PARLIAMENT RADIO LICENCE FEE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26264, 8 November 1950, Page 8

PARLIAMENT RADIO LICENCE FEE

MR DOIDGE’S DEFENCE

“ LISTENERS RECEIVE GOOD VALUE” (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. November 7. Listeners paid only about three farthings a day. and for that they received good value, said the Minister in charge of Broadcasting (Mr F. W. Doidge) in the House of Representatives to-day, when the vote on the estimates of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service was being discussed. He said it was true that, he had when in Opposition advocated a reduction in the licence fee of 25/-. but he had taken over the administration at a time when the service was ceasing to make a profit, and the development of new services was still making heavy demands on the reserves that had been built up. Mr Doidge said that the new type of alternative programme was now available in three cities and would be extended to Dunedin soon. These programmes were completely free of jazz, but there were other programmes still catering for those who appreciated modern music.

Mr Doidge said that steps had recently been taken to offset the deficit which had occurred in the broadcasting service during the last year. Advertising rates on the air and in the “New Zealand Listener” had been raised.

Many new developments were under consideration, and planning was required so that television could be provided within a reasonable time. The broadcasting service was now costing more than £1,000,000 a year, but although revenue was increasing it dia not keep pace with rising costs.

Mr Doidge said that the present reserves of £1.500,000 would be earmarked for specific purposes. Much modern equipment was needed, and above all better accommodation was required for broadcasting staffs, especially in Auckland and Wellington. Actual losses for the present year were estimated at £59,000 in spite of some economies that had been made in the National Orchestra and in other ways. Mr Doidge agreed that much of the criticism of serials was justified, but said that 10.567 fifteen-minute episodes were broadcast last year and it was difficult to maintain a high quality in all of them. ■ The Minister said that local talent was being given every encouragement, and local artists gave 25 per cent, more broadcasts last year than in the previous year. The question of more local religious broadcasts was now being considered. Critics of Service Before and after Mr Doidge spoke members criticised the service. Mr R McKeen (Opposition, Island Bay) said that some features broadcast over the commercial stations had been running so long they should qualify for social security. Between 7 p.m. and 8.15 p.m on a recent day he had heard six serials.

Mr H Johnstone (Government, Raglan) said that much rubbish heard from the stations cost dollars. He favoured an extension of hours but not to broadcast rubbish which cost hard currency. There was ample good material available without dollar expenditure.

Mr M. Moohan (Opposition. Petone) also complained that some serials from the ZB stations never seemed to end. TI.. thought that ample local talent was available and should be more freely used. Mr D. C. Kidd (Government, Waimate) said that too many radio programmes featured murders. This was a bad influence on children, and such programmes should be curtailed.

Mr Aderman’s Suggestion Mr E..P. Aderman (Government. New Plymouth) said he was surprised that so much tirhe should be taken up by young people listening to serials, and to remove that temptation when they should be concentrating on their school homework he suggested that radio stations broadcast their serials earlier in the day. He said he could hot understand \izhy some serials which were “a conglomeration of shooting and that sort of thing” were broadcast. Mr W. Freer (Opposition, Mount Albert) congratulated the department on the progressive steps made in improving radio programmes, but there was still the need, he Said, for one or more stations to provide a continuous musical programme throughout the day. Mr T. H. McCombs (Opposition, Lyttelton) said he had known the time of a country meeting postponed to enable those who would be-attending it to listen to a serial over a car radio. The Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Algie): Yes. but what was the counter-attraction at the meeting? (Laughter.)