POSTAL QUESTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 19 September 1929, Page 13

POSTAL QUESTIONS.

NEW SHIPPING SUBSIDY.

UNFAIR CHARGE SUGGESTED.

COUNTRY TELEPHONE FACILITIES

[BY TELEGIUPIT.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

Speaking in friendly strain, tlio Leader of the Opposition, Mr. ■ Coates, offered a number of suggestions to the Postmaster-General, tho Hon. J. B. Donald, in tho House to-day when tho annual report of tho Post and Telegraph Department was under consideration. Mr. Coates expressed disagreement with the proposal to make the department subsidise the now Bluff-Melbourne steamer sorvice. Ho questioned whether it could bo held that tho subsidy was a legitimate charge against tho department's revenues. It would bo legitimate as far as tho carriage of mail was concerned, sinco the department was always out to acquire fresh business, but tho department should nob be charged with the cost of developing trade and commorce. Mr. Coates said he did not agree that tho post office required £50,000 for reserves and renewals, or that its surpluses should bo used for subsidising the extension of markets, a charge that should properly be borne by the Consolidated Fund. He asked the Minister to consider the position, and with the funds available provide greater telephone concessions to back-block settlers, who wero isolated both as regards communication and roads. Tho Minister could "take a risk" and give greater telephonic facilities to those in the country, an action which would bo hailed as a boon and a blessing. Mr. Coates inquired of tho PostmasterGeneral if he had yet considered the question of linking up with the beam wireless system, whether ho was following a policy giving preference to British makes in the purchase of motor-cars for departmental use, whether he would consider improving tho wireless news broadcast for tho benefit of passengers on steamers, and whether ho would so alter the telephone toll system that payment would not be required unless and until tho inquiring subscriber had connected with the wanted one. Mr. Coates regarded tho last-named suggestion as a service the public was entitled to look for.

As the report was "talked out," the reply of tho Postmaster-General will not be delivered until the paper again comes before the House.

WIRELESS BROADCAST.

OPERATIONS OF COMPANY.

BETTER PROGRAMMES URGED

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

"Is it intended to constitute radio broadcasting a Government monopoly?" asked Mr. C. L. Carr (Labour —Timaru) in tho House . to-day. The Postmaster-General, tho Hon. J. B. Donald, said ho was not. in a position at present to indicate what the Government's policy in reference to tho control of broadcasting would bo when the. term of tho present contract with tho Radio Broadcasting Company expired in two years' time, but an assurance could bo given that the interests of listencysin would bo properly safeguarded. Mr. Carr criticised tho radio broadcast concerts, and asked that an endeavour should bo mado to secure a higher grado of items and a wider range of entertainment. He suggested that the Government should tako over tho broadcasting stations when tho present contract expired. Mr. J. A. Nash (Reform —Palmerston) said he did not agree with the latter proposal, but be considered tho Government should set up a board to control the programmes provided. Mr. Nash defended the quality of tho programmes submitted at tho present time.