COPYRIGHT FEES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22904, 11 June 1936, Page 10

COPYRIGHT FEES

B STATION BROADCASTS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, June 10. Questions arising out of the broadcasting legislation at present before the House of Representatives were discussed to-night by the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) in an interview.

The question of copyright fees for items broadcast by B stations had received considerable attention recently, Mr Savage said. hen the Broadcasting Bill became law all tho» B stations would be subsidised by the Government, which, in consequence, would have some say regarding the payment to outside interests. In the matter of the payment of fees to the Performing Rights Association and firms holding patents, he understood that the Government had undertaken the responsibility for those stations which had received subsidies in the past. Under the Bill, all B stations would be subsidised and outside interests making a claim in regard to broadcasting rights would have to deal direct with the Government. The matter had not been fully investigated ns yet, but it would doubtless be the subject of negotiations in the near future. It could be taken as definite that private B stations would lie placed in a position of equality with those which already received subsidies.

“The Bill makes provision, if necessary, for the appointment of a special Minister of Broadcasting,” Mr Savage said. “So far this question has not been fully discussed by Cabinet, and as yet it is* impossible to say whether a new Minister will be appointed or whether a present member of the Cabinet will lie charged with the responsibility of administering broadcasting matters. Until a decision is made the Post-master-general (Mr F. Jones) will he in charge of broadcasting.”