OFF THE AIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 134, 9 June 1933, Page 3

OFF THE AIR.

IZR CLOSED DOWN.

BREACHES OF RULES ALLEGED

ACTION BY MINISTER.

The transmitting license of the B class radio station IZR, owned by Lewis Eady, Ltd., has been suspended by the Hon. Adam Hamilton, PostmasterGeneral, for alleged breaches of the regulations concerning sponsored programmes. As a result the station has closed down indefinitely. The decision of the Minister was conveyed to the proprietors yesterday in the following communication from the Post and Telegraph Department at Auckland: "I am directed by my head office to inform you that in l view of your disregard of the radio regulations and the conditions under which sponsored programmes' may be transmitted, and of the warnings issued from time to time in connection with such failures, the Minister has now decided to suspend the license of IZR. It is therefore required that transmission cease forthwith." Steps were immediately taken by the secretary of the firm, Mr. N. R. Blomfield, to communicate with the acting Prime Minister, Mi*. J. G. Coates, who replied that the representations had been referred to the Postmaster-General, Mr. Hamilton. No reply from the latter being forthcoming last night, the station had no option but to advise listeners that it had to go off the air indefinitely. Decision Stand 3. The reply of the Minister came to hand t\iis morning. It was to the effect that the information which led to the action taken by him was so serious that it was impossible to grant the request for the station for a continuation of its transmitting license pending an investigation of the complaints alleged. Commenting this morning on the situation, Mr. Blomfield said that the regulations governing sponsored programmes were extended in December last to permit of the mention of the name of the ordinary trade or professional calling of the sponsor. For the guidance of the station in that respect the Department had supplied specimen descriptions, such as "John Smith and Companr, bakers, Queen Street, Masterton," and at a later stage had added further examples, including such a one as "Brown and Company, manufactured of Office appliances." Other specimens were also given. Examples Quoted. "The matters complained of by the Department in the communication we received yesterday announcing the suspension of our transmitting license included seven examples of alleged breaches of the regulations," Mr. Blomfield added. "All of these, in our opinion, conform with the examples, as enumerated by the Department for our guidance when it sanctioned the extension of the sponsored programmes. For instance, the words used in one case were ' , vul- j canisers and dealers in all rubber goods, Auckland'; in another, ' , dealers in furs, frocks, millinery and hosiery, Auckland.' These descriptions, we contend and firmly believe, comply with the examples set. However, concerning two other examples, with respect to which breaches of the regulations are alleged, we state definitely that the statement of the Department is absolutely incorrect. "We honestly believe," Mr. Blomfield said, "that throughout the station's activities we have acted strictly in accordance with the interpretations of the regulations as understood from time to time. In view, however, of the arbitrary ruling of the Minister IZR has had no alternative but to comply reluctantly under protest and close'down."

Listeners' Protest. Concerning the advice received this morning from the Postmaster-General, Mr. Blomfield made the following comment: "It is clear that we have been denied the ordinary British right of appeal. We would welcome an impartial investigation of the whole business. It is still a matter for amazement that no such inquiry was instituted before the action of the Minister was taken." Mr. Blomfield stated that his firm had throughout this morning been inundated with requests from listeners for the holding immediately of a public meeting of protest. To meet that demand arrangements were now being made. Mr. G. Grey Campbell, vice-president of the IZR Club, stated to-day that the executive considered the Minister's action drastic and unwarranted, and, active steps would be taken to have the injustice rectified. "We as listeners," he said, "sincerely believe that the action taken imperils the privileges of listeners and the existei.ee of B class stations. If our representations fail, a further announcement will be made as to the action to be taken to preserve the rights of all listeners."

MINISTER'S STATEMENT.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. Questioned concerning the closing of IZR radio station, the PostmasterGeneral, Mr. Hamilton, said to-day that action followed a serious contravention of the regulations, after several warnings.