POLITICS ON THE AIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22809, 19 February 1936, Page 8

POLITICS ON THE AIR

A COMMONSENSE BASIS QUESTIONS OF NATIONAL INTEREST (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 18. " The radio broadcasting of some of the principal activities of Parliament will be put into operation during the coming session," said the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) to-day. "It will be done on a commonsense basis and without unduly interfering with the general broadcasting services, and there is no intention whatever to the formal work of Parliament and all the debates. The political radio service will be confined to statements by the leaders on both sides of the House and to the most important debates on questions of national interest." The Prime Minister explained that the Government had received a detailed report from the departmental technicians as to the installation of a radio broad casting apparatus in Parliament House and the best method of putting politics on the air. This report showed that the proposal was practicable and that there were no technical difficulties in the way. "It is only a question," Mr Savage added, "of fitting in the parliamentary broadcast with the existing radio services as regards station programmes and the time of broadcasting. Such details are being worked out and a commonsense broadcasting service from Parliament will be provided this coming session."