The Times SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1939. Politics and Radio

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 279, 25 November 1939, Page 6

The Times SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1939. Politics and Radio

Commencing with to-morrow evening, the Prime Minister is going to commandeer the whole radio system of the Dominion for the purpose—frankly stated—of talking politics. The action is deeply regrettable and for two important reasons. A desecration of the Sabbath is involved, which, will be gravely resented by a large body of the public and quite properly so. Secondly, no suggestion is made of any opportunity being offered those opposed to any policies of the government by which they might reply to the Prime Minister’s assertions and, wo fear, attacks. The Prime Minister has sought to justify his action on grounds of not receiving fair treatment from the press; a threadbare argument disproved by even superficial scanning of newspaper files, and equally disproved by actual measurement ’ with an inch tape of the space devoted to Ministerial and Departmental announcements. We offer a suggestion that the true reason for Mr. Savage’s going on the air is that he has much confidence in his radio personality, that he feels his voice may carry conviction where the tenor of his arguments and statements might fail to convince when read in cold print. None can object to Government spokesmen using the radio provided certain conditions are observed. Firstly, the normal conventions of gentlemanly behaviour should be observed; attacks upon individuals are to be avoided and the Sabbath to be observed. Appeals to passion and the fostering of ill-will between sections of the people would be wrongful. Secondly, fair play demands that the other side of all matters be heard, that those in opposition be afforded equal opportunity on the air, subject to the same general conditions. The present conduct of the radio savours far too strongly of dictatorship. The radio should not properly be a Government monopoly. It should be owned and managed by a commission elected by and representing the listeners of the nation. Our Meat and Dairy Boards provide a model for such an organisation.