BROADCASTING IN N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 250, 21 October 1937, Page 8

BROADCASTING IN N.Z.

DIRECTOR AND CONTROLLER TWO OFFICERS WITH EQUAL STATUS BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT [ Per Press Association. 1 WELLINGTON, Oct. 20. The separation of the commercial broadcasting service from the national broadcasting service is provided for in the Broadcasting Amendment Bill which was introduced in th? House to-day by Governor-General’s message. Coincidental with the establishment of the separate service, the Bill authorises the appointment of a Coat roller of Commercial Broadcasting who, under the direction or the Minister of Broadcasting is to control the commercial service. The controller is to be appointed by the Governor-Gcncral-m-Council and Is not to hold office for more than threu years without reappointment and last year's appointment of Mr C. G. Scrimgeour to this office Is validated. The powers of the Director ot Broadcasting with respect to the national service are to be exercised by the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting in the administration of the commercial service.

Provision is made for various financial transactions to be handled separately by administrative officers of the two services. Power is also given for the establishment of subsidiary accounts connected with the broadcasting account at the Reserve Bank. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. A. Hamilton, said that the proposal to separate the commercial from the national broadcasting service looked as if there might have been a division of forces between the heads of the two respective services. The Postmaster-General, Hon. F. Jones, explained the Bill’s provisions for setting up the two different services and the appointment of the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting and said that the last clause provided for a subsidiary account for commercial broadcasting which would be included within the national broadcasting account. Hon. G. W. Forbes asked would the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting be under the control of the Director of Broadcasting or was it a separate job? Hon. F. Jones: He will be under the control of the Minister. Mr S. G. Smith (Opp., New Plymouth) asked if there had been a battle royal between the two directors. It appeared as if Uncle Scrim had won the first round. Mr Savage: They are two different

3 °Mr W. J. Polson (Opp., 'Stratford) asked if both the controller and director were under the control of the Minister.

Mr Jones: Yes. Mr Polson criticised the Government for taking a junior officer from under the control of his director and giving him equal power. It seemed an extraordinary method of enforcing discipline. He thought the Director of Broadcasting snould control the whole service. It would be in ths Government’s own interest to see thau that was done. ~ Col. J. Hargest (Opp., Awarua) said the Bill would not be got through the House very easily. . Dr. McMillan: Arc you going to 3 said they knew all about the jamming which had put the present Government into office. tie continued that there was some concern about the lavish way in wnic.i the broadcasting service was being controlled, but he was glad the acounts of the two services were being kept separate. The Bill was read a first time.