BROADCASTING SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27541, 8 November 1950, Page 8

BROADCASTING SERVICE

PARLIAMENT

Spate Of Criticism And Suggestions PA WELLINGTON, Nov. 7. Criticism of the broadcasting service and suggestions for its improvement were voiced during discussion of the broadcasting vote in the House of Representatives today. “ Serials ” were denounced on both sides of the House as having a bad effect on children, while Mr W. Nash (Oppn, Hutt), protested against children’s sessions being interrupted for the purpose of broadcasting race commentaries. The Minister in charge of Broadcasting, Mr Doidge, said that, as over 10,000 serial “episodes ” had been broadcast last year, it was difficut to maintain a high quality in all of them.

Mr R. McKeen (Oppn., Island Bay) «aid that some features broadcast over the commercial stations had been running so long that they should qualify for social security. Between 7 p.m. and 8.15 p.m. on a recent day he heard six serials Expenditure of Dollars Mr H. Johnstone (Govt., Raglan) said that much rubbish heard from the stations cost dollars. He favpured an extension of hours, but not to broadcast rubbish which cost hard currency. There was ample good material available without dollar expenditure. Mr M. Moohan (Oppn., Petone) also complained that some serials from the ZB stations never seemed to end. He thought that ample local talent was - available and should be more freely used in programmes. Mr E. P. Aderman (Govt., New PlyV mouth) said he was surprised that so much time should be taken up by young people listening to serials, and In order to remove that temptation from them when they should be concentrating on their school homework he suggested that radio stations broadcast their serials earlier in the day. Mr W. A. Freer (Oppn., Mt. Albert) said that some school teachers had told him that th*e more backward of their pupils could tell them more about radio serials than the brighter scholars. “That needs looking into,” he said. He thought that radio serials should be more closely screened and that New Zealand writers should be given the opportunity to produce a type which would be more suitable than some of those at present broad.cast. Mr Freer congratulated the department on the progressive steps made in improving radio programmes, but there was still the need for one or more stations to provide a continuous musical programme right through the day. Mr T. H. McCombs (Oppn., -Lyttelton) said he had known the time of a country meeting postponed to enable those who would be attending it to listen to a serial over a car radio. The Minister of Education, Mr Algie: Yes, but what was the counter attraction at the meeting?—-(Laughter.) Mr McCombs said that New Zealanders wanted to listen to serials. There were some which could be rewritten and improved, but the great bulk of them were listened to by the public. “The thing I am astounded at is that the broadcasting service should buy records made by people who cannot sing,’,’ he said. Mr D. C. Kidd (Govt., Waimate) said too many radio programmes featured murders. This was a bad influence on children and such programmes should be curtailed. Reserves Being Used The Minister in Charge of Broadcasting, Mr Doidge, said' it was true that he had when in Opposition advocated a reduction in the licence fee of 255, but he had taken over, the administration at a time when the service was ceasing to make a profit and the development of new services was still making "heavy demands on the/reserves that had been built up. The new type of alternative programme was now available in three cities and would be extended to Dunedin shortly. These programmes were completely free from jazz, but there were other programmes still catering for those who appreciated modem music. Mr Doidge said steps had recently been taken to offset the deficit which had occurred in the broadcasting service during the past year. Advertising rates on the air and in the New Zealand Listener had been ■ raised. Many new developments were- under consideration, and planning was required so that television could be provided within a reasonable time. The Minister said the broadcasting service was now costing more than £1,000,000 a-year. Listeners paid only ■bout three farthings a day, and for that they received good value. Although revenue was increasing, it did not keep pace with rising costs. Mr McKeen asked, Why was it that certain records broadcast could not be bought at the dealers’ stores? He thought that the Minister of Broadcasting and the Minister of Industries- and Commerce should look into the position concerning the importaton of records to see whether the public could be given the opportunity of purchasing wh'at records it wanted. - Answering questions by Mr F. Jones (Oppn., St. Kilda) as to the planned programme of building and other development for the broadcasting service as a whole, Mr Doidge said the present reserves ■ were £1,500,000 not £2,000,000 as quoted by Mr Jones. This sum would not be frittered away, but would be earmarked for speciflce purposes. Much modern equipment was needed and, above all, better accommodation was required for broadcasting . staffs, especially in Auckland and Wellington. Actual losses for the present year were estimated at £59,000 in spite of some economies that had been made on the National Orchestra and in other ways without harming the service given the public and in spite, also of increased advertising revenue. Everything possible was being done to increase revenue, but costs were still moubting. Penal rates for overtime work were a costly item in running the service. The Government wished the public to have the best possible service and realised that it could not always be assessed in pounds, shillings and pence. Children’s Session Interrnpted

Mr W. Nash (Oppn., Hutt) said that on Saturday race commentaries and results from Riccarton had intruded on the time for the children’s session with the result that children had been asking their mothers about the meaning of dividends. That was harmful. Children’s sessions should be kept inviolate. Mr Doidge promised to have the matter investigated. To members who said that recordings broadcast frqm the studios were often unobtainable in the shops, Mr Doidge said the problem was one of import licensing. The Import Advisory Committee was now looking into it. . , Mr Doidge agreed with members that much criticism of the serials was justified, but he said that 10,567 15minutes episodes were broadcast last year, and it was difficult to maintain ■ high quality in all of them.