Interesting questions raised by “Gallery”

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33141, 3 February 1973, Page 5

Interesting questions raised by “Gallery”

With its “Gallery [Special” on Thursday evening, the N.Z.B.C. went some way towards making amends for its failure to give reactions land spell out implications after the announced reorganisation of this country’s radio and television. Although not a great deal more light was cast on exactely what the change will mean for viewers in the CHTV3 area, the new MinJi ster of Broadcasting, Mr Roger Douglas, did make it clear that he wants to encourage more New Zealand (programmes through more I autonomy for regional controlling bodies. Just how a linking of Christchurch and Auckland, and Wellington and Dunedin will work out in practice does not seem clear at present. Although pressed by Mr Exel, the Minister did not spell out the qualities of his ideal creative directorgenerals heading each of the three corporations.

But taken with his comment on using regional talent to the full, Mr Douglas’s attitude could mean a desire for a much livelier television programme content than we nave at present. He has said that while it is essential that all three I working corporations should I have access to a full news

service, they will have to develop current affairs teams and programmes which will go beyond the raw news and e plore background and meaning. This is all to the good for the viewing public, it should promote understanding and public discussion in an area in which there is certainly a void at present, particularly regionally. The two television channels and the radio corporation would have freedom to evaluate, interpret and illustrate the news and current affairs to a much greater extent.

It was interesting to see Dr Brian Edwards back on TV briefly and his appearance leads to speculation as to whether he will find a niche in the new set-up.

Interesting, too, was the background of the Prime Minister’s attitude towards broadcasting when he said after the election that we have nothing to lose by a lively, controversial N.Z.B.C. structure.

Mr Douglas made it clear that the reorganisation will mean no more staff than if the N.Z.B.C. was given a s.cond channel to run. Mr Walker maintained that it will be a clumsy and costly move.

Thursday evening’s programme merely scratched the surface of the proposed upheaval in broadcasting and television. The Minister was hardly forthcoming in explaining precisely what the changes will mean to the average viewer.

However, the proof of the viewing is in the seeing, and he may well prefer to wait and demonstrate what can be done, rather than promising this or that. He may also have decided to leave future

initiatives to the men selected for the top jobs. It. is to be hoped, though, that more information will be given on the regional concept. After all, the two TV channels will be centred on Auckland and Wellington. Just where Christchurch fits in is not clear, and this important point should be further explained. The “Storefront Lawyers” drama was on a familiar theme with a nice twist. Effective play was made of the effect of long hair, hippiestyle clothes and painted waggons.

It was a clash of extremes with the ordinary decent young student, watching the university riot for his campus newspaper, caught up in a charge of attempting to kill a policeman with a stone.

Some of the Storefront people are just a trifle too steely and clean-cut to. be true, but this is usually an entertaining programme with justice prevailing. There were some good contrast scenes when the student witnesses appeared in “straight" clothes, swam in the motel pool and tried to park in the parking area.

Reg Varney never spoke a truer word when he said the situation was like a No. 13 bus which went round and round and never seemed to get anywhere. “On the Buses” has this quality with a pinch-bottom flavour. Thursday night’s gambol had a few more guffaws thrown in—when our friends trie<J out their welding expertise and when the results became painfully obvious to the motor-cycle and side-car riders. It was all good “clean” fun. —Pandora’s Guest.