RADIO CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22433, 1 June 1936, Page 11

RADIO CONTROL

LEGISLATION PENDING

BILL BEFORE RECESS

POLICY NOT YET DISCLOSED

[BY TKLEURAFH —SPECIAL REPORTER]

WELLINGTON, Sunday

A definite announcement that n Broadcasting Bill giving effect to the Governnienls's policy would be introduced in the House of Representatives and passed before the mid-winter recess was made yesterday by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, at the conclusion of a Cabinet meeting. Mr. Savage said he was unable to give any indication at the moment of the policy to be disclosed in the bill, but the fact that the Government has decided to bring the measure down at a time when it is dealing only with urgent matters suggests that the question is being treated as one of considerable importance. Previous statements of policy by members of the Cabinet have not thrown much light on the subject of broadcasting. The Prime Minister and others have frequently promised more generous consideration for B stations than has been allowed in the past, and Mr. Savage has also announced his determination to extend the present system of Parliamentary broadcasting and also to use the wireless as an additional means for placing the Government's programme before the people. The whole trend of Government policy appears to make it certain that the bill to be introduced shortly will provide for more direct State control of the Dominion's broadcasting service. Entertainment over the air is almost certain to be put on the same plane as finance, mortgages, railways and road transport. The Minister and the department will probably take over most of the powers at present held by the Broadcasting Board or »t least will have the right to lay down a policy for the board to put into operation.