BROADCASTING

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1938, Page 5

BROADCASTING

DEBATE IN HOUSE MR SCRIMCEOUR RESIGNS. (Per Press Association—Copyright). WELLINGTON, August 9.

An- announcement that the Controller of the Commercial Broadcasting Service (Mr C. G. Scrimgeour)' liad tendered his resignation .to the Government was made by the Prime Minister (the Rt." Hon. M. J. Sav.qge) in the House of Representatives! jto : day during the discussion on a broadcast inaue by Mr Scrimgeour on Sunday night, for which purpose the adjournment of the House was moved by, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (National, Hurunui). Mr Forbes contended that Mr Scrimgeour had attacked members of tli'e Opposition, the National Party, and the press in tho broadcast. He violated every tradition of the Public Service, and consequently justified the Opposition’s criticism of his appointment.

Mr Savage ? although not defending Mr Scrimgeour, held that his action was a very human one, as he had been consistently condemned by those whom he had attacked. Mr Scrimgeour’s resignation had not yet been considered by' the, Cabinet ; but he personally hoped Mr Scrimgeour would be persuaded to withdraw it. 1 . - The discussion occupied all the afternoon, Mr Savage refusing a request to allow it to continue in the evening. 1

The Opposition also asked for an investigation by a Royal Commission of the whole administration of the service. ,' - •

Mr Forbes said that there were no personal motives iri\ moving such a motion, but it was considered that Mr Scrimgeour had committed [a breach of privilege. Mr Scrimgeour was a public servant and was supposed to be impartial.

Quoting from a dictaphorte-record-ing of the lectures, Mr .Forbes asked what , the House would think of the phrase, referring to a. person outside, who-was named, “You are/an unmitigated and malicious liar/? There was also a reference to “You and the gang that, employs 'you.’ That, he presumed,, referred to the executive of the National. Party and.meant that the officer concerned had no conception of his proper, duties.

. M/ Savage prduced a letter' which, he. sajd, contained the resignation of the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting but which had not..been accepted. Whether it was accepted or, not- was a matter of the Government.: He; Realised that 1 public servants had their hands and tongues tied when they were criticised, . but tlicj time, came,, when there was an individual who would, not allow that to continue, The officer had had to listen to con-, demnafion of his character and everything dear to him. . , “I am not defending what .happened on Sunday night,’’ said the Prime Minister, . ''but I rfrii just saying it was a veryhliumau action.” . h - ? The Commercial Broadcasting., Service was subject to official audit and to the Auditor-General, and there was no reason- to set up a Royal Commission; . '■ ’ Asked by an interjector what he was going to do with the resignation, the Prime Minister declared: “He is not going out if I can help it.” •<During the debate, which lasted the remainder of the afternoon, Mr S. G. Holland (National, Christchurch North) suggested that the real complaint was that the choice of words was repugnant to the Christian principles of the people of New Zealand. Mr C. Carr (Government, Timaru), said the controller had been attacked, and had either to defend himself or be defended. The language he used was, in his opinion, “good old AngloSaxon.” \

Mr H. G. sDickie (National, Patea) stated that if ; the resignation was not accepted discipline would go.

The Hon/D. G. Sullivan (Minister for Industries and Commerce) pointed out that the Prime Minister had not defended the language used. He suggested that there had been provocation for the statement.

The Attorney-General (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) said that Mr Scrimgeour-; had done a great and good work, and it- was regrettable that the tactics.of the Opposition had provoked him, with such -unfortunate results.- -

Tlie Hon. F,. Jones (Minister in charge "of Broadcasting) said that the commercial service had been run on proper lilies, and the Prime .Minister had recently told station managers that political propaganda would not be permitted. Tho Opposition, should make definite charges. .