Australian Stations Offer Radio Time To Liberals

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30288, 14 November 1963, Page 16

Australian Stations Offer Radio Time To Liberals

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, November 13. Two Australian stations, 3X2 Sydney and 3AW Melbourne, have offered radio time to the leader of the Liberal Party (Mr R. M. Hutton-Potts) on November 29, the eve of the General Election in New Zealand.

The Liberal Party has not been allowed any broadcasting time in New Zealand.

Mr Hutton-Potts today sent a cable to the manager of Station 2UE, Sydney, telling him the Liberal Party had been unable to procure time from the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation for a pre-election address and asking for a quotation for a 15minute and a 30-minute taped broadcast. The time Mr Hutton-Potts asked for was 10 p.m. (New Zealand) on November 29. His address would be recorded in New Zealand and flown to Sydney.

“This is an attempt to reach the listening public of New Zealand which I otherwise will be unable to do,” he said tonight. He received the Australian offers tonight. He said one of the offers would be accepted and “on the face of it Sydney’s would be preferred.” Sydney’s offer was 30 minutes from 10 p.m. (N.Z. time) on November 29. Melbourne’s was for 15 minutes from 10 30 p.m. Mr Hutton-Potts said he

assumed the offers were arranged through Station 2UK Mr Hutton-Potts said the Liberal Party would also still accept any New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation offer of time but it recognised the decision on this rested in law with the Government. However, there had not been a reply from the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) to a telegram sent on Sunday when the party’s request for one hour and 10 minutes radio and television time was repeated. The party sought two halfhour broadcasts and two fiveminute television spots.