POLITICS BY RADIO

Evening Star, Issue 22277, 2 March 1936, Page 14

POLITICS BY RADIO

NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST EXPERIMENT [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 1. A novel feature in the House of Representatives when the new Parliament meets on March 25 will be an additional table in an unobtrusive position, taking up but little of the already cramped space. Seated at this table will be two " strangers," one a broadcasting commentator or announcer at a super-sensitive " mike," and the other a radio technician ready at a signal to open one of four microphones for the greater enlightenment of the unseen people, and to switch off three others so that practically none of the " too much loud conversation " will go forth to the city and town, hamlet and hut. The innovation will represent New Zealand's first attempt at broadcasting politics by radio. Although the authorities are keen on "the experiment, it is difficult to find much general enthusiasm, about it. There is a prediction of a short life for the novelty' unless the new' Parliament brings forth a higher percentage of inspired debaters than has been known for many years. It is admitted, however, that it may be entertaining to observers in the House and perhaps to ambushed listeners all over the country and in ships at sea to hear the commentator announce in a stage whisper: "The Hon. R. Semple is about to expound the Running Shoes or the Abolition of Boards Bill. The Minister will be followed by the Leader of the Opposition, who will explain the radio jamming of the Friendly road." As indicated, there will be four " hanging microphones," one for each section or grouping of the House. It had been suggested that either individual microphones or only one large central " collector " should bfl used —this latter may te adopted for ; the opening of Parliament—but after giving consideration to the obvious disadvantages of both, the technicians, it is said, have decided to install four instruments, each suspended from the ceiling of the House at points covering the grouped benches of members. This arranger ment is expected to give adequate efficiency in broadcasting the principal speeches without allowing too much interruption or incidental comment and conversation to escape into the outer air and into the ears of unsophisticated listeners. It is recognised, of course, that some of the " real atmosphere " of parliamentary debates must be broadcast, too, for without it a political speech might be considered by listeners as being insipid entertainment indeed. A good "row" in the House probably would provei as popular as the description of an all-in wrestling match. Another feature of the new House likely to command attention will be the array of Government members reminiscent of the old Seddonian days when the Liberals laughed. The Labour Party's 55 representatives will occupy almost. three-fourths of the available seating accommodation. An a matter of fact two Independents, Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs} arid Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont), will be seated together on a bench in the hack row of the Opposition benches to the left of the Sneaker. Two other Independents, Mr H. M. Rushworth (Bay of Islands) and Mr H. Almore (Nelson), will have an end seat each in the back row of the centre benches, but separated by the aisle leading to and from the main entrance to .the House. Most of the benches of two rows of the block to the right of the Speaker will be occupied by Ministers. According to present arrangements the front benches'will be the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) and the Deputy-Leader (Mr Fraser). who will sit together, the Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) and the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Sullivan), the. Minister of Labour (Mr Armstrong)., and the Minister of Interna] Affairs (Mr Parry), the Minister of Public Works (Mr Semple), and the Attorney-General (Mr Mason). Four other Ministers will be seated in the second row of the benches, the bench mates being the Minister of Mines (Mr Webb) and the Postmaster-Gene-ral (Mr Jones), behind Messrs Nash and Sullivan, and the Minister of Lands 'Mr Langstone) and the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Lee Martin) behind Messrs Semple and Mason. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Mr J. A. Lee) and the Government Whip (Mr E. J. Howard, Christchurch South) will sit together behind Messrs Armstrong and Parry, and Mr W. J. Jordan (Manukau), who is to be the next High Commissioner in London, and Mr R. M'Keen (Wellington South) will be together behind Messrs Savage and Fraser. The new Parliament will be the twenty-fifth in New Zealand's history, hut the silver jubilee will be numerical only. Although it is known already that many people have expressed their intention of attending the opening of Parliament on Wednesday, March 25, it should he noted that the procedure will be extremely formal, and entirely without spectacular features. Parliament will be opened by a commission of Legislative Councillors who. having been already sworn in, can take an active part in the parliamentary business. Ts is, of course, an offence for other members to take part until they have been sworn in, nence the need of devoting the first day to the swearing in of'members by the clerk.of the House, Mr T. T). H. Hall, who administers the oath, and the subsequent election by the House of a Speaker, who. on this occasion, will he Mr W. K Barnard, Labour MP. for Napier. The real dav. as far ps attractiveness is concerned, ■mill he Thursday, March 96. when the Governor-General (Lord Galway) will deliver the Speech from the Throne in the Legislative Council Chamber.