DUTIES OF BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22045, 27 February 1935, Page 13

DUTIES OF BOARD

PROGRAMME CONTROL WIDE POWERS GIVEN NEW STATION LICENCES LIMITATION ON NUMBER [»T TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Tuesday An increase in the personnel of the New Zealand Broadcasting Board from three members to seven and enlargement of its control functions, are the main features of the Broadcasting Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives to-day, and read a first time.

It was made clear by the acting Post-master-General, Hon. J. Bitchener, that the effect of the bill would be to place control of broadcasting in the hands of the board with the exception of the issuing of licences and the allocation of transmitting frequencies. He said such matters as the broadcasting of controversial subjects would be decided by the board. The changes contemplated by the bill will operate from April 1 next. The provision, in the Act of 1931 prescribing the chairman's period of office as five years has not been altered. Of the other members, three shall be appointed for a period not exceeding four years, and thr<;e for a period not exceeding three years. Thereafter, the terms of members, other than the chairman, shall not exceed three years. Advisory Council Abolished

The salary of the chairman is retained at £650 a rear. The other six members will be paid £250 a year, compared with £350, now paid board members other than the chairman. A consequential amendment increases the quorum from two to four. The advisory council has been abolished, Mr. Bitchener explaining that necessity for the council had disappeared by the enlargement of the board. In addition to the powers given it under the 1931 Act, the bill provides that the board shall have the duty of controlling all programmes to be transmitted from broadcasting stations. The board shall have all such powers as may be reasonably necessary for the effeotfive control of such programmes, and m particular, may (1) Require the licensee of any broadcasting station to submit to any authorised officer of the board such particulars as "may be required relating to programmes intended to be transmitted from the station. (2) Prohibit either absolutely or subject to such conditions as the board thinks fit to impose the transmission from any broadcasting station of any programme or any part of a programme. (3) Require the licensee of any broadcasting station to include in or exclude from any programme to be transmitted from the station any matter specified l»y the board. Powers ol Minister

(4) Give to the licensee of any broadcasting station such directions as the board thinks fit in relation to the contents, arrangements and presentation of programmes to be transmitted from the station. (5) Report to the Minister any failure of the licensee of a broadcasting station to comply with any direction or requirements of the board given or made pursuant to thiß section. Upon receiving a report by the board that anv licensee has failed to comply with anv direction or requirement of the board, the Minister may, in his discretion, cancel the licence of t e licensee. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to constitute the owner or licensee of any station an agent of the board or to impose any liability on the board in respect of any expenses incurred by such owner or licensee. No advertisement intended for the pecuniary benefit of any person shall be transmitted from any broadcasting station, whether operated by the board or any other person. No licences for broadcasting stations not operated by the board shall be issued if the effect of such issue would be to increase the number of licences in force at any one time beyond the number in force when the bill becomes law on April 1.

FREEZING WORKS QUOTA

REQUEST FOR INCREASE

LIMITATION TO STAND [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPOETER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday A request for an increase in the quota imposed by the Government on the quantity of stock to be killed by Thomas Borthwic-k end Sons at their Canterbury works was made by Mr. T. D. Burnett (Government, Temuka), in the House of Representatives today, but was refused by the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes. Mr. Burnett asked the Minister of Agriculture if he and the Meat Producers' Board would, in the continued interests of farmer meat producers of Canterbury, maintain a much-desired and legitimate competitive stock market by increasing the quota from 623,000 to 750,000 head at the firm's Belfast works for the present year. The Prime Minister, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, said the Question had been very carefully considered from all points of view before action was taken and it was regretted that the increased quota asked for could not be given. The limitation imposed applied to killings at Borthwick's own works, and it did not prevent the firm from buying stock and having it killed and frozen elsewhere on its account. The other Canterbury companies had just recently reduced their killing and freezing charges. FARMERS AT ASHBURTON SUPPORT FOR MEAT BOARD

[bv telegraph—press association] ASHBURTON, Tuesday A meeting of farmers was held this afternoon to consider the Government restriction on the killings of stock at the Belfast works. A motion was moved expressing the greatest dismay and alarm at the restriction on Borthwick and Sons' works and requesting the immediate removal of the ban. After Mr. H. D. Acland, a member of the Meat Board, had explained the position, an amendment was carried by 39 votes to 23 that the meeting was quite satisfied the Meat Board was doing the best it could for producers.