MR SPEAKER’S VIEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23315, 26 September 1945, Page 4

MR SPEAKER’S VIEWS

Parliamentary Broadcasts (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 25. The opinion that the broadcasting of Parliament was being overdone was expressed by the Speaker 6f the House of Representatives (the Hon. F. W. Schramm) in a talk to the Wellington Rotary Club entitled “Parliament from the Speaker’s Chair.” Mr Schramm said he was strongly of the opinion that broadcasting should only be used for particular debates, ard that a good deal of formal matters, Local Bills and committee proceedings should be eliminated. Mr Savage, before radio was introduced into the House, had said his intention was only to broadcast important debates. Mr Schramm said he believed in broadcasting—it was here to stay. If the broadcasting of Parliament was confined to matters he had suggested, he thought Parliament would be better appreciated and understood, “The microphone picks up sounds in the chamber which even Mr Speaker cannot hear,” he continued. “Private conversation between members causes a buzz on the air and people do not get a true picture of Parliament as we hear it direct. The Australian

Federal Parliament is considering the irftroduction of radio broadcasting, and the chairman of the Australian Boardcasting Commission has discussed the matter with me. I gave him my opinion as I have given it to-day, because I wish to see broadcasting taken up in other parliaments in such a way as to enhance the prestige of Parliament so that the people will listen in to its proceedings and appreciate its value to the nation.” Mr Schramm paid a high tribute to the work of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, stating that his opinion was that members gave full and accurate reports of everything worth while. He could also say without qualification, using the words of Mr Churchill, that members of the Press Gallery had never betrayed a confidence or let Parliament down in any way whatever.