LABOUR’S TV POLICY

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28421, 30 October 1957, Page 14

LABOUR’S TV POLICY

Mr Nash Speaks At Lower Hutt

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 29. Television would be introduced by a Labour Government at the first chance it had, provided it was on a reasonably profitable basis, said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) tonight, when opening his election campaign in his own Hutt constituency. Mr Nash said it was a case of findirtg the best way of introducing television' and the right time. Care should be taken in the introduction because changes taking place were so rapid and important that there was a danger of being behind the times with the system chosen. Mr Nash was replying to one of a number of questions he invited at the end of his speech. Other replies he gave were: Labour would continue the sale of State rental homes, but he did not know whether this would be under the same conditions as now.

Labour would buy large blocks of land, cut them up into sections, service them, and sell the sections at cost to persons wanting to build their own homes.

Labour would try to negotiate with power boards to see if the amount to be included in the increased electricity charges to provide for capital development could be reduced. Mr Nash had said earlier that he felt power charges in the Hutt Valley would rise by 30 per cent, as a result of the Government’s proposals, and about a third of this would be for capital expenditure. If the Labour Party became the Government he personally would be opposed to any extension of licensing hours —to hotels being open in the evenings—without another referendum being held.