BROADCASTING CONTROL

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 February 1935, Page 11

BROADCASTING CONTROL

PERSONNEL OF BOARD POWERS UNDER NEW ACT NO ADVERTISEMENTS ALLOWED

WELLINGTON, Feb. 26

Enlargement of the personnel of the New Zealand Broadcasting Board from three members to seven and the redefinition of its functions are the main features of the Broadcasting Amendment Bill, The provision in the Act prescribing the chairman’s period of office as five years is not altered. Of the other members three will be appointed for a period not exceeding four years and three for a period not exceeding three years. Thereafter the terms of members other than the chairman shall not exceed four years. The salary of the chairman is retained at £650 a year and the other six members will be paid £250 a year compared with i>3so now paid. Board members other than the chairman, of tlie advisory council have been abolished.

In addition to the powers given under the Act, tlie Bill- provides that the board shall have the duty of controlling all programmes to be transmitted from the broadcasting stations. Upon receiving a report by' the board that any licensee has failed to comply with any direction or requirement of tlio board the Minister may in 'his discretion, cancel the license. No advertisement intended for the pecuniary benefit of any person shall be transmitted from any broadcasting station, whether operated by the board or any other person. No licenses for broadcasting stations not operated by the board shall bo issued if the effect of such issue would he to increase the number of licenses in force at any one time beyond the number in force when the Bill be6omes law on April 1. B STATIONS.

The Bill was introduced in the House to-day. Several members sought information, especially as regards the restrictions on B stations.

The Rev. Clyde Carr (Lab., Timnru) raised the matter of advertising and urged that those restrictions should be withdrawn. He also urged that controversial matter should! be allowed. Air H. AtiTiore (Ind., Nelson) also praised the B stations and charged the newspapers with, not giving both sides of the questions of public interest. Ho said that could be achieved by utilising the radio stations. Air J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) praised the service given by the national stations, but said there was room for improvement. He thought performers should be paid adequately for their services. He said that in the past the national stations had “sponged” on local performers. He considered the B class stations should he given greater consideration. He also sought information regarding the cultural board and asked if controversial matters were to be submitted to it.

Air R. Semple (Lab., Wellington East) said much of the matter put over by the YA stations was “pure unadulterated tripe,” He said he doubted if the best talent was allowed to perform over the air. 'Only cheap stuff was put over. He expressed the fear that if they were not careful broadcasting would become a. class privilege. Air Richards said he believed the Broadcasting Board was to be reorganised and lie urged that a- member representing the listeners should be included on the board. Air P. Eraser (Lab., Wellington Central) suggested' the proceedings of Parliament should be broadcast from its own station. People outside were just as entitled to hear what was happening in the House as those in the galleries, of the House. TRIBUTE TO BOARD.

Mr IV. Nash (Lab., Kutt) opposed advertising over the air. He alleged that newspapers coloured news according to the advertising received. Wireless stations would probably colour their services according to the advertising received. Ho paid tribute to the management of the Broadcasting Board, which lie thought was genuinely endeavouring to find subjects of interest to the people generally. Mr A. Harris (Co., Waitemata) urged that the hours of broadcasting of B .stations should be unlimited. He said these stations wore anxious to give a much broader service than they were allowed to do to-day. He had no doubt it was done deliberately to drive them off tlie air if possible. The Hon. J. Bitchener said the purpose of the Bill was to co-ordinate all broadcasting in the Dominion, B stations and all. The membership of the board would be increased from three to seven appointed by the Governor-General-in-Council. He had; been approached by a listeners’ club on the subject of a listeners’ representative on the board, and be said lie was willing to hear its representations at any time. The board would have the right to decide what was controversial. Mr Richards: Is there any right of appeal from that decision? Mr Bitchener said he <lid‘ not think there was any provision in that direction. The aim of the measure was to provide the best possible services for the people of the Dominion. The Bill was introduced and read a first time.