BROADCASTS OF DEBATES

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24370, 23 September 1944, Page 6

BROADCASTS OF DEBATES

CONTROL OF RELAYS FROM THE HOUSE

OPPOSITION COMPLAINTS DISCUSSED

{From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 22.

The wrong 'impression that people might get of Parliament by listening to broadcasts of debates, and a suggestion that technical improvements might overcome this difficulty were discussed by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) when the House considered the broadcasting estimate to-day. The Minister in Charge of Broadcasting (the Hon. P. Jones) promised that technical officers would look into the question. Mr Holland also complained about the control of parliamentary broadcasting by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser),

Mr Holland said broadcasting was here to stay. It was one of the things which the Government had introduced which had turned out all right, but it could be be improved. At present it gave people a' wrong impression, and might undermine public confidence in Parliament. Microphones were so sensitive that private conversations could be heard. “A number of visitors I have had have said Parliament is nothing like as noisy as it sounds over the radio,” Mr Holland continued. "When they come they ask ne if there is anything doing, They mean, is there going to be a row. They think we fight like cats and dogs. We have our moments, but there is nothing like that.” Mr Holland asked who was in charge of the broadcasts. Who decided that the Minister of Finance should have seven stations, while the Leader of the Opposition had one, and when the broadcast should finish? These were questions demanding an answer. He suggested it was the Government Whips. When they went over to the operator they did not go for nothing. Mr A. S. Richards (senior Government Whip): They go for a walk. Mr Holland: It’s wonderful how quickly he shuts off after they go for a walk.

Mr Nash’s Suggestion The Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) suggested that Mr Holland’s first point might be met by having a Small microphone on each desk, but said he did not know whether that was practicable. He had only once heard a noisy incident in the House over the air, and he could understand the complaints of listeners. Control of Parliamentary broadcasting was exercised by the Prime Minister, who was as fair and as impartial as any person who could be found in the Dominion. If he had instructions to give the operator, he presumably told the whips. ' Mr Holland: They don’t seem to know whether they do it or not. Mr F. W. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga): Walking in their sleep. Mr Holland: Do you think it is fair for one man to be broadcast by seven stations and another, by only one? . Mr Nash said it would not be if the member broadcast a controversial speech, but Mr Holland was referring to the Budget, which belonged to everyone.

Mr Nash said all important statements should be broadcast over si! main stations. Mr Holland asked if that included the statement on the Army, made the previous evening by the Prime Minister. Mr Nash: Yes. Mr Holland: Well, it didn’t go over the air.

Mr D. W. Coleman (Gisborne), the junior Government whip, said the House normally rose at 10,30 p.m., so the broadcast normally stopped at that time. When the House sat beyond that time the operator was usually asked to continue to relay, but when the House was discussing the estimates, the relay usually stopped at 10.30 p.m., because there was so much repetition. Mr Holland; Because the Opposition is talking. Mr Coleman: That’s right. That’s why there is repetition. Opposition voices: Don’t you want the people to hear it? Mr Coleman added that at 10.30 p.m. the operator waited for whoever was speaking to finish. . Mr Holland: Particularly if it is a Minister. Mr Coleman said if the discussion was important the whips usually asked the Prime Minister if the broadcast should continue. On almost every occasion when the House was left sitting the Opposition had the last speaker on the air.