SPRINGBOK RUGBY BROADCASTS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28003, 25 June 1956, Page 16

SPRINGBOK RUGBY BROADCASTS

No Charge To South Africa POLICY EXPLAINED BY MR ALGIE (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 24. “No charge is made to the South African Broadcasting Corporation for radio broadcasts to South Africa during the Springboks’ Rugby tour,” said the Minister in charge of Broadcasting (Mr R. M. Algie) in reply to an inquiry yesterday. “The general principle of such arrangements between Commonwealth broadcasting authorities is that broadcasting services are provided without charge,” said Mr Algie. “That was the principle which regulated the South African Broadcasting Corporations services to New Zealand in 1949, and it is the principle that regulates New Zealand Broadcasting Service relays to South Africa now.”

If, however, it was necessary to employ the services of another department, "these might be paid for, said the Minister. In 1949. the South African Broadcasting Corporation used a transmitter and long-distance telephone lines belonging to the South African Post and Telegraph Department for some services to New Zealand. The

charges, totalling less than £lOO during the tour, were paid by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service. Similarly, the question whether the South African corporation would be • charged for special services it had commissioned, notably in the use of the Himatangi transmitter, was one for the Post Telegraph Department. Mr Algie said.