RESTRICTIONS ON BROADCASTING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23378, 11 July 1941, Page 8

RESTRICTIONS ON BROADCASTING

SUGGESTION AT MOTOR UNION MEETING POSSIBLE USE OP SIGNALS BY RAIDERS That the Government should restrict the use of radio broadcasting facilities in somewhat the same way that it has restricted lighting was claimed by Mr F, W. Freeman during a discussion on the lighting restrictions at the meeting of the executive of the South Island Motor Union last evening. He said that any raiding ship could secure adequate bearings from the radio stations operating in New Zealand, irrespective of taking any bearings on lights seen from off shore. Mr G. S. Morris, another member, said earlier in the discussion that the lighting restrictions were, “nonsense.": Any seaman could tell the authorities , that a sky glow was not necessary for the taking of a bearing, and that the absence of sky glow would not hinder a raider who wanted to make.a bearing. - ’ . “I am no seaman,” said the chairman, Mr W. R. Carey, “but I believe that a three-point bearing could be secured by any raider without the use of sky glow, and at any time.” Mr Freeman said the Government should take into consideration the possibility of raiders using the existing radio stations to make bearings. He said that all ships, and particularly raiders, now had the most up-to-date radio “gadgets.” All a raider would have to do, he said, would be to tune in to two of the New Zealand radio stations aiid without the use of any shore lighting or glow, make a bearing. The Government had not yet answered this question about the use to which the radio stations could be put by raiders; _ . ■ ... Mr P. W. Breen: But they say that they need the radio stations to be kept on, in case of an emergency. Mr Freeman: But the stations , could come into action at any time there was an emergency. , Mr Carey; I think we could get over the radio problem, but it does not seem to be a problem for the South Island Motor Union.