“Pirate” Radio Bill

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31134, 10 August 1966, Page 16

“Pirate” Radio Bill

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 9. The Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Scott) today received a copy of the United Kingdom Marine and Broadcasting (Offences) Bill which bans broadcasts from “pirate” radio stations off Britain’s coast—but he declined to comment on whether similar legislation would be introduced this session.

“At this stage 1 wouldn't like to comment on the prospect of any legislation coming in this session because it depends on a lot of factors,” he said.

But none of the planned “pirate” stations in New Zealand were, in his opinion, any nearer “getting off the ground” than they were three months ago. he said. “Their toughest job is to

get off the ground and start broadcasting,” he said. Mr Scott said he would start studying the British bill tonight, “but I cannot say when I shall be in a position to report to the Government. “I personally cannot support anybody who would achieve illegal means to broadcast. My persona) opinion is that it won’t help anybody to adopt illegal means.” Mr Scott said he understood five or six “pirate” stations had been registered in New Zealand. “The information 1 have is that most of them are not making as much progress as Radio Hauraki,” he said. Mr Scott said that, as far as he knew, none of the ships from which it was planned the stations would broadcast, had been surveyed by the Marine Department. “This law is fairly strict because safety at sea is a very serious matter,” he said.