BROADCASTING OF RUGBY TESTS

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27734, 11 August 1955, Page 12

BROADCASTING OF RUGBY TESTS

Appointment Of Mr W. McCarthy M.P.’S CRITICISE DECISION (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 10. "It’s not lair, and it's a monopoly ot the worst type to give all the broadcasts to one commentator," said Mr P. G. Connolly (Opposition, Dunedin Central) in the House ol Representatives today, discussing the reply ot the Minister in charge ot Broadcasting (Mr R. M. Algie) to a question urging the use ot local Rugby commentators throughout the tour ot the visiting Australian Rugby team. Mr Algie, : i his written reply, said that three early provincial matches would be broadcast by local commentators, and the remaining eight, including three tests, would be broadcast by the one commentator, who would have the advantage of familiarity with the players ol both sides. Mr" Connolly; said that the nqatter was a live .topic among thousands ot sportsmen throughout the country. Not everyone, he said, enjoyed “the screeching ot one gentleman all the time” or his descriptions of play. “How much is he being paid?" asked Mr Connolly. “I am told that he gets £6OO a year for two 15-minute talks a Week. How much will he get for the Australian tour games?” Mr D. M. Rae (Government, Eden) said he agreed “very largely” with Mr Connolly, but it was difficult lor the Minister to alter the decision which had already been made. Mr H. Watt (Opposition, Ohehunga) said he was disturbed that all the sports broadcasting “plums” went to Mr Winston McCarthy—tours overseas and around New Zealand, the commentating of almost all sports from League to athletics. Knowledge of Game The Director of Broadcasting (Mr W. Yates) , had said Mr McCarthy was chosen to broadcast molt ol the matches of the touring Australian team so that he would be conversant with the names of all the players. Mr Watt said he thought it more important for the commentator to be conversant with the game than with the players, and it was impossible for one man to know all about'all sports. It had been said that Mr McCarthy was the only commentator in New Zealand with international experience, said Mr Watt. He asked how it could be otherwise if no-one else was ever given an opportunity. It would be better for sport in New Zealand if other commentators were given the opportunity to broadcast international fixtures. Mr Algie said he had been kept fully informed of what was going on in the matter, and he had had several discussions with departmental officers. Mr Connolly: So the departmental officers won? Mr Algie said that Mr McCarthy worked tor the Broadcasting Service as a commentator, and received a fixed fee for so many broadcasts each week. He was called on for his services in other broadcasts. ’ • The service was very close to public opinion, continued the Minister, and if letters which the service had received were read it would be found that Mr McCarthy had his shoal of fans, as he had a handful of critics. There was no doubt that every local centre gave its own particular loyalty to its own commentator., but the broadcasting authorities were likely to kriow the pulse of New Zealand admirably, and would choose a man who was most likely to give the most satisfaction to the largest number of persons, said Mr Algie. Mr Connollv: Sheer guesswork. Mr Algie said it would be found on examination that those who criticised were nearly always the most vocal. Those who could and did support a man were reluctant to conic out in his defence. If an actual poll could be taken of the fan. mail received from the people of the country, it would be seen that Mr McCarthy had a shoal of admirers and only a handful of critics. “Right Decision” "The right decision has been made in this instance," said Mr Algie; Mr W. W. Freer (Opposition, Mount Albert) said that the appointment for the tour commentator should have been thoroughly examined by the service. He considered that the people were not getting the Tiest type of commentaries today, and exception was taken by many to commentaries not coinciding with events on the field. Mr C. G. E. Harker (Government. Hawke's Bay) said that because the newspapers in one or two cities were onposed to the appointment of the tour commentator, it did noV mean that the rest ot New Zealand was opposed. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) said he did not know anything about sports broadcasting, but “I’ve heard Winston McCarthy, and he is one of the most thrilling and exciting describers of Rugb - matches and other sports I have heard.” Mr J. G. Barnes (Government, St. Kilda) said he thought local sports commentators should be given the honour of broadcasting matches betweeen local teams and touring teams. He had received many letters and telegrams suggesting he support the case of the local Commentators, and he knew it was the wish of southern Rugby unions that he do so. The rpore conservative tastes of the people in the South Island should be catered for when matches were between touring teams and local teams, said Mr Barnes. Many of the people in the South Island did not like the “yelling and screamin’ and the familiarity of Christian names” used by Mr, McCarthy, he said.