"HUMAN ACTION "

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23112, 10 August 1938, Page 15

"HUMAN ACTION "

ME. SAVAGE'S VIEW MITIGATION PLEADED THE OFFER TO RESIGN RELUCTANCE TO ACCEPT [iJY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday "I am not defending what happened on Sunday night, hut I will just say that it was a very human action," said the Prime Minister and Minister of Broadcasting, Mr. Savage, speaking in the House of Representatives to-day during the discussion on the broadcast last Sunday night by the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting, Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour. Mr. Savage said the Government had tried to keep broadcasting as free from political colour as possible, but it was a very difficult task. "I am not satisfied that we should have politics over the air in any way," the Prime Minister said. "Not so long ago I had the managers of all the stations in my room, following a previous broadcast which caused some discussion, and I told them they could discuss tho Sermon on the Mount or any other principle, but that if they thought they were helping the Government by making certain statements they were doing tho opposite. "We don't want that sort of thing," Mr. Savage added. "We can look after ourselves in a fair fight, although we do not anticipate that it will be a fair fight. I have sat in this House for 20 years listening to hard things that have been said about heads of departments, but their tongues were tied. The time came, however, when we struck an individual who would not take it lying down. More Charity Suggested "I am not defending him, but I am just one human being talking about another human being, and it is a case where we might have more charity toward our brother. Here is a set of circumstances concerning one of my best friends. He is a personal friend of mine." The Prime Minister said the station managers had agreed that the attitude lie suggested was the best one to take up, but when Mr. Scrimgeour came back from his holiday he found that during his absence questions had been asked in the House about his expenses and innuendoes had been cast, typical of the attitude some members of the House seemed to take to all civil servants. Mr. Forbes had asked why tho Minister had not defended the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting, but it was the duty of the critic to attack the Minister rather than the officer. Resignation in Minister's Hands "Mr. Scrimgeour's resignation was in tho hands of the acting-Minister of Broadcasting, tho Hon. F. Jones, before that lecture was given," Mr. Savage continued, "and although I do not defend his action, it was in the circumstances a very human thing to do. Perhaps even the members on the' Opposition benches may sin sometimes.'' It was tho desire of the Government to keep tho broadcasting service as free as possible from polities, tho Prime Minister said, but it was not easy. This applied just as much to tho national broadcasting service as to the commercial broadcasting service. One body had waited on him in Auckland recently to ask why it could not put its case over tho air, but the moment that happened others would have the right of reply. Then there would bo arguments over the air all the time. "I am not apologising for anyone, Mr. Savage said. "J am just referring to the failure of a human bciny; to remain silent under the abuse that he has received from the day of his appointment. He has been charged inside and outside the House —mainly inside because there is no redress." The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Opposition— Kaiparjt) : That is not correct. The suggestion had been made that a Royal Commission should be appointed to investigate the commercial broadcasting service, said Mr. Savage, but surely there was a complete enough check provided by the operation of tho Treasury and tho Auditor-General.

Somo reforence had been made to the confidence of the people in the commercial broadcasting service, Mr. Savage said, but ho would like to see Mr. Forbes and Mr. Scrimgeour on the ballot paper and see who came out on top. He had a very good idea who would be the more popular. "If a controller of a station runs amuck at times that is to be deplored, even if one is able ito understand a man's feelings under the lash," said Mr. Savage. "I know I not do the job of the individual concerned as well as he has done it. I would have kicked over the traces long ago. This gentleman is not able to appear on the public platform, nor is ho able to speak through tho newspapers or over the air—his tongue and hands are tied —and yet the Opposition talks about the unfairness of the attack made." The broadcasting service, added Mr. Savage, was the most difficult department to run from an administrative point of view, because so much depended 011 the people speaking over the air. The Government could not go bail for everyone who got before a microphone. People talked about the freedom of the air, but what would be the state of affairs if everyone was allowed to go on tho air and say what they liked about, anyone else? "Tho resignation of the controller is before the Government, but it has not boon considered yet," said Mr. Savage. "The controller is not going out if I can stop him, but I am afraid I will not be able to." Mr. Poison: What will you do? "There is one thing we will do," said Mr. Savage. "When the election comes we will fight it on big principles, and not on personal grounds. Members of the Opposition can see the resignation of the controller in his own writing. They can talk to him, and any of the station managers, and they will have to come to the conclusion that everything possible that can he done has been done to keep the air free from politics and personalities." DAY IN PARLIAMENT FRESH NOTE SOUNDED MORE FINANCIAL DEBATE LITTLE INTEREST DISPLAYED [by telegraph—SPEClAL reporter! WELLINGTON, Tuesday A fresh note in political argument was sounded when the House of Representatives resumed to-day after tin; week-end recess. In keeping with expectations, the Opposition moved the adjournment of the House in order that there, might be a discussion on tho broadcast speech made through the commercial stations last Sunday night by the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting, Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour. The debate on Mr. Scrimgeour's action in criticising members of the National Party and others through a State-owned service lasted throughout the afternoon, being terminated by the dinner adjournments In the evening the financial debate was resumed. Speeches were given by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, Mr. D. McDougall (Independent —Mataura) and Dr. D. G. McMillan (Government —Dunedin West). There was very little interest in the debate, which was interrupted by the adjournment when the House rose at 10.20 o'clock. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TRIBUTES TO LATE MEMBER [by telegraph PRESS association] WELLINGTON, Tuesday When the Legislative Council met this afternoon tributes were paid to the memory of tho late Hon. H. A. Russell, of Hawke's Bay, whose death occurred last month. Tho Leader of the Council, tho Hon. M. Fagan, referred to Mr. Russell's fanning and sporting activities, his interest in stock breeding and the promotion of agricultural and pastoral affairs and his work for education and local bodies. Other councillors also paid their tribute. Preliminary business of the Council included the first reading of the Surveyors Bill, the New Zealand Council of Law Reporting Bill and the Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill. The Council then adjourned.