B STATION RESTRICTIONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 64, 27 February 1935, Page 8

B STATION RESTRICTIONS

Members Seek Information By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 26. When the Broadcasting Amendment Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day, several members sought information, especially as regards restrictions on B stations. The Rev. Clyde Carr (Lab., Timaru) raised the matter of advertising, and urged that those restrictions should be withdrawn. He also urged that controversial matter should be allowed. Mr H. Atmore (Ind., Nelson) also praised B stations, and charged newspapers with not giving both sides of questions of public interest. He said that that could be achieved by utilising radio stations. Mr 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 considered the B stations should be given greater consideration. He also sought information regarding the cultural board, and asked if controversial matters were to be submitted to it. Mr R. Semple (Lab., Wellington East) said that much of the matter pul over by the A 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. Mr P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central) suggested that the proceedings of Parliament should be broadcast from its own station. The people outside were just as entitled to hear what was happening in the House as those in the galleries of the House. Mr W. Nash (Lab., Hutt) opposed advertising over tho air, and said the newspapers coloured the news accord ing to the advertising received. Wireless stations would probably colour their services according to the advertising received. He paid a tribute to the management of the Broadcasting Board, which he thought was genuinely endeavouring to find subjects of interest to the people generally. The Minister, in reply, said that the purpose of the Bill was to co ordinate all broadcasting in the Dominion, B stations and all. Membership of the board would be increased from three to seven, to be appointed by the Go-vernor-General-in-Council. He had been approached by a listeners’ club on the subject of a listeners’ representative on the board, and he said he was willing to hear its representations at any time. The board would have the right to decide whnt wns controversial. Mr A. 8. Richards (Lab., Roskill): Is there any right of appeal from that decision? Mr Bitchener said he did 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. Tho Bill was introduced and read the first time.