WILL CARRY ON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 234, 3 October 1935, Page 9

WILL CARRY ON.

FORCE IF NEEDED. DIGGERS' BROADCAST. FRIENDLY ROAD STATION. BODYGUARD 0= " TROOPS." Determination to use force if necessary to prevent interference with the broadcast of the "Diggers" session from IZB, "The Friendly Road," broadcasting station, was expressed last night at the concert which was held in the Town Hall for the benefit of disabled returned soldiers. Mr. Rod. Talbot, the "features" speaker of the session, said thaf if occasion arose, a number of returned men would go down to the studio and take charge while the session was in progress.

"A rumour has been going round that I am to be banned from the air," continued Mr. Talbot. "The three reasons supposed to have been given are, that, firstly, I put over a controversial talk on war; secondly, I invited a member of Parliament to speak during my session, and. thirdly, that I have appealed for funds for charity over the air.

"Up to now, I have made no comment on the Government and their actions, but as it looks.as if lam going to get the cane, I will retaliate. The Government and tlie Radio Broadcasting Board may paddle around in their own political mire as much as they please, and I have nothing to say, but if they attempt to interfere with my efforts to entertain the troops in the various hospitals and institutions, T will start something which they won't be able to stop. "I have spoken to the executive of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, and they have assured me that the troops will not tolerate any interference, and that whatever I undertake, they will back up to a man." Reason for Resentment. It had been suggested, he added, that some effort would bo made to stop him from conducting bis session. "To that I reply that a number of troops will come down to the studio during the period and prevent any possibility of interference."

It was not as if he were doing any harm. On the contrary, perhaps the public would be surprised if lie told them ho was rccciving hundreds of letters from soldier listeners-in, telling him how much they appreciated what he was doing. It seemccl a petty thing to interfere with a broadcast that was trying to do only good to those whom no one seemed to worry much about.

In the -Auckland Infirmary, he added, there were 52 men, of whom two received pensions. In the Auckland Mental Hospital there were some 280, of whom 50 were pensioners. In the Public Hospital the weekly number fluctuated round SO, of whom but few were pensioners. "I feel resentful about this," lie said, "because the returned soldiers have not had a 'fair deal' since they came back from tho war. We were promised anything if we would go and light. We did, but when the fighting was finished promises were forgotten. It is made worse when our wrongs become political baits. It seems nothing to take away a few shillings from pensioners and returned soldiers; and when some trouble looms on the horizon they offer something as a political sop. I hope that no returned Roldier will be foolish enough to accept it." RETURNED SOLDIERS' VIEW. "Every member of my executive and n. big majority of the clubs with whom we have so far got in touch are prepared to stand behind Mr. Talbot and support him in his fight," said the president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. J. W. Kendall, this morning. "If it became necessary we would communicate with the New Zealand headquarters of the Returned Soldiers' Association and take steps to

gain the support of every returned boldier*' association in New Zealand. What Mr. Talbot was doing in the "Diggers'" session was productive of nothing but good, Mr. Kendall continued. Jt helped returned men in the various institutions, who looked forward to the session as they.did to nothing else that ■was broadcast. Inasmuch as the session •was doing good to returned soldiers, it ■was natural that the Returned Soldiers Association should Support it and work for its continuance without interference. "Tf the \.R.S.A. found it necessary to Jiold a protest, believe mc," said Mr. Kendall, "we would have the biggest parade ever seen in Auckland.