N.Z.B.C. POST CONSIDERED

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30688, 2 March 1965, Page 1

N.Z.B.C. POST CONSIDERED

(From Out Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, March 1.

The chairmanship of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation and other matters affecting its operation were discussed today by the Cabinet.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said several names were mentioned as possibilities to replace the retiring chairman (Dr. F. J. Llewellyn), “hut you cannot always be sure that the gentlemen mentioned would be available.” He said the position would be fully advertised. There was no intention to alter the conditions of employment to make the position a full-time one, or to increase the present salary of £l5OO. Asked if legislation were contemplated to alter the constitution of the corporation, or to vary its duties, he said this had been under consideration for some time. The operation of the corporation inevitably brought up the question as to whether

some aspects could be improved. Inevitably there had been some suggestion that the membership of the corporation should be broadened from three to five. There had also been discussion on a second television channel run by a private composite body outside the corporation. “We have no determination on this,” Mr Holyoake said, “but it is probable that the Broadcasting Act will be amended in some way—and probably in the coming session.” He said he had not been approached by any outside body or group on this matter. It was possible there might be a composite body outside the corporation charged with running an alternate channel. The powers of the corporation to consider applications for new stations might be one of the matters reconsidered.