TELEVISION IN N.Z.

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28927, 22 June 1959, Page 2

TELEVISION IN N.Z.

W.D.F.F. Asks For Investigation

(From Our Own Reporter) TTMARU. June 20. The Dominion Council of the | Women’s Division of Federated: Farmers decided to set up a small investigating committee to pre-i pare further evidence on tele-' vision for presentation to the Government. The conference had before it a remit from the Far North branch which proposed: “That to protect the homes of New Zealand from what could be the damaging effects of undesirable television programmes, a television programme censorship authority be established, comprising members nominated by educational and cultural groups and representatives of women’s organisations, and that television in New Zealand remain under Government control.’’ I “Other countries have learned. ! through bitter experience, that I certain types of programmes ■ bombarded into their homes through television have had a 'corrupting effect upon whole communities." said Mrs D. Wild 'Kaitaiai when introducing the remit.

“Television is a very lucrative industry, and ‘canned’ television will be imported into this country to back up advertising. This is inevitable, but need not be harmful if proper selection is made.” Mrs Wild said. “The rejection of the shoddy

is a public responsibility, and it is for the women of the New Zealand homes into which television will inevitably come to act now and express our preferences for the types of programmes acceptable to us." Mrs Wild said. “We in New Zealand are at the beginning of installing television on a Dominion-wide scone. Already organisations expert in the production of not only television sets but television programmes overseas are endeavouring to gain priority in New Zealand." Mrs Wild said. “If there is no vigilance on our part we. too. will find that the big business of television will not respect our unexpressed choice of programme." she said.