board had been largely a political board, and almost the only function of a board would be to apnrove the recommendations of Mr Hands and Professor Shelley. . . .. Q If freedom were to be given on the air to all shades of opinion, he added, special stations would have to be erected. as the national stations were already over-taxed. The Government should discontinue broadcasting every evening from the Prime Minister’s office, unless a similar privilege was granted to the Opnosition. said Mr A. G. Lunn (Auck’and). who introduced the remit, further no particular religious organisation should be given preference. Hr urged complete and ireedom from political control. . The following remit was carried: “That broadcasting should be impartial and free from political control, subject onto to the ordinary press limitotions and' responsibilities and to the "dual rights otb°rs; and that raoto matters generally should be controlled bv a board consisting of the Director Broadcasting and the manager, wit* 1 *he addition of a member representin'* -eceiving licence holders.”