THE BROADCASTING SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21431, 4 September 1931, Page 10

THE BROADCASTING SERVICE

NEW LEGISLATION OUTLINED BOARD OF FOUR MEMBERS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 3. The Broadcasting Bill provides that the board of four members, all of whom are to be appointed by the Government, will be known as the New Zealand Broadcasting Board and will become a.corporate body. The first chairman shall be appointed for five years, subsequent appointments tfi be for three years. Of the other members one shall hold office not exceeding four years, one for three years, and the remaining member for two years. All members thereafter shall he appointed to hold office for three years. Members may become eligible for reappointment. Contracts made by the board must be made either under the board’s seal or over the signature of two members, but verbal contracts may be made under the usual conditions involving amounts unto £2O. Members may be removed from office by the Governor-General-in-Council for disability, insolvency, neglect of duty, or misconduct, or for having benefited financially as members of other companies from contracts made by the board. 1 übhcation in the Gazette shall be sufficient notice of dismissal. Deputy-members may be appointed in cases where required. The chairman will receive £SOO a year and the other three members will each receive £250 a year. All will receive travelling allowances, all payments to be made from the revenue of'the board. The board is empowered to meet when it considers a meeting is necessary, though when meetings cannot be arranged, the telegraphed or written word of all members will suffice. The board will appoint a staff necessary to conduct the National Broadcasting Service, and also may appoint advisory committees, including district committees, to facilitate the conduct of the service. Officers and servants ot the board will not in any way become public servants. ~ .. . The functions of the board, which is to take over its office on January 1 next, are described as being to carry on and improve the ‘ broadcasting service within New Zealand, to obtain licenses under the Post and Telegraph Act, 1928, for the operation of broadcasting stations, to enter into agreements with the iost-master-general for the payment of portion of the wireless telegraphic fees to the board. The board is also empowered to carry out any subsidiary business which, in the opinion of the Postmaster-general, is ancillary to the conduct of the broadcast service. The existing stations and plant will be taken over at a price to be fixed by the Postmaster-general. The board will not be permitted to deal in wireless apparatus, and it shall bo bound not to enter into agreements with any out the New Zealand Government. Although the board is not allowed to borrow without the consent of the iost-master-general, it may secure advances from the Government to enable it to overcome the preliminary expenses until its revenue is established. An annual report is to be presented to Parliament, and the Postmaster-general is given authority to approve of the manner in which th board’s surplus funds are invested.