ROYAL COMMISSION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 110, 5 November 1937, Page 6

ROYAL COMMISSION

AMENDMENT MOVED

The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (National, Kaipara) dealt in some detail with events after -the jamming of IZB. "The Prime Minister himself gives a flat contradiction to what I am saying," he declared. "I am telling the House that what I am saying about the whole affair is correct and can be substantiated. Here is a peculiar thing. Months later one learned that some members of Parliament and Mr. Scrimgeour knew what was happening, Tht

real question is: Did the then Post-master-General know anything about it? Not a thing. Like a man he has accepted the responsibility that was not his. Surely that is not right." It was not good enough to have one's word contradicted right and left, continued Mr. Coates. Every member in the House knew that he had always been an advocate for the retention of the B stations, because he believed that the competition of the private sections was an incentive to the national service. ■ ; "If any word 1 have used concerning: the jamming of IZB has been used carelessly or in contradiction of what I believe to be the facts with the information at my disposal at the time, I will not contest another election," said Mr. Coates. "I am prepared to walk out of Parliament right away and let somebody take my place." Mr. Coates said he thought it was very unfair, after a man had been in Parliament for twenty-five years, that his word should be questioned. His actions might be criticised, but when his word was, doubted it was a different matter. It made one inclined to leave politics completely alone. He moved an amendment as follows: — That this House is of opinion that in view of the fact that the veracity and integrity of public men have been questioned, the Bill should not be proceeded with until a Royal Commission has reported to the House on the following questions:— \ 1. On matters of broadcasting policy affecting the national and commercial stations and the B stations, with full details of the pur T chases of private stations. 2 All matters with regard to the jamming of IZB in November, 1935. 3. All the circumstances leading up to the appointment of the present Controller of Commercial Broadcasting. 4. The business associations, agencies, and financial transactions entered into with respect to the commercial broadcasting stations. The amendment was seconded by Mr. W A. Bodkin (National, Central Otago). Just before 2 a.m. the House divided on the amendment, which was defeated by 40 votes to 15, the voting being on party lines. The second reading was carried almost immediately after by 40 votes to 15, and the House proceeded to the Committee stages. The Postmaster-General indicated that he would reserve his reply until the third reading. CLOSURE MOVED. Just after 3 a.m. the Prime Minister moved the closure, and the short title was passed., . Mr. Hargest moved an amendment to clause 2 designed to place control of all broadcasting under the Director. This was defeated by 39 votes to 13. Mr. Hamilton moved a further amendment to this clause, the purpose of which was to call for applications for the positon of Controller of Commercial Broadcasting before making an appointment i The Opposition forced a division on this amendment, which was defeated by 39 votes to 13. Mr. Bodkin moved to add a clause to the Bill to provide a licensing fee of 20s a year for radio receiving sets. The Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) raised a point of order and claimed that the clause could not be added as the licensing fee was fixed by the Post and Telegraph Act. The Chairman of Committees (Mr. E. J. Howard) ruled that the fee could be fixed by the Bill before the Committee. ■ - Members of the Opposition urged that with the tremendous rate at which revenue was coming in the Government should give bad- to the listeners the £70,000 the reduction would mean. It was a point which both sides of the House could discuss 'on common ground. The motion was defeated by 40 votes to 15, and the Bill passed through Committee unchanged at 4.40 a.m., when the House adjourned.