BROADCAST BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1936, Page 5

BROADCAST BILL

MEASURE PASSED HOUSE DEBATE CONCLUDED, (Per Press Association —Copyright). WELLINGTON, June 11. In the House yesterday afternoon, the Rt Hon G. W. Forbes said it waf significant there was no expression o: opinion from the Government members He said the taking over of the control of wireless wa» bound to affect progress, and the change would not bring about any greater satisfaction than ill ere Lad been in the past. He considered advertising over the air was a retrograde step, and said that power had been taken to use it as a weapon against newspapers. Mr F. W. Schramm" said "that Mr Forbes had said the hill established tyranny, and lie' asked the House to compare it with some of the measures passed by the previous 1 . Government He said the talk of political control was only bogey. After all, all oncrol nas political. . The Hon F. Jones, in reply, said the opposition to the measure, copTd be summed up under four Beads:—(a) Abolition of the Broadcasting 'Board; (b) Granting of subsidies to B stations; (c) The use of license fees ;and (d) commercial stations. He said tlie Government had spent more than £20,000 on advertising. Why should some of that not he used in advertising over the air?. He claimed Parliamentary broadcasts had assisted to popularise broadcasting, and: he predicted the number of , licenses would show an increase during the present year. _ The second reading was carried l>y 49 votes to 19. VJ 'Vf. v' The House went into committee to consider the bill. . Mr Jones assured the House' that nothing would he put over the air from tKe Government commercial station that was not decent. The station would.be run on business lines. ... The advertising ratio had not yet "been fixed. • • ’ : 1 ; The olosure was moved bv the Premier (Mr and was carried by, 43 votes to 19. ,

The short title was passed by 43 votes to i 6. ■ /

'Replying to further questions, Mr Jones said it was not. intended to appoint a listeners’, representative on the advisory council. , embers of Parliament would he able to represent the listeners very, well. The main work of the council would be to look after the programmes. 1 - ’ yV V

The Rt .Hon M. J, Savage said members of the council would be appointed because of their, knowledge of broadcasting, not because they were organisers of a political party., or because they were listeners. . ?; The Rt Hon J. G. Coates moved an amendment to pr’ovide that the Broadcasting Corporation should consist of a minister and three members elected by the listeners, members, appointed by the Govef’nqr-General. The Hon ,D. G- Sulliyan described the amendment as a political stunt.- He said it was “.unadulterated hhinbug and hypocrisy,” as when v Mr Coates had power to give listeners representation. he refused to do it.

The amendment was lost by 42 votes to 18. - ■ '

- A protest was made by the Opposition against the abolition of the Broadcasting Board, hut the clause was retained by 43 vote s to 18. “ \ Mr Forbes moved ap amendment' to delete the sub-clause giving the Government power to advertise from com-* merciai stations -

Opposition speakers said this was an. attack on newspapers. The amendment was defeated by 48 votes to 18. * : The committee stages were completed and the hill was reported to the House without amendment. The bill was read a third time and passed. ■