1 ZM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 157, 5 July 1937, Page 8

1 ZM.

GOVT. PURCHASE.

MR. RODGERS REMAINS IN CONTROL.

ASSURANCE FROM MINISTER. LISTENERS' INTERESTS SAFEGUARDED. Station IZM, Manurewa. which foi the last four years Ims been financially •supported by the "Auckland Star," Ims been purchased by th? Government. It was jointed out in these columns on June 24 that tlie dominant desire of the. directors of New Zealand Newspapers, Limited, respecting the station was that it should continue to afford entertainment to it< listeners, hampered an little as possible by Government restrictions. The acting-Minister of Broadcasting, the Hon. F. Jones, required that a reply to the Government'.: offer to purchase the station be marie not later than July 3—Saturday last-and indicated that no extension would be granted. In response to further inquiries, the Minister stated that the Government was not prepared to consider transfer of the company's interest to any other persons or organiaa(ion*. The Government would not permit of the sale of the station or its transfer. As it has been impossible to obtain an assurance that any reasonable subsidy towards the increasing cost of maintaining the station would be granted, the directors concluded that the only way to secure a continuance of IZM's service to the listeners was to dispose of its interests to the Government. This course was followed only after obtaining an assurance from the Minister that it is the intention of the Government to maintain the station under the direction of Mr. W. W. Rodgers, and that such a type of programme will bo transmitted as will make it to retain its individuality and popularity with the listenng public. The existence of the station was at stake when the "Star" came to ite assistance In March, 1934. It had neither income nor subsidy and no possibility of continuing without financial help. The "Auckland Star" pro- ' vided that help in the interests of Its readers, many of whom were also station listeners. For four years the "Star" has maintained the station at considerable cost for salaries, maintenance and improvement, with no return other than the appreciation of its reading public. It has never been suggested by any party that the slightest attempt has been made to introduce policy or politics into the station's programmes. All such matter has been rigidly barred and the station's output has been entirely entertaining and educational in character. The decision to sell the station was made not without regrets, for the welfare and progress of IZM has become a matter of very real interest to the newspaper. In view of the Minister's statements it was realised that the best interests of the listeners could be served only by dissociating the station from New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd.; in fact, no other way of ensuring the station's future presented itself. With the assurance that all the popular features of IZM will be preserved, the "Star" expresses the sincere hope that the station will long remain on the air under its esteemed director, Mr. W. W. Rodgers, as a centre of broadcasting entertainment for its wide circle of listeners.