TV decision likely soon

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32667, 24 July 1971, Page 3

TV decision likely soon

(.New. Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 23. The Broadcasting Authority’s report on the second television channel should be to hand “presently,” the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Walker) told Parliament today.

He was answering ; I Opposition questions in ( the second reading debate on the Broadcasting ’ Authority Amendment i Bill. * The bill permits broadcast- ‘ ing licence holders to broad- * cast network programmes, prescribes conditions for the ( running of such networks, 1 and provides for the author-,1 ity to make surveys ,to as- ' certain what services are * needed in any area. I A hope that there would;* be a second television channel in colour was expressed I by Mr D. A. Highet (Nat., J Remuera). Emphasising that he was < giving a personal view, he I said that now the E.E.C. situ- • ation had been clarified, he hoped this could be done, t Anv decision would have to <

await the outcome of the Broadcasting Authority’s inquiry. Mr F. M. Colman (Lab., Petone) asked when the Government was going to make an announcement about a second television channel, who would run it, and whether it would be in colour. The Postmaster-General (Mr McCready) said Mr Highet had already explained that the authority would be making this decision soon. It was not a matter for the Government to decide. . \ - Mr McCready said one of the roles of the authority had been to keep the N.Z.B.C. on its toes, and to ensure that the Corporation tried to improve its already high standards. “I think it will be agreed that in some respects it has done this,” he said.