BROADCAST OF SPEECH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 223, 21 August 1931, Page 6

BROADCAST OF SPEECH.

STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. In a statement in the House of Representatives to-day, the PostmasterGeneral, Hon. J. B. Donald, said that the leader of the Labour Part}-, Mr H. hi* Holland, and Rev. C. Carr had recently asked questions concerning the broadcasting from 4YA, Dunedin, of a Epeech bv Mr Cameron, past president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. The matter had actually been taken up with the general manager of the Broadcasting Company before anv public comment had been made, and it was clear that a good deal of the subject was controversial and constituted an infringement of the regulations. The Postmaster-General added: ‘‘ln reply to the department’s enquiries the general manager stated that the station director at Dunedin considered that all reasonable precautions bad been taken with a view to ensuring that nothing of a controversial or political nature should be introduced. An assurance was received from the secretary of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce to this effect and an undertaking was given that the speech would be confined to Imperial and economic questions. It would appear that the position was not made clear to the speaker prior to the broadcast. “In a further communication to the general manager of the Broadcasting Company the department took up the view that the explanation tendered was not very convincing and that the address should have been properly supervised and the broadcast interrupted immediately the controversial matter was commenced. The general manager was also informed that failure to do this had evoked unanswerable criticism and that it was imperative that adequate safeguards should - be adopted to prevent a recurrence. “The action taken should preclude the possibility of a similar happening,” concluded the Minister. SYSTEM OF CONTROL. REQUESTS TO MINISTER. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. A deputation from 2YA’s Wellington musical and dramatic advisory committee waited upon the PostmasterGeneral to urge the Government to discountenance any alteration in the svstem of control and management under which the broadcasting service has been successfully established in New Zealand. Mr E. Palliser, chairman of the committee, explained that the advisory organisation was distinct but was functioning in connection with the broadcast station of 2YA, Wellington. The committee represented most of the musical and dramatic organisations in Wellington. The broadcasting service was a public utility for the general benefit of the community and not for the radio trade. It was brought in touch with a considerable number of listeners, who appreciated to the fullest degree the present service. The failure of the extensive and energetic campaign of the Radio Listeners’ League to enrol more than a small number of licensees was evidence that there was not widespread dissatisfaction with the existing service. In the committee’s opinion, the Government should not embark on further business undertakings. The Minister remarked that the recent proposals by the Broadcasting Company would not give listeners any say in the control as the chairman’s casting vote might operate against them.

A member of the deputation asked the Minister whether the company would ignore the rights and recommendations of the minority. Mr Donald replied that that was how it appeared to him. He was impressed with the suggestion by a member of the deputation that legislation should be enacted to impose a penalty on anyone through electrical leakages from power lines, machinery or appliances causing interference with broadcast listening. The Minister said that he would embody the suggestion in the legislation.