Students On N.Z.B.C Committees Urged

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31782, 12 September 1968, Page 26

Students On N.Z.B.C Committees Urged

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 11. Mr J. L. Hunt (Lab., New Lynn) in Parliament today urged the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Adams-Schneider) to appoint two sixth formers each year to the four regional advisory committees of the N.Z.B.C.

He also suggested that twice a week, after the 11 p.m. television news, there be a half-hourly nation-wide programme on Parliament or political affairs. “The Government is respon-

sible for encouraging democracy in this country. Democracy is informed public opinion and it is the Government’s responsibility to supply this,” Mr Hunt said.

The advisory committees were little more than safety valves for the discontent of television viewers and radio listeners in each area, Mr Hunt said.

Consequently the N.Z.B.C. had been able to ignore those people in each area who sought better programmes. Mr G. F. Gair (Nat., North Shore), a former member of the Northern Regional Programme Advisory Committee, said the essential function of each committee was to advise.

“The committees do not expect all their advice to be accepted,” he said. “In the final analysis it is up to the corporation officers to do what they want with the advice, having regard to the cost involved," he said. Mr Adams-Schneider said that the corporation was charged with giving a balance in programmes. The current affairs programme, “Compass” and “Gallery,” frequently covered the broader aspects of politics. Six requests for programmes would now have to be considered by the corporation—the one from the member for New Lynn, and suggestions for a weekly Maori television programme, a bet-ter-organised religious programme, an educational weekly programme, one on manufacturing and one on exporting.