Compensatory TV for P.M.?

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33063, 2 November 1972, Page 1

Compensatory TV for P.M.?

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 1.

Some form of compensatory telecast should be given to the Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) in light of the unusual atmospheric conditions which interrupted the delivery of his opening election address on nation-wide television on Monday night, the chairman of the N.Z.B.C. (Major-General W. S. McKinnon) said today.

"Normally, this off-air link works satisfactorily, but on Monday night atmospheric conditions in the Manawatu area corrupted this link so severely that viewers in the Wairarapa and Wellington, and in the whole of the South Island virtually lost the picture,” said General McKinnon.

"I have asked the DirectorGeneral to examine this.” General McKinnon said that both the National and Labour parties were advised well in advance of the election campaign that they should deliver their opening addresses at or close to a main television transmission centre. Otherwise, he said, there would be a significant risk of a failure in the television network.

"Since my return from the north, I have studied a report on the unfortunate breakdown during the Prime Minister’s address from Whangarei. I am convinced that, in fairness not only to the corporation, but also to the thousands of viewers in the areas affected, I should make it plain that the N.Z.B.C. took every precaution to ensure a satisfactory transmission, but unfavourable atmospheric conditions could not be overcome.

“On May 18, I presided at a meeting with National and Labour Party representatives’

and N.Z.B.C. executives to discuss radio and television arrangements for the election campaign,” said General McKinnon. “In the course of the discussions, both parties were strongly advised that any address delivered over the television network from a place distant from the main transmission centres of Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, greatly increased the risk of breakdown. This advice was subsequently repeated. “When the National Party announced Whangarei as the location of the Prime Minister’s opening address, it became obvious that the N.Z.B.C. would have to devote its available resources to ensuring a strong originating link to Auckland. Otherwise, we would have risked complete failure in reaching viewers at all. “Had the temporary equipment we were forced to send to Whangarei been available to bolster the Wharite-Kau-Kau link, it would have greatly lessened the chances of a breakdown,” said General McKinnon. “This equipment was in place for Mr Kirk’s address from Palmerston North, but its use proved unnecessary.

“The microwave equipment to fill this gap permanently is on its way, and should be installed next year.”