LAST "GOOD NIGHT"

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 234, 2 October 1937, Page 11

LAST "GOOD NIGHT"

b radio Station. OWNER FORCED TO SELL. GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Friday. "If a man with a revolver were to stick it in the small of your back, demanding your money, what would you do? Is not that the case here? When I say that this station is being compelled to close down I mean every word I say," declared the Mayor of Palmerston North, Mr. A. E. Mansford, last evening, when speaking at the farewell session of radio station 2ZO. Formerly owned by Mr. J. V. Kyle, the station to-day passed into the hands of the Government.

"This being the last evening on which 2ZO will be on the air, I want to express my very deep regret that Mr. Kyle is being forced to close his station. Owing to instructions issued to the station I am prevented from speaking as plainly, as I would like to," said Mr. Mansford, who then read a letter received by Mr. Kyle a few days ago.

The letter, dated Saptember 24, was from the Director or Broadcasting, Professor James Shelley, and read as follows: "I understand you purpose closing down your station next week and that a farewell function is being held, and that you are to broadcast a talk. In the circumstances, it is not proposed to call for the script of your talk provided you give an assurance that it will contain nothing of a controversial nature, and that no attack will be made on any person or body. I should be glad to receive this assurance prior to the function, which I trust will be successful in every way." Exchange of Telegrams. On Tuesday came a telegram, also from Professor Shelley: "Awaiting assurance requested my letter 24th." The telegram being marked reply prepaid, the following reply was sent: "Everything broadcast is controversial; only facts will be broadcast." "I have seen the correspondence and know what I am talking about." continued Mr. Mansford, "and it is very regrettable that a city such as ours is not to have a station of its own. I want to thank Mr. Kyle for the numerous occasions on which courtesy lias been extended to me to make indent appeals 011 behalf of various individuals and institutions. Also, as a member of the Hospital Board, 7 appreciate the vast amount which 2ZO has done in connection with Christmas functions held annually at the hospital, in providing a Christmas treat and entertainment for the children in the children's ward."

Chairman of the 2ZO Radio Club since its inception 011 August 18. 1934, when it superseded the Manawatu Listeners' Club. Mr. E. A. Shackleton said members of the committee regretted that the station was closing down, but were quite cheerful over the matter, knowinsr that their efforts over the past five yearn had been of 110 little service to the listening public. He stressed that the view held by some that Mr. Kvle had been well paid for his services was quite erroneous. Nobody had been paid for anv service connected with the station. Owner's Farewell.

"Station 2KO came on the air honourably. and T hope it will grn off the air aleo with honour." said Mr. Kvle in opening his concluding broadcast. He intimated at the outset that he did not propose to make am- political attack. Mr. Kvle recalled that he ha- 1 l>een broadcasting for twelve and a linlf years, and all the equipment of the station was his own. The price he was beiii2 paid, he said. represented slightly over one-half of what the station was worth. While he had not wished to sell and had written to the Prime Minister askinsr for broadcasting right* to lie •rranted him. this had been refused. And so now it had come to the time to say good-night and good-bve. And so another B station goes of the air.