The Public Last

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27989, 8 June 1956, Page 10

The Public Last

The New Zealand Rugby Union will make no friends by its attitude towards the broadcasting of the South African team’s provincial matches. The public, upon whom the union relies for its funds, have been the last to be considered by the union in its arrangements with the New Zealand Broadcasting Service. On the eve of a tour which may well break all New Zealand records for attendances at matches, for gate receipts, and for public interest generally, the union is prohibiting a service which the public want and which the broadcasting authorities are willing and anxious to provide. The union has said that it might let the public be given this service—for a consideration. What it thinks the consideration should be has not been stated; and the union refused to name a figure when approached directly by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service yesterday. If the union hopes that the pressure of public opinion will compel the N.Z.B.S. to bid very high, it should be disappointed. The public will know whom to blame for a radio coverage of the matches which most will think inadequate and which many prominent Rugby union officials admit to be inadequate. Is it, after all, really necessary that provincial unions should be compensated for a problematical loss of revenue at their home grounds through some of their regular patrons staying at home to listen to national broadcasts? And if it is necessary, why should they not be reimbursed out of the New Zealand Rugby Union’s profits on the Springboks’ tour, which might be further boosted by this stimulus to public interest in the matches in all parts of New Zealand? The union is not only indifferent to the wishes of the public; it is taking a very short-sighted view of its own interests. As the Director

of Broadcasting explains in a statement printed this morning, the New Zealand Broadcasting Service, over 20 years, has paid the union a total of £20.000; and its present agreement with the union provides for an annual payment of £l5OO. Most will think this generous rather than adequate, especially in view of the important part played by radio in keeping the public informed about the game in good seasons and bad, and in helping to raise public expectation to fever pitch in such a season as this—in short, in helping Rugby union football to maintain its place as the national game. Other codes and sports would give much to obtain a small fraction of the publicity which the broadcasting stations give to Rugby football. The fees which the New Zealand Broadcasting Service pays for this “ privi- “ lege ” come from the pockets of the public—through radio licence fees or taxation. Most New Zealanders will think they are already paying enough in the increased admission charges to the Springboks’ matches without subsidising the New Zealand Rugby Union with an additional grant from the public purse.