BROADCAST DEBATES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 26, 30 July 1938, Page 8

BROADCAST DEBATES

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I have no desire to enter into a newspaper controversy iin connection with politics, but the object of this letter is to protest strongly against the action of a considerable number of Labour M.P.s who make so much noise that it is difficult for anyone listening to a broadcast to hear the remarks of any speaker opposed to Labour.

Last Wednesday night was a case in point. I happened to turn on the radio at 7.30 p.m. to listen in to the House and found that a Labour member was holding the floor. When he spoke there was absolute silence, there was no coughing or shuffling of feet. He appeared to have some very jocular remarks to make about various members of the Opposition, these remarks receiving great support from his colleagues. There was really no sound political or constructive argument put forward, nevertheless, .pne had no difficulty in hearing all that was said. The next speaker was the member for Egmont, who immediately commenced to give some really sound political arguments, but there was such a shuffling of feet and continual mumbling and some coughing which kept on the whole time Mr. Wilkinson was speaking that it was only with great difficulty that one could follow the speaker. One would like to feel that the interruptions were not intentional, for otherwise the action would indicate what may happen under dictatorship, when only one side of any question is allowed to be explained to the people. Many people have mentioned similar occurrences, but it was so pronounced on Wednesday night that I feel it only fair to write this letter of protest.—l am, etc., LISTENER.