CLOSING DOWN OF RADIO STATION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22592, 23 December 1938, Page 9

CLOSING DOWN OF RADIO STATION

Australian Minister’s Action

SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS EXPECTED

(rmiTXD PBESS ASSOCIATION COFTXIG3T-J (Received December 23, 12,30 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 22, The Postmaster-General's action in withdrawing the licence of 2KY is causing wide comment and substantial disapproval in political and other quarters, judging from statements published in to-day's "Sun."* Some of the Government's own supporters regard Mr Cameron's action as high-handed and likely to hava serious political repercussions coupled with Mr Thorby's recent clash with the Leader of the Opposition.

A prominent member of the United Australia Party, Mr W. McCall, declared that it was not easy to imagine any statement made from SKY more dangerous than that for which, one of Mr Lyons's own Cabinet members had just apologised. The main development to-day was the decision of Mr R. King, president of the Sydney Trades and Labour Council, which controls 2KY, to fly to South Australia to see Mr Cameron to induce him to reconsider the ban.

Mr Cameron announced from Adelaide to-day that he was prepared to negotiate with the representatives of 2KY, but he declined to disclose the reason for putting the station off the air.

A large number of Labour enthusiasts to-day demonstrated in Sydney streets against Mr Cameron. Through loud-speakers they made strong protests anent the stifling of free speech.

Previous Warnings Interviewed in Melbourne to-night on his way to Adelaide, the Post-master-General (Mr A. G. Cameron) said that he accepted full responsibility for the withdrawal of the SKY licence at 4 p.m. yesterday. He had given a personal warning that action would be taken if that broadcasting station failed to conform to the requirements of his department. He added; “We expect from the commercial broadcasting stations the same standard of ethics as is demanded from the newspapers.” It is understood that correspondence between the Postmaster-General's department and 2KY has been going on for two years concerning the transmission of statements which are regarded as objectionable by the Federal Government, particularly upon international affairs. Officials at 2KY expressed amazement at the suddenness of the Post-master-General’s action, which is attributed to views in statements emanating from their news commentator upon the pig-iron dispute at Port Kembla and the controversy between Mr Thorby and Mr Curtin. One remark is said to have pictured Mr Thorby as trying to run Australia with a spittoon in one hand and a smoking gun in the other.

One Minute’s Notice One minute’s notice was given the station that it was to be cut off the air and 2KY had no opportunity to inform listeners. Mr R. King, M.L.C., secretary of the SKY Committee, said that Mr Cameron had complained that the 2KY news commentator, Mr J. Morley. had attacked individuals. Mr King added that Mr Cameron was trying to stifle free speech over the air. About 20 minutes after the station was cut out, the chief radio inspector, Mr W. T. Crawford, arrived at the transmitting station at French’s Forest on the northern side of the harbour, accompanied by a policeman armed with a warrant to enter the station and the transmitter was closed.

The Australian Labour Party decided last night to call upon all branches and workers generally to carry motions of protest. The Prime Minister, who was in Devonport last night, made telephone contact with Mr Cameron at Ararat and arranged for Mr Cameron to get in touch with the controllers of the station to-day.

Mr Lyons stated that he did not propose to take any further action at present in the dispute between Mr Thorby and Mr Curtin in view of Mr Curtin’s acceptance of Mr Thorby’s explanation.