The Bill In The Committee Stages

Northern Advocate, 11 June 1936, Page 8

The Bill In The Committee Stages

No Amendments To Broadcasting Measure

[Per Press Association. — Copyright.'] WELLINGTON, This Day. jQ|ESPITE a long session in committee last evening, the Opposition could not get one amendment made to the Broadcasting Bill, and the measure was reported hack to the House of Representatives, when the third reading was carried at an early hour this morning. Speaking on’the short title, the Hon. A. Hamilton (Opposition—Wallace) said that most of the B stations bought out by the last Government were poor, insignificant stations, except two.

“Unadulterated Humbug.” Mr Coates moved an amendment to clause three, providing that the Broadcasting Corporation should consist of the Minister and three members elected by the listeners and two members appointed by the Governor-General. The Hon. D. G. Sullivan described the amendment as a political stunt. The listeners would not be deceived by tactics of that kind. It was unadulterated humbug and miserable hypocrisy, as when Mr Coates had the power to give the , listeners representation he refused to do it.

The amendment was lost by 43 votes to 18.

Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Government— Waitomo) asked what stations were “to be subsidised. There were 21 of them and the House was entitled to that information. He asked what kind of information was to be permitted and what the rates were to be. Mr R. A, Wright (Independent— Wellington Suburbs) sought information as to what was to be broadcast in the way of political matter. The Prime Minister had said that Government speakers would say something that would help the country along, and Mr Wright asked what he meant by that. ,

Opposition . members protested against the abolition of the board, but the clause was retained by 43 votes to 18.

Mr Poison moved an amendment to the next clause to provide that the Minister should act only after consulting the advisory council, but the amendment was lost by 43 votes to 17. The clause was challenged, but was retained by 43 votes to 18.

Mr Broadfoot moved an amendment to clause five, dealing with the appointment of the director of broadcasting, and deleting the provision that the director shall holid office during the pleasure of the Governor-General-in-Council. He said that as the clause read at present, the director could be dismissed at a moment’s notice, and he wondered what sort of man would accept office under such conditions. The amendment was lost on the voices. Appointment of Officers. A division was called for on clause six, dealing with the appointment of officers other than directors, blit the clause was retained by 43 votes to 18. A further amendment that the advisory council should consist of the Minister and three members elected by listeners, and two others appointed! by the Governor-General was lost by 47 votes to 18.

Mr Savage: “I can tell you in a minute. Nothing is reported from this side of the House, because we want legislation to go through, but it is reasonable to think that something is being done to support our legislation, but that seldom appears in the newspapers.” No Political Control Wanted. Mr W. P. Endean (Opposition—Parnell) said that no one would say a board would not produce a better programme than the Minister and the advisory council. The principle covering the Judiciary was that it should be free from political control, and the same principle should apply to broadcasting.

The Rev. Clyde Carr (Government— Timaru) asked if some arrangement were not entered into between the newspapers and the broadcasting authorities that the newspapers would not use news picked up by short-wave from Continental and American stations, if the broadcasting authorities did not advertise. He realised there was nothing on the department’s files regarding the arrangement. The Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. Jones, said there would be a Department of Broadcasting under the control of a Minister, who could delegate some of his powers to the Dir-ector-General, who would see that the Government’s policy was carried cut. He assured the House that nothing would be put over the air from the Government commercial station that was not decent. The station would be run on business lines. No Advertising Rates Fixed Yet. No advertising rates had yet been determined, and would not be fixed until the station was established. Mr H. H. S. Kyle (Opposition—Riccarton) said the Broadcasting Board was* being wiped out but an advisory council would be established in its place. He asked what was the difference. Mr R. J. Holyoake (Opposition— Motueka) asked on what basis a B station to be subsidised would be subsidised. Mr Jones said a survey would be made.

Mr Kyle moved an amendment providing that the advisory council should meet as the council itself decided, not as the Minister decided, but the amendment was lost on the voices.

■ An amendment was moved by Mr Porbes to clause twelve, to delete the sub-clause providing that moneys derived from the operation of commercial stations should be paid into the broadcasting account. Mr Poison said that the clause was an attack on the newspapers. The amendment was defeated by 48 votes to 18. Coming to clause 14, Mr Forbes moved an amendment to delete the sub-clause giving the Government $ power to advertise from a commercial station. After some discussion on the lines of earlier remarks, the amendment was defeated by 48 votes to 18 and the clause was retained by the same majority. The committee stages were completed, and the Bill was reported to the House without amendment. It was read a third time and passed.

Mr Savage moved the closure at 8.10 p.m. and this was carried, after a division, by 43 votes to 15. The short title was then passed by 43 votes to 16.