INTRODUCTION OF TV

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28435, 15 November 1957, Page 14

INTRODUCTION OF TV

Delay Explained By Mr Algie

There were three reasons for the delay in introducing tele-

vision into New Zealand, said the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr R. M. Algie) speaking at an election address at the Scottish Society Hall in St. Albans last evening, in support of the National Party candidate for the electorate, Mr E. P. Wills. Mr Algie gave the following reasons for television’s nonappearance at the moment:— It was a luxury. It was a “pretty costly” luxury. It would cost New Zealand far more millions than it had got at the moment. "Obviously, we must have television. It is One of the movements of the age.” said Mr Algie. "People will want it. But let us see that they know what they are gettifig, that they know what it will entail, and that they know whether they can afford it.” "I say, ‘first things first,’” Mr Algie said. "As Minister of Education and Broadcasting, I have thought it better to go to Mr Watts for money for schools.” Agreement “Hear, hear, I will agree with you on that one, sir,” cried an interjector with whom Mr Algie had had several lively exchanges during his address. A television licence would cost about £lO a year, and it would cost about £2O a year for ordinary maintenance of a television set, Mr Algie said. “It’s certainly going to be costly,” he warned.

“What sort of programmes arc we going to get?” asked Mr Algie. "We can have the screen on the wall, but what about the programmes?” New Zealand could have only recorded programmes which other countries had had. Ordinary "live programmes" would be so costly to produce in New Zealand that viewers would not be able to get a very big proportion of them. “Next year, a Parliamentary select committee will be set up to look into the whole question of television in New Zealand.” Mr Algie said. "It will study the matter, and hear evidence, and it will report to. and advise, the Government. I think that is perhaps the best way.”