RADIO BILL

Northern Advocate, 3 November 1931, Page 5

RADIO BILL

SECOND READING GRANTED

ADVISORY COUNCIL PROVISION BOARD OP THREE.

. (Per Press Association.—Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Amendments to the Broadcasting Bill were introduced by the GovernorGeneral’s message in the House of Representatives yesterday, and referred - to the committee on the bill. The Hon. A. Hamilton, PostmasterGeneral, said the principal amendment provided for the setting up of an advisory council to the board. The council would consist • of eight members from various parts of New Zealand. In moving the second reading of the bill, Mr Hamilton said broadcasting was of both national and international importance, and consequently had to be carefully controlled. There were different forms of control in different parts of the world, and it appeared that the general system was passing through the transition stage. Britain was the only country that had adopted State control, but Australia was moving in that direction, and the bill, if passed, would place New Zealand on a similar footing to Britain. Broadcasting was of such a public nature that the State must inevitably take a large share of its Control. The Radio Broadcasting Company’s agreement would expire at the end of this year. The company had hoped for the rehewal, but the Government had decided to exercise its right to purchase the company’s interests. The price to be paid would be agreed upon between the Government and the company if possible, and if that proved impossible it would be submitted to 'arbitration. Dealing with the bill in detail, the Postmaster-General said it proposed to set up a board of, three members, not four, as originally intended. The £1350 previously propostxl as remuneration to the board would be retained, the chairman receiving £650 and the other two members £350 each. The board would have power to es-, tablish advisory committees wherever there was a broadcasting station, and these committees would help with the arrangements of progress.

Listeners’ Behest. The bill also ‘proposed to ' establish an advisory council of eight members, five from the North Island and three from, the South Island. It was considered.by, the Government that some such -system was necessary to enable listeners to have some say in the control of radio. The members of the council would be appointed by the Minister from hominations received from various listeners’- organisations. The council probably would meet only once a year. Mr M. J. Savage (Labour —Auckland West) welcomed the bill. Ho criticised the proposal to appoint advisory committees as well as a board of control. Seeing that under the company two, at the most three persons had been able to manage the system, it was apparent to his mind that the system could be managed by officers of the P. and T. Department without any more appointments being necessary. The P. and T. Department stood out as an'example for sound finance.

It was well that the broadcasting system should be removed from private hands, as its future development was sure to be tremendous, and the danger of serious competition with the existing telegraph system was very great. Mr Savage said he also thought listeners might have been given some say in the control of the system outside the extent of the advisory council. One of the seats on the central board might very well have been given to their representative's.

The retention and use of the existing B stations was also urged by Mr Savage, who said that if the Minister saw fit to use the stations, or at least to give them equitable treatment, he would do so with considerable public support. The member said he looked forward to the day when there would be a radio set in every home, not only for music, which had much to commend it, but also for the educational facilities wireless afforded. A great many capable musicians were out of regular employment, some of them on relief work. It was only a, matter of organisation to use the services of these and other capable entertainers to give listeners first-class programmes.

Mr Donald's Opinion. ■ Mr J. B. Donald, ex-Postmaster-Gen-eral (Auckland East) said he had felt sure that 80 per cent, of the listeners in New Zealand were not .in favour of the present control. There had been a certain amount of opposition to the bill, but this had mostly been the result of propaganda aimed at blocking the measure going through the House. Broadcasting was created by the people and therefore it should belong to the people, and not to a company. The profits made from broadcasting should be returned to the people, either in better service yr in reduced fees. He was confident that there would be a better service before long and a reduction in fees could also be expected. Mr Donald said he had no doubt the board would make arrangements to

carry on some of the B stations, which had rendered valuable service. It was almost impossible to have a board elected, by listeners. Such a board would not be satisfactory, because, in addition, to arranging the programmes to bo presented, the board would have to sec that the system was a payable concern. The advisory council would provide a satisfactory buffer between the board and listeners. Mr McKeen (Labour —Wellington S.) contended that the advisory council would be crude and cumbersome. He alleged that the machines in the Y stations were obsolete, and suggested that, if there were one powerful station with various relay stations, the cost of the radio to listeners would be reduced, as only two-valve sets would then be necessary to pick up any station in the Dominion. Mr Howard (Labour —Christchurch S.) said that the procedure would result in the same programme being received, no matter to what station in New Zealand listeners might tune in. He hoped that the suggestion would not be adopted. Replying, Mr Hamilton said the B stations would be given equitable treatment. Their position would be considered. The bill was read a second time.