FOOTBALL BROADCASTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 100, 30 April 1931, Page 7

FOOTBALL BROADCASTS

DISCRETIONARY POWER

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY TEAM'S TOUR

The I>r<tiidc.nsting ol: descriptions of football matches lias become a very live topic with iiugby unions of recent years. As expected this very debatable, subject, although not on the order paper, was raised towards the close of Ihc annual meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Kugby Union yesterday. From the remarks of the different speakers, it was plain that tlicro arc .siill differences of opinion among the RiH'ljy legislators ns to the- effects, harmful or beneficial, of allowing Hie Broadcasting Company tv broadcast descriptions of matches. There appeared to bo many more than was the case at last year'a annual meeting who were iiiclim'd to look upon wholesale broiiuw-stiug in v rather unfavourable light, the interest taken by the public in the activities of the British team in preference., to local club matches undoubtedly being responsible to a largo extent for this change of front. The view was taken that the New Zealand Union's jurisdiction in the matter of broadcasting was limited to matches played under its control, and that local unions were free to decide upon the attitude they should adopt regarding the broadcasting of descriptions of their own particular matches. The outcome of a not very lengthy discussion gave the N.Z.B.U. Management Committee discretionary power as to the broadcasting of matches to t>e played by the Australian team on its New Zealand tour towards the end of the season. The consensus of opinon was that a broadcast description should be permitted of at least the only Test match of the , tour, to be played at Auckland on 12th September. Mr. Crowley (North Otago) said that to set the ball rolling he would move that the broadcasting of descriptions of all. matches be disallowed. Mr, H. Harris (Otago) raised the question whether' the resolution could bo accepted. The Chairman (Mr. S. S. Dean): "I don't think so." FOT YET CONVINCED. Mr. Harris said that most of the unions had discussed the question of broadcasting this year. The Management Committee of the Otago Union had practically decided not to allow broadcast descriptions to be given of club matches in Dunedin,. but he I nought it would permit broadcast descriptions to be- given of represSntativc games. At the same time the matter was a burning question. He noticed that Canterbury ha<l "tried to1 raise/tlio wind" the other day. Personally he was not altogether against broadcasting; he was not yet convinced that broadcasting was not to some extent the interests of football. While unions might lose .a certain amount of revenue as a result of. broadcasting he was not prepared to admit that unions did not derive some benefit that might compensate unions for tho little revenue they might Jose. He was sure that some people through hearing descriptions over the air became interested in the- game. Last season the position had been accentuated' as a result of the British team's tour. While he did not. support broadcasting being cut out altogether he was in favour of somo modification of the broadcasting of matches. "A 'STERLING' ADDRESS." Mr. J. ■ Prendeville (Wellington), smilingly asked to .be allowed to recall to delegates the impassioned address delivered a':: the annual meeting last year, in which consideration was sought for- the/poor caretaker on Kapiti island, the shepherds on the Southlem Alps, etc, A voice: "That was a 'Sterling' address." (.Laughter.) Mr. G. H. Pownall (Wangamii) moved as a recom'meiidation to the Maiir ngement Committee that the broadcasting of matches under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Kugby.' Union should not be continued. Air. Dean said that tho only jurisdiction the New Zealand Union had in the- matter of broadcasting was over its own matches. Mr. Lamb (Wairarapa) said lie thought the matter was one for the unions in tho four main centres to decide. The country unions were absolutely at the mercy of the city unions. ANOTHER TRIAL. Mr. Harris said ho considered that broadcasting should be tried out again this year during the tour of the Australian team. Only one Test match was to be played by .the visitors, and that would be at Auckland. ' There were others besides people in Auckland and surrounding districts who would ' be interested in the match, and why should not people in other parts of the Dominion have an opportunity of hearing a broadcast description of the game, He suggested that certain of the matches should be broadcast. The Chairman: "The New Zealand Union could use its discretion." One delegate raised the question of whether even in the event'of the NewZealand Union, deciding not to permit broadcasting the Broadcasting Company would be stopped if it chose to take steps to give a description over tho air. .Racing results were still broadcast. A Maiiawheiuia ■ delegate said his union considered that tho only match that should bo broadcast was the Test match against the Australian team. Finally it was decided that tho matter of broadcasting of matches under the control of the New Zealand Union be left in the hands of the- Management Committee.