REPLY TO CHRISTCHURCH CRITICS

Evening Star, Issue 21718, 12 May 1934, Page 4

REPLY TO CHRISTCHURCH CRITICS

Disagreement with the four resolutions relative to the control and administration of radio in New Zealand passed at a meeting of .Christchurch listeners on March 28 last, is voiced by the Postmaster-Con era! (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) m his reply (states the ‘ Star ’)•

The meeting sought permission for the inclusion in programmes of thirty words of advertising every half-hour; the control ol broadcasting by a listeners’ board; the broadcasting of political and controversial matter; and the reduction of the license fee to 15s.

In his reply, Mr Hamilton said that the resolution had received most careful consideration. “ The Government has decided that the broadcasting service must not be used lor the purpose of advertising or commercial publicity,” he said. “ This decision is the result of dose consideration of the systems m vogue m other countries, where broadcasting has been so employed. ” The conclusion has been reached that such a practice has had a definite tendency towards lowering the general standard of broadcasting, and that the use of radio for advertising purposes is not in the best interests of listeners.

" It is therefore deemed undesirable that any facilities in that direction should be provided in the broadcasting service of this country. ” The present method of control of broadcasting is considered to be the most advantageous irom the point o) view of the listeners,” said Mr Hamilton. ” it is not thought that there would be sufficient unanimity on the part of radio listeners to enable a board to be elected which would be likely to function satisfactorily in the interests of broadcasting.” it bad to be pointed out that there was much difference of opinion among listeners regarding the most appropriate matter that should be broadcast, and a board elected as proposed would bo likely to represent points o* view which would be too diverse to enable the service to be conducted as a national unity, he continued. The primary function of radio broad casting had been deemed to be of an entertainment and educative character; and to that end the Government had endeavoured to prevent the service from being utilised as a medium for the dissemination of propaganda or controversial matter. Jb was not agreed that there was any true parallel between the service of broadcasting and the dissemination of nens by way of newspapers. The use of radio Jor political and controversial subjects would, it was thought, tend to depreciate the value and popularity of broadcasting, and at the same time would be likely to provide prolific grounds for complaint on the part of listeners.

The programme of the New Zealand Broadcasting Board had been framed upon the anticipation ot radio receiving licenses being maintained at the rate of £1 10s per annum. The board had large commitments, and to make any reduction in the annual fee for receiving licenses would have the effect of greatly embarrassing it in carrying out a programme of works which was designed to benefit the whole body of the listeners.

Mr Hamilton’s reply to the resolution will be considered at a meeting of the associated radio interests of Canterbury, which were responsible lor calling the recent meeting of listeners. A further statement will he forwarded to the Minister.