Pirate Radio Bill Draft

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31462, 31 August 1967, Page 5

Pirate Radio Bill Draft

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, August 29.

Legislation to deal with pirate radio stations has been drafted and the time of its introduction into Parliament is now under consideration.

The Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) made this statement in Parliament today after replying “Presently” to a question as to when the legislation would appear.

Mr W. W. Freer (Lab., Mount Albert) asked Mr Scott when, “in view of press announcements that a South Island pirate radio station is contemplated,” the Government intended taking action against such stations. When Mr Scott answered “Presently”, Mr Freer asked whether, in view of the fact that the Minister had made precisely the same answer when asked the same question last June, he could define the position. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr N. E. Kