CANDOUR ON TV COMMENDED

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31530, 18 November 1967, Page 12

CANDOUR ON TV COMMENDED

Documentaries and television programmes presented with candour were commended by the Southern Regional Programme Advisory Committee in Christchurch yesterday, according to the chairman (Mr J. G. Barnes), of Dunedin.

The committee felt that many programmes were of great help to parents who had some diffidence in discussing difficult subjects with their children, he said. They provided an opportunity for family discussion. Asked what topics had been mentioned, Mr Barnes said the committee bad not been specific, but he thought such matters as politics and sex were implied. Mr Barnes was also asked whether the committee thought that more New Zealand - produced programmes of candour should be presented, but he said this had not been discussed. A British-made film on social diseases had been mentioned as being well received overseas, he said. The committee decided to recommend to the corporation that the film be obtained for TV transmission in New Zealand. Mr Barnes said he did not know the name of the film.

tion studios had been pointed out, Mr Barnes said. Canterbury was well ahead with the provision of new studios, and this to some extent would remedy any imbalance. New studio accommodation was expected to be ready in the New Year. If artists in, other centres were suitable for the “Late Show” in Auckland, the N.Z.B.C. would not hesitate to bring them to Auckland, said Mr Barnes. “There was felt to be a need for more of the mature type of musical such as the Oswald Cheesman Show,” he said. The committee also felt that viewers would appreciate advance notice of the subjects to be deat with in Compass and in Country Calendar. Continuation of the play series from the TV workshops on drama were urged by the committee. It was felt that, although they were not perfect. they provided an opportunity for New Zealand writers and actors.

The spreading of talent had been discussed, and a claim had been made -that Auckland seemed to be "hogging” the feature, music-hall type of programme. The lack of suitable produc-

Mr J. P. Ponsonby was welcomed to the Canterbury Education Board yesterday as successor to Mr G. L. Brown in the south No. 2 ward seat