FRIENDLY ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 235, 4 October 1935, Page 9

FRIENDLY ROAD.

FUTURE UNCERTAIN.

HINT BY MR. SCRIMGEOUR. MONTH'S VISIT TO SYDNEY. A hint that he might be forced to transfer his Friendly Road activities to Australia was given by the director of the station, the Rev. C. G. Scrimgcour, to-day in a special statement to the "Star." Mr. Serimgeour leaves by the Mariposa to-night for Sydney and will return on November 0.

As president of the New Zealand Federation of B Stations, he is going to Sydney to conduct negotiations with the gramophone companies regarding the broadcasting of records, and also to investigate the possibility of establishing a recording plant in the event of negotiations failing. "I am at a loss to Know what lies behind the action of the gramophone companies," he said. "There are only thirteen independent B stations in New Zealand, and the revenue that could be obtained from them is so infinitesimal that such a. large concern as the gramophone combine could not have a great interest from the monetary point of view. There is something more behind the whole action, and I am determined to discover what it is.

"I also have very important business in connection with Friendly Road activities in the Commonwealth. I had intended to visit Australia in November, but as the results of the general election will have such a tremendous bearing upon our future here, I consic 1 « it of vital necessity to be present di »ng the election period. So I am paying this hurried visit.

"The Friendly Road lias 110 boundaries or limitations, and I do not feel that I would be justified in allowing the whole of its existence to depend upon the attitude of the Government here. I know there will be those who will say that I have gone for good, but I emphatically state that I will return to New Zealand 011 November 6. Whether I will be here next year depends entirely upon the facilities made available by those who could do so were their attitude of mind sympathetic. Present Position Seems Hopeless. "I am certainly not going to stay here to expound my ideals from the soapbox at the street corner, and the present radio position in New Zealand seems hopeless. If I do find that I have to leave the Dominion the fault will not be mine. I have almost begged the authorities for facilities to do the work which, in my opinion, they should have encouraged and not obstructed, as they have done. While we detest the necessity of taking part in politics, they are absolutely forcing the position upon us. It must be obvious to all supporters of the movement that the present Government is determined to kill it. The reason for their antagonism seems to mo to be that they are actuated by some greater power than themselves in regard to their policy toward B stations."