Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1936 CONTROL OF BROADCASTING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 2 July 1936, Page 6

Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1936 CONTROL OF BROADCASTING

THE New Zealand Broadcasting Board, which, despite much criticism, had'rendered valuable service after it assumed control from a privatelyowned organisation, has ceased to exist. Under recent legislation, broadcasting in New Zealand is now under the complete control of the Government. There was some speculation regarding the selection of a Minister of Broadcasting. Guesses have been set at rest by the announcement yesterday that the new portfolio had been entrusted to the Prime Minister. Mr Savage lias indicated that a great deal has to be done yet regarding the details of the Government’s broadcasting policy, but we know that a director to control the service will be appointed, and power has been taken to appoint an advisory board, although this is not mandatory Details will be announced in due time “as the system develops under the new form of control.” That the Government is I'eally rot fully prepared to take over control is quite apparent. This is another instance of hasty legislation in a rushdesire to fulfil pre-election promises This excessive haste was also demonstrated in the important industrial legislation introduced by the Government. These statutes were found to contain many conflicting provisions and numerous late-hour amendments had to be made. It' is very doubtful whether all these conflicts have yet been removed. There has been a suggestion that the Government has taken over the control of broadcasting because the Press had not treated the Labour Party fairly. That suggestion,

however, did not emanate from the Prime Minister. He has placed it on record that he had no complaint to make against the newspapers in regard to the space devoted to his Party either during or after the election. He said he thought there would be something wrong with him and his policy if he got full support from the newspapers. He expected editorial criticism but desired fair reports, and did not hint that he had not received them. And the Labour Leader of the Legislative Council (the Hon. M. Fagan) declared during the debate on the Broadcasting Bill which is now in operation, that “he would not say the Press of New Zealand had been unfair. The Government had had all the space it should have had and had been treated fairly.” So it is evident that the Press cannot be blamed for the change in the control of broadcasting.

It is a coincidence that the announcement of the appointment of the Rt. Hon. Mr Savage as Minister of Broadcasting in New Zealand should nave appeared at the same time as the publication of a memorandum by the British Postmaster-General indicating that Government’s proposals in connection with the recent report of the British Broadcasting Committee which enquired into the subject of control and related matters It is significant that the British Government decided that the 8.8. C. charter be extended for ten years from the end of 1936 significant because of our Government’s action in wiping out of existence the N.Z.8.8., whose policy had been to a very great extent based on that of the 8.8. C. which, like that of our own now dead' Board, had not been under direct Ministerial control. There was supreme Ministerial authority in Britain, but it was not exercised as it is now to be in this country. The 8.8. C. has been regarded as having set a fine example to the world. New Zealand’s Government apparently does not think so. The British Board’s license fees are to remain at 10s—much less than in New Zealand—and the initial assignment to the Corporation is to remain at 75 per cent,, subject to an increase if the Treasury is satisfied that the income of the 8.8. C. is insufficient to support services. It is provided that the Corporation shall refrain in publications as well as in broadcasts from expressing opinions by way of-editorial comment on current affairs; that sponsored programmes and advertisements be excluded; that all steps be taken to prevent broadcast advertising programmes intended for Britain; (New Zealand is to have advertising from Government controlled commercial stations); that an Empire broadcasting service be expressly authorised; that the Post Office undertake research regarding distribution by wire; that technical investigation of interference with reception be completed as soon as possible. The investigating committee and the British Government have taken a much broader view of the position than the New Zealand Government has done. Here the desire apparently was to assist the Government’s strength and power to control everything it was possible for the Government to control—just as it has done in other directions. With the appointment of a well-equipped Director of Broadcasting under the new law, we fully agree, but we think the Government would have been well advised had it decided to follow the good general example of the 8.8. C., whose policy has just been endorsed by a well-qualified committee of investigation, and supported by the British Government in its major features.