RADIO CONTROL

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12886, 12 June 1936, Page 7

RADIO CONTROL

UPPER HOUSE DEBATE . LEADER'S ADMISSION PRESS NOT UNFAIR 9 .... MEMBERS SUPPORT BILL DIVIDEND OVER AIR SUGGESTED 'Press Association). WELLINGTON, Jane 11. In the Legislative Council the Hon 11. F'agart moved the second reading of the Broadcasting Bill. He said that although the Broadcasting Board would be abolished, the same people Who Lad carried on the work in the past would continue to carry out the work in the future. The Government already 'advertised in the newspapers and on hoardings!, and there was no reason why it should ot advertise over the am. Dealing with the use of radio as a Government service, Mr Fagan said that if the necessity arose, the Government unhesitatingly would use the air. However, for every minute used by the Government speakers, a similar amount of time would he available to the opponents of the Government to put their case, over the air. He would not- say that the press of New Zealand had been unfair. | Tk Government had had nil the | space it should 'have had, and had Lem treated fairly. The Hon. R. Masters said) he was ! not so much concerned with the possible use of the radio by the Government for political propaganda as with the effect of its policy on listeners. He was not going to say that the powers taken under the Bill would be used in a dictatorial manner, nor would he prejudice toe Government on that point. The Broadcasting Board had given a very efficient service and developed the main stations out of revenue solely fr<jra license fee.s He condemned the. proposal to advertise, over the air. He thought that those countries which lrad advertising would turn it. down Hat if they had the opportunity. Other members generally supported the measure. The Hon. J. Connelly said the press had a. straugle-hold on the minds of the people, and the newspapers had had a pretty good time iof many years, for that reason the bill cwoukl be for the benefit of the public. The' Hon. E. R. Davis, urged that , dividends should be allowed to be ' put over the air. S,The Hon. T. Bloodwortli expressed the opinion that the radio would never supplant the newspapers. He said that the circulation, of the newspapers' hiad increased during the rise of radio to popularity. The Bill passed its third reading.