NO RADIO POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1935, Page 4

NO RADIO POLITICS

AGREEMENT BY THE PARTIES. ELECTION CAMPAIGNING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 30. The New Zealand Broadcasting Board has received advice from the Government and Opposition parties to the effect that both parties have decided not to avail themselves of the board’s offer to broadcast political speeches during the forthcoming election campaign. Following advice that the parliamentary parties had decided not to utilise the radio in the election campaign, Mr. J. G. Coates, who opened his campaign at Riverhead last night, interviewed by telephone from Auckland, said he had taken no part in the discussion on the question of broadcasting the party lead<ers’ speeches. He knew it had been discussed thoroughly by the party leaders on both sides of the House and understood that they came to the conclusion that it was best not to broadcast any speeches. He had nothing to do with the decision.

Mr. M. J. Savage, interviewed, said: “The Postmaster-General is the man who should be approached. It is not for me to say anything. However, I believe that the radio should be available, but with so many parties and so many candidates it is difficult to devise a plan which looks better on paper than any other way. I shall leave it to the Minister to make a statement.”