RADIO POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22754, 14 June 1937, Page 10

RADIO POLICY

GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE RIGHTS OF B STATIONS HON. P. FRASER REPLIES ELECTION PROMISE STANDS A denial that the Government was departing in any way from its election pledges with regard to broadcasting was made by the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, in reply to* a deputation from the B Stations Protection Committee which waited on hi in in Auckland on Saturday evening. The deputation placed before the Minister the resolutions carried at the meeting in the Town Hall on Thursday night, voiced its protest against the restrictions imposed on further broadcasts dealing with the controversy and recommended a general policy as a basis for the maintenance of private 13 stations in the broadcasting system. The policy suggestions put forward by the committee involved the adoption of a general principle of adequate allocations, with protection to all B stations. It was also proposed that a council should be formed, representing listeners' interests, to control the allocation of funds from listeners' fees, and to make recommendations as to the number of B station licences and on the total allocations and gen- | oral standard of efficiency. "Progressive Element" A further suggestion was that no | more purchases of B stations should be I completed until a general policy was j finalised. The council, when constituted, would normally negotiate with any station desiring to sell. The views of the deputation were put forward bv Professor W. Anderson, who said it was desired that an organisation should be set up enabling the B stations to be retained in their present form and to perform their present individual services. They had always been the progressive element in New Zealand broadcasting and a free development of ideals and a full exI pression of thought could only be obj tained through stations of that kind. Mr. Fraser: The National stations, j whatever their shortcomings may be, I will measure up more than favourably i in that respect with any B station on | the air. I Professor Anderson raised the ques- ; tion of the ban imposed on B stations j in the broadcasting of views regarding the present situation. This action, he said, meant that those interested were unable to give free expression to their opinions. Fear of Monopoly "We want to guarantee freedom of expression,"-said Mr. Fraser. "but we do not want to create a monopoly for a few people in,a few favoured posi- ! tions. We do not propose to allow the j air to be used by monopolists who are j trying to create a ramp for a certain | class of station." | Mr. Fraser was asked whether the ; Government's present line of action I would be confined to radio or whether j it would be extended to the newsI papers. "What can you do with the news- | papers?" the Minister replied. "I have I never had any cause for complaint re- ' carding treatment in the newspapers, i I realise that the papers have only a | certain amount of space available and : as long as I am fairly reported I do not worry." A. E. Ixobinson said the organised listeners objected to absolute State control. Mr. Fraser: The State happens to be the organised people and they are more important than the organised listeners. "A Dangerous Weapon" The Row W. W. Averill said it was felt that under the present system a weapon was being forged which would be too dangerous to place in the hands of any Government. "Has it proved that in Britain or other countries?" asked Mr. Fraser. "T do not think so. I investigated the British system less than two years ago and 1 was satisfied that it was better than what we have here. "Some of these B stations may be popular," the Minister continued, "but I doubt whether it is a lasting popularity. I was a member of a club in Wellington supporting a B station which was closed by the previous Government. We held protest meetings and were very concerned, but after three weeks we had forgotten all about it. " Whether a station is popular or not, that will not affect the Government in carrying out the poliov which it believes to be correct. The Government declared its policy and it has the responsibility for that policy between elections. 1 see that some people in Auckland have been sending cables on the matter to the Prime Minister in London. All I can say to that is that I think the cable company can be congratulated on an accession to its funds." No Compulsion to Sell The point was raised by Mr. W. W. Jiodgers that B stations were beinc forced to sell to the Government. "You were a member of the deputation which waited on the Government in Wellington," said Mr. Fraser to Mr. Uodgers, "and you heard me say that the promise given by the Prime Minister would be adhered to and honoured. I also said that the Government was the custodian of public money and that before B stations could be subsidised it would be necessary to consider the duplication of services in particular districts. " We are not compelling you to sell, but there is a danger of control being acquired by a few wealthy people. Stations may be controlled b\» an association of newspai>ers. just as your station is controlled. " A number of stations havo been sold willingly to the Government, but. Mr. Savage's statement that the B stations will be allowed to livo with a fair subsidy still holds good. They can only jive in two ways—cither by revenue from advertising or by grants. Advertising is no longer feasible and 1 quite admit that there is a strong aesthetic case against it. Accordingly, it is quite obvious that the other method must be considered. Stations Breaking the Law "It is said that there are too many stations in some parts of the country. We arc prepared to pay a fair valuation even for redundant stations, but to those which want to remain, the Prime Minister's promise covers assistance by way of subsidy. "I have said there arc certain stations which are not giving a service which warrants a substantial subsidy. There are also some B stations which are flagrantly breaking the law with regard to advertising. They are using the listeners and others interested to build up a ramp so that they can get an unduly high price, ior their stations. The Government will certainly deal with these matters, but it has not departed from its policy as declared at the last election."