RADIO CRITICISED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22860, 15 October 1937, Page 12

RADIO CRITICISED

COMMERCIAL STATIONS \ 11 ' ll " - UNCENSORED PROGRAMMES " NIGHTMARES " FOR CHILDREN Criticism of programmes sponsored by business interests and broadcast by the commercial radio stations was voiced yesterday at a meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The unsuitability of certain features for children and the lack of censorship were also deplored. No official protest was made, it being decided to leave the subject to authorities more vitally concerned in the matter. "It has been noticeable in recent months, especially during the children's sessions, that blood-curdling stories, not fit for any child on the point of retiring, have been broadcast," said Mr. Gainor Jackson. "Such stories must frequently result in nightmares, and they should be stopped. Generally there is not sufficient censorship of the programmes, and some corrective influence should be exercised on the firms responsible for sponsoring such items." Mr. A. Ely said he was strongly opposed to any protest going forward from the chamber, which, he maintained, was not a suitable body to enter into such a controversy. "The views expressed, however, should be forwarded to the educational authorities, the Council of Christian Congregations, or some other more suitable organisation," added Mr. Ely. "If it is a matter of nightmares, do we not get the Parliamentary speeches from the national radio stations. - ' asked Mr. G. J. Browne. The chairman, Mr. W. R. Fee, also held that there were other interests better able to tackle the question than the chamber. "We do not want to get a reputation for coming into everything, although, at the same time, we must remain a live organisation," said Mr. Fee. Discussion then lapsed. .

SOCIAL JUSTICE

PETITION TO MINISTER LOSS OF FACILITIES PRESENT POSITION DEPLORED The intention of the Crusade for Social Justice to present a petition to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, as Minister in Charge of Broadcasting, requesting broadcasting privileges over the national stations was mentioned by tho president, Dr. E. B. Gunson, when addressing a luncheon meeting of the crusade yesterGunson said he wished to express appreciation of the broadcast facilities which had been so -freely afforded to the crusade by various B stations, many of which were no longer available. "We deplore the loss of these facilities and in the hope of compensating our listeners we are about to present to the Minister in Charge of Broadcasting a petition requesting that facilities be granted to the crusade over the national stations," he said. "This petitions bears the signatures of the heads of practically all the Churches, of numerous important bodies concerned in social welfare, and of more than 2000 members of the crusade. "We count this to be a matter of national importance and I sincerely, trust that it will meet with favourable consideration at the hands of the Minister, for I can assure you that there is no intention on the part of crusade speakers to depart from those recognised canons of fair comment, which must always govern the right of free speech," Dr. Gunson added.