B STATIONS CONTROL

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 June 1937, Page 7

B STATIONS CONTROL

MINISTER’S PLAIN WARNING

CENSORSHIP OF PROGRAMMES (Per Ministerial Favour.) DUNEDIN, June 8. The Acting Minister- of Broadcast- , ing, Hon. F. Jones, issues the following statement: — That broadcasting is truly a “comI munity service,” is evidenced by the j fact that in New Zealand alone, there are nearly a quarter of a million radio receiving licenses in operation, and I feel that one would be safe in expressing the opinion that during some time of the day or night, not less than-three-quarters of a million of the popu-; lation listen to a part or the whole of a programme transmitted from one of our own stations, or from abroad. I With so many people affected by broadcasting, it is not difficult to con-; elude that there are thousands who consider they could manage this service better than it is being conducted to-day, and who so far as their personal likes are concerned, know how. programmes could be improved. Seeing that it would be impossible to get | unanimity of opinion oh these two. points alone, and having regard to fact that the cost of the service falls ' on the public generally, it is the opinion of the Government that its man-| agement should be in the hands of the people’s representatives in different parts of the Dominion. Efforts are being made to stir up agitation over B class stations, and from some of the statements that are being made, it is obvious that an endeavour is being made to create a wrong impression in the minds of the people. At the outset, I wish it to be definitely known that in the negotiations that are at present proceeding, if any 1 owner of a B station is not prepared 1 to sell out to the Government, no com- 1 pulsion will be exercised, and he will be permitted to continue to operate it as heretofore. '

Aftei’ the present Government took office, and had had an opportunity of considering broadcasting in all its intricate and varying phases, it decided that radio advertising should be under its control. This decision was reached as a result of investigations disclosing what was occurring in other countries, where advertising over the air was in the hands of powerful syndicates and companies which reaped the profits. It was thought that whatever revenue was forthcoming from this source in the Dominion should be retained by the State for the benefit of listeners. There will be few people who do not agree with this decision.

As the action of the Government in this matter prevented the inclusion of advertising matter in programmes transmitted from B stations, it was considered to be only fair to afford the owners an opportunity of selling their stations to the Government if they were willing so to do. It is interesting to recall at this stage that no exception was taken by them when an announcement to this effect was made. The first action that was taken to this end was the appointment of two capable valuers to visit each station and prepare a valuation and again no exception was taken by the owners to this procedure. After the whole of the valuations were received and considered, an offer to purchase was made to all owners. Some of them agreed to accept the price offered, while some owners attended a conference convened in Wellington, before committing themselves. Most of those who attended that conference subsequently interviewed me, and I was informed that there was a unanimous desire on the part of B owners to sell, but that some were not prepared to accept the price offered by the Government. Although I would like to point out that in almost every instance the amount offered was in excess of the valuation, an extension of time in which to consider further the matter was asked for and granted, and furthermore an assurance was given that the Government would be agreeable to negotiate for the purpose of arriving at a price that could be considered reasonable, and that would be mutually acceptable. Moreover, a definite promise was given that in the event of a settlement not being reached by negotiation, I would arrange for the cases to be

SUBMITTED TO ARBITRATION. It is submitted that nothing could be fairer than that. Already arrangements have been completed for the purchase of eight stations and negotiations are still in progress in respect of a number of others. When finality is reached in the present proceedings, the Government will then consider and decide the question of subsidies. It is appreciated that some of the B stations that are being purchased are established in I localities which are remote from main centres, and where the reception provided by existing national stations is not first class. In such cases it is intended to continue the operation of the local station until such time as a better service can be provided. A point that cannot be over emphasised is that had it not been for’ the action of the Government in coming to their rescue, practically all of ’the B stations in the Dominion would have been forced to close down. This will be apparent when 1 point out that every B station owner was faced with a legitimate demand for payment of copyright, and for the right to broadcast gramophone records. Of the 21 B stations in New Zealand only four owners have advised the Government that they are not prepared to sell, so it will be seen that with these exceptions practically every station owner is willing to sell provided he can get his own price. Ever since the holding of the conference of B station owners, to which I have already alluded, several of them have gone out of their way to allow statements to be broadcast from their stations alleging that the Government has not carried out its promise. I am inclined to think that in some instances this is being done for the purpose of endeavouring to

