MINISTER OF BROADCASTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1936, Page 11

MINISTER OF BROADCASTING

MR SAVAGE APPOINTED. [pee press association.] WELLINGTON, June 30. The new’ portfolio of Broadcasting will be taken over to-morrow, by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage). This information was given by Mr 'Savage to-night, after a Cabinet meeting.

A great dealzhad to be done yet as regards the details of the Govern.ment’s broadcasting policy, he said, and a statement on the question could not be made just at the moment. The Government was going right •ahead with its policy, and the details would be announced in due time as the system developed. Under the new form of control, the broadcasting service comes under the direct control of the State as from to-morrow. CUSTOMS DUTIES WELLINGTON, June 30. Replying to representations made to him regarding a possible alteration of the duties at present payable on radio sets and parts thereof, the Minister of Customs, Hon. W. Nash, said that it is not the intention of the Government to make any immediate alterations in the duties payable on such goods. The question as to the alterations, if any, which should be make in such duties will receive consideration when the general question as to the amendment of the tariff schedules is under review. In the meantime, any representations respecting the retention of the existing duties will receive the careful consideration of the Government. HOMELAND’S POLICY. NO ADVERTISEMENTS ALLOWED. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, June 29. The Postmaster-General issued a memorandum stating the Governments proposals on the main recommendations of the recent report of the Broadcasting Committee, which was debated in Parliament on April 29. The recommendations that are accepted include the following: The 8.8. C. charter to be extended for 10 years from December 31, 1936. That the number of governors be increased from five to seven. That the salary of the chairman be £3,000, and other governors £l,OOO annually. That broadcast receiving licenses fee remain at 10/< That the initial assignment to the Corporation of the net licence revenue be 75 per cent, subject, to increase if the Treasury should hereafter be satisfied the income of the 8.8. C. is insufficient to support their services. That the share of the receiving license revenue retained by the Exchequer for 1936 be £1,050,000, exclusive of the income tax, payable by the 8.8. C. d . That the Corporation should refrainin their publications as well as in broadcast programmes from expressing opinions by way of editorial comment on current affairs. That sponsored programmes and direct advertisements be excluded.

That all steps be taken to prevent broadcasting advertisement programmes intended for this country. That an Empire broadcasting service be expressly authorised. That the system of licensing relay exchanges, subject to certain provisos, be extended for three years, the Post Office meantime to undertake research regarding distributing programmes by wire. That the technical investigation of interference with broadcast reception be completed as soon as possible, and if necessary further powers be sought.