BRITISH WIRELESS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 122, 27 May 1925, Page 5

BRITISH WIRELESS

CRITICISED BILL WITHDRAWN,

{UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION—COPSRICHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received 27th May, 0 a.m.)

LONDON, 23th May. The Cabinet has withdrawn the Wireless Bill, and has decided to institute a lull inquiry into broadcasting.

The Wireless Bill has been subjected to little but hostile criticism by the English wireless periodicals, one of which described it as "one of the cleverest examples of oppressive legislation that has ever been drafted." In particular there has been great indignation against a, clause which permits a properly authorised officer to enter premises, on a search warrant, and seize apparatus which is being illegally used. This clause was really neither new nor vicious. One of the most important provisions was that which enabled new regulations to be made by a special process; that, is, the regulations must lie on tho tablo of the Houso for 21 days, and automatically become law if no petition against them is presented within that time This, it lias been held, gives the PostmasterGeneral autocratic powers which can only bo opposed hy the difficult process of maintaining unremitting watch in' tho House o£ Commons,