N.Z. BROADCASTING

Grey River Argus, 31 July 1940, Page 5

N.Z. BROADCASTING

DEBATE IN HOUSE Cut in Fees Urged OPPOSITION CRITICS. THE PROPOSAL DEFEATED I [Per Press Association! PARLIAMENT BLDGS., July 30. | The last item on the main Esti-j mates still to be dealt with namely: the Broadcasting Account of £3l3,abb, was before the House to-night. r Hamilton referred to the cost of pub-, lication of the radio journal, inei Listener,” which he said, had br ° in revenue totalling £18,096, and the, expenditure thereon had votaiiea, £30,437. j The Minister-in-Charge of Broad-1 casting, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. „ is. just about paying its way now . ! Mr Hamilton: “According <-° figures, it made a loss of about twe \ thousand.” Mr Hamilton drew attention to] the fact that there is a total ot] 345,000 people who pay radio licenses, in the Dominion, whereas only forty thousand, he said, bought “The Listener.” What did the remainder of

the people do for their programmes? Mr Fraser: “Probably they borrow C °Mr S Hamilton suggested that the Government might find it a better] proposition if it gave the copyngh to publish the programmes to some private company, or individual. He a’so drew attention to the fact that the National Broadcasting organisation had lent money to the commercial broadcasting service. It also had, a capital account of over seven hun-l dred thousand pounds. Would the I Minister, in view of this, consider a reduction in the license fees? In regard to “The Listener,” some of the expenditure was for the purchase oil the “Radio Record,” and a certain amount for the distribution of free copies. The circulation a short time ago was thirty thousand and this had now risen to forty thousand. Broadcasting had become one of the most important institutions in the world, and surely, he said, referring to finance, the Government was justified in putting aside a certain amount for improving, and extending the services.

Mr J. A. Lee (Grey Lynn) suggested that more encouragement should be given to New Zealand artists. The Government should provide musical scholarships out of the broadcasting funds.

Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Nat., Riccarton) thought that listeners should be given a reduction of five shillings a year in license fees. He said he regretted there were not more 8.8. C. broadWELLINGTON, July 30. Mr F. W. Doidge (Nat., Tauranga.congratulated the Prime Minister on; the change in Station 2ZB talks on, Sundays. No longer, he said, did; they get all class hatred, and they• were very grateful. But, Mr Doidge , asked, why was a monopoly given to. the gentlemen who always gave the 1 addresses on Sunday nights? Why were other speakers not given a chance? He also referred to the fact that while there was a censorship exercised in the House, Ministers could go out every night on the air. The Minister of Supply, non. D. G. Sullivan referring to the suggestion that Ministers had a monopoly of the air, said that he hoped the Government would not surrender its right, in this way, to tell the people of the country what they should know. Mr W. J'. Broadfoot (Nat., Waitomo), said he thought that the proper place for making a statement, when Parliament was in session, was in the House itself. The Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, said that as far as the war effort was concerned, the Government would give every encouragement to all classes in the community to broadcast.

Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Nat., Riccarton) moved an amendment that the total broadcasting vote be reduced by ten pounds as an indication that the license fees be reduced. Rt. Hon. P. Eraser immediately moved the closure on the debate, and the amendment was put to the House without further discussion.

The amendment was defeated by 37 votes to 17.

The vote was then passed. On the motion for the adjournment, the Prime Minister stated that, judging from present appearances, the House would adjourn to-morrow evening. There were only the two small bills brought dow’n to-night to be considered and the Supplementary Estimates. Mr W. A. Bodkin (Nat., Central Otago): How long will we adjourn for?

Mr Fraser: It has been suggested that we should adjourn for three weeks from to-morrow, with an undertaking, of course, that, if any serious situation arises in the meantime, we be called together immediately. The Flouse rose at 11.15 p.m. until 2.30 'p.m. to-morrow. SESSION’S ADJOURNMENT. TO BE TAKEN THIS WEEK. WELLINGTON, July 29. The conclusion of the first part of the present session of Parliament is likely to be reached thi s week, and the House of Representatives may adjourn on Thursday or Friday for probably a fortnight. It is unlikely that the remnants of the Government’s legislative programme will bo crammed into the present week, and instead a Finance Bill No. 2 and twu washing-up bills will probably held over until the Flouse resumes after the first adjournment. Business definitely set down for this week includes consideration of the Supplementary Estimates, which are expected to appear to-day, the Broadcasting Account 'the only item oj the main Estimates not yet passed), the war pension s legislation introduced last Friday, and a Rural Housing Bill containing minor amendments to the existing legislation. In addition it is probab’e that an Insurance Companies Bill will be introduced this week.

A stateinent on future arrangements for the session is expected to foe made in th e House to-morrow afternoon by the Prime Minister.

Mr Justice Johnston adjourned the proceedings to permit counsel to submit a plan for the division of the settlements agreed upon among the widows and children.

According to the settlements announced, the dependants of William Brown, who claimed £3500, are granted £2230; the dependants ot James Clark, who claimed £2750; are granted £1778: while £1925 is granted to the dependants of Raymond Turley, who claimed £3OOO. It was explained by Mr Tompkins that the settlements were based upon the earnings of the victims and the financial loss suffered by their dependants.