SUNDAY’S BROADCAST FROM 2ZB

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 269, 10 August 1938, Page 12

SUNDAY’S BROADCAST FROM 2ZB

Statements By Controller Of Commercial Service Criticised

OPPOSITION INITIATES DISCUSSION Mr. Scrimgeour’s Resignation Announced By Prime Minister Sunday night’s broadcast from 2ZB "by the Controller of the Commercial Broadcasting Service, Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour, was discussed in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, lhe Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) sought leave on behalf of the Opposition to move the adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a matter of “urgent public importance, the ; misuse and abuse of the national broadcasting service. lhemotion was accepted by Mr. Speaker, Hon. W. E. Barnard, and the debate continued until the tea adjournment at 5.30 p.m. Mr. Forbes said that public servants should be strictly impartial. The Opposition regarded the attack on the National Party by Mr. Scrimgeour as a breach of the privileges and duties of a public servant. The attack was quite unwarranted, and it seemed to be the general view that not only the matter but the language used was very unseemly for a responsible officer. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, who followed Mr. Forbes, announced that the resignation of Mr. Scrimgeour had been received last Thursday by the Acting-Minister of Broadcasting, Hon. F. Jones. It had not yet been accepted. Mr. Savage said he did not want politics broadcast over the air and that he had told the commercial station directors so in a recent conference. If the controller of a station ran amuck it was to be deplored, but one could understand his feelings. Everything possible was being done to keep the broadcasting service as free as possible from personalities and politics.