“Nationwide” needed rather more time

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33565, 20 June 1974, Page 4

“Nationwide” needed rather more time

The Government’s national superannuation scheme is a subject of much interest to everyone, and “Nationwide” was justified in devoting all of its 23 minutes to the topic on Tuesday evening. But the material it put forward strengthened a growing belief that this major current affairs programme would be improved if its present three-nights-a-week schedule was converted into two of 45 minutes.

“Nationwide” had the Minister of Finance (Mr Rowling) in one corner and his regular adversary, Mr Muldoon, in the other. There was a panel of people in the studio, some of whom took part. Mr Rowling is particularly personable, Mr Muldoon especially convincing, and David Beatson conducted affairs with a cheerful competence. But there was

simply not enough time to do much' more than scratch the surface as points were raised. Television has the advantage of quick impact, but i; does lack depth if there is insufficient time allowed for a topic of particular importance. Something in excess of 20 minutes is probably plenty to read what one wants to know about the project, but when ideas are tossed about among speakers,

it often leaves an unsatisfactory lack of completeness. But perhaps the N.Z.B.C. is right in its judgment. It may be asking too much of modem man to require him to devote his attention to one television topic for 45 minutes, unless it is fiction. The bleak and wintry weather of Tuesday gave “M*A*S*H” added point, with its story about the longjohns. As outrageously flippant as ever, it again scored with its excellent use of language, when the occasion allowed. “Callan” was the better for Anthony Valentine as Toby Meres — as cold and calculating as Callan himself. But Coral Atkins, Sheila of “A Family at War” -did not seem quite right for the spy role she played.

With Callan still behind a desk, the story lacked some of the usual “Callan” excitement, although it offered an insight into the business side of the spy business. And Lonely as a “mobile communications facility” i.e„ a taxi-driver, may well be a useful, fixture in this popular programme.