N.Z. BROADCASTING

Grey River Argus, 14 August 1937, Page 10

N.Z. BROADCASTING

PLANS FOR CENTRE, r LPer Press Association]. WELLINGTON, August 13. The fact that plans for the construction of the proposed Broadcasting Centre were In course of preparation was mentioned in an interview by Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. “It is there,” he said, “that the very use will be made of our broadcasting system.” Mr Savage recalled an announcement by the Director of Broadcasting, Professor Shelley, that the broadcasting system of the future would be associated with a Conservatorium of Music. MORE BROADCASTS ARRANGED. WELLINGTON, August 12. Great use of the radio service in broadcasting the activities of Parliament, as well as information of an administrative character, is contemplated by the Government. The opening of Parliament, the presentation of the financial - statement, and several of the more important debates in the House of Representatives, were broadcast last year. “We intend to make greater use of the broadcasting service in broadcasting Parliament,” said the Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) in an interview tonight. “We will certainly do more in future than in the past. There was a gap last session because we had to deal with a lot of matters it would not be easy to follow over the air. I have had a number of communications from people who express themselves as well satisfied with the broadcasts from Parliament, and said they want more. “There is such a thing as misuse of the broadcasting service. We are not going to do that. We are going to use it to provide the facts for the people; not only of legislative, but also of administrative character. We will tell the people what is happening from week to week. We will, for instance, put over the air facts about various State departments, and tell the listeners what they are doing. If we supply the evidence without comment we will have done our duty.” Mr. Savage said no one could charge the Government with unfairness over the arrangements made for speakers in the debates broadcast from the House of Representatives last session.

“Whether two persons or 10 persons are speaking, it is just as well to have the thing properly analysed,” added the Prime Minister. “The thing that counts is not the strength of the parties, but the strength of the argument. We have no intention of taking advantage of the Opposition. The people are entitled to information from time to time without propaganda. We don’t want propaganda. That is not the thing that counts. The thing that counts is unadulterated truth. Let the people know the facts, and leave them to form their own judgment.”