Urgency Taken On Broadcasting Bill

Press, Volume C, Issue 29673, 17 November 1961, Page 16

Urgency Taken On Broadcasting Bill

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 16. The Government took urgency for the committee stage debate on the Broadcasting Corporation Bill to get the debate completed tonight The bill sets up a threemember corporation to control radio and television broadcasting. It also authorises the issue of licences to private radio and television stations. The clause of the bill concerning staff appointments and superannuation benefits was opposed by Mr S. A Whitehead (Opposition, Nelson) on the grounds that employees had no right of appeal. He said the corporation could actually lower wages and conditions. Some sort of appeal authority was imperative. Mr Whitehead sought to introduce an amendment to an amended sub-clause which would place disputes in the hands of the Public Service Tribunal for settlement, but the Chairman of Committees (Mr Jack) after reference to Standing Orders ruled he could not accept it, and the clause was approved. Speaking to clause 31, which provides for the setting up of privately-owned broadcasting and television stations, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) said it was the clause to which the Opposition took most objection.

"It is inevitable the organisations set up for profit will take the road which will bring them the greatest profit," he said. There were thousands of ways in which making a profit could be justified but this was not one of them. Mr J. B. Gordon (Government, Clutha) said he could not agree with Mr Nash and the more conservative members of the Presbyterian Church, to which he himself belonged, that the licensing of private stations would lower moral standards. He urged the church to use television to get in touch with the people. Religious Broadcasts Mr L. R. Adams-Schneider (Government, Hamilton) said he knew of one religious organisation already providing programmes for overseas networks, which was eager to operate a station in New Zealand. "In a ease like this,” he asked, "would Mr Nash stand by his word and close down every station given a licence under this act?” Mr H G. R Mason (Opposition, Waitakere) said the matter concerned objectionable stations. "To make money they've got to cater for wider interests. And the wider the listener appeal, the lower the intellectual appeal must be ” The Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Kinsella) said these fears were unfounded because the bill provided for “sudden death” for anyone overstepping the mark. From a practical viewpoint private licensing fell down miserably, Mr A. J. Faulkner (Opposition, Roskill) said "If a sincere religious group is entitled to a warrant i>t must be conceded that the rationalists, who are equally sincere, are also entitled to one.” Could the Labour, National. Communist or Social Credit parties be denied a warrant either? Mr P. Blanchfield (Opposition, Westland) said it was "not ethical, not cricket and not British to hand over this heritage” to private enterprise.