SQUEEZE MORE MONEY

out of the Government for their particular stations. Others again have been allowing both direct and indirect advertising matter to be transmitted from their stations and for this there are substantial grounds for believing that they have been receiving payment. It was only comparatively recently, however, that it was brought to my

knowledge that advertising was being indulged in by some B stations. Now every licensee of a broadcasting station is fully aware of the provisions of the Broadcasting Act passed last, session, and it is obvious that, those who are permitting the transmission of advertising matter are intentionally violating the law. Perhaps it would be as well to quote the Act on the subject. Section 14 specifically lays it down that no programme i or part of a programme intended to serve as an advertisement for the pecuniary benefit of any person, shall be transmitted from any broadcasting station whether operated by the Minister or by any other, person. The section goes on to say that the Minister may from time to time establish and operate commercial broadcasting stations from which programmes that include advertising matter, may be * transmitted.

A continuance of what has been taking place will not be longer permitted by the Government, and im--1 mediate action will be taken to strict- .' ly enforce the provisions of the Broad--casting Act in regard to the transmission of advertising matter. I In view also of the utter disregard |of certain other provisions of the law that has been shown —and is still being [ displayed by some station owners —it is proposed to carry out the terms of Section 15 of the Broadcasting Act of last year. This gives the Minister power to supervise all programmes to be transmitted from private broadcasting stations, and authorise him to prohibit either absolutely, or subject to such conditions as he'thinks fit, the transmission from any broadcasting station of ahy programme or part of a programme which in his opinion is unsuitable for broadcasting. This particular section also provides for the cancellation of the license of any station which fails tQ comply with any prohibition or condition that may be imposed with respect to its programme or for the taking of any other action considered necessary for the purpose of ensuring compliance with any such prohibition or condition.

In conclusion I wish it to be distinctly understood that I am not unmindful of the fact that the attitude of the great majority of the B station owners has been fair and reasonable, and this is appreciated, but there are some who are endeavouring to harass the Government in order to achieve their own ends, and they are being actively assisted by individuals and organisations which I am inclined to think are so acting, not so much in the interests of listeners as a .whole —as for reasons of theirs.

MINISTER AND MEETING

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, June 7.

By requesting the promoters of a meeting at which the future of B radio stations will be discussed to submit to him particulars of the proposed speeches before he will sanction a broadcast of the meeting from station IZM, the Acting-Minister for Broadcasting (Hon. F. Jones) has invoked for the first time regulation 15 of the Broadcasting Act, 1936, which gives him power to supervise the programmes of B stations. The meeting has been called by the B Stations Protection Committee, a body representing the New Zealand Association-of Radio Listeners, and the United Listeners’ Club, and will take place at the Town Hall on Thursday night. It is proposed to ask those, present to pass a resolution calling on the Government to carry out its pledges concerning B stations - in their entirety. Last week the committee wrote to Mr. Jones asking permission to broadcast the meeting from IZM, and a representative also saw Mr. Jones on the matter in Wellington. The Minister told the committee’s representative that before granting permission, he wished to have particulars of the speeches to be given, pointing out that that was provided for under regulation 15 of the Broadcasting Act, 1936, which gave him power to supervise the programmes of E stations. On being informed of the Minister’s reply, the committee dispatched a letter to him last night, saying that it was impossible to give actual details of the addresses which would be given by several of the speakers, but stating that an endeavour would be made to provide him with the gist of the speeches. The Minister was also informed that the meeting was to be strictly non-political, and that vested interests were in no way concerned. Mr. R. W. Mander, secretary of the United Listeners’ Club, and Mr. Hamper White, secretary of the New Zealand Association of Radio Listeners, who are acting as joint secretaries of the B Stations Protection Committee, said the meeting was being arranged by listeners in the interests of listeners. Their purpose was definitely non-political, and was not to he regarded as an attack on the Government. Their only concern was to keep B stations on the air. Mr. White also said that whether or. not permission to broadcast was obtained, the meeting would definitely be held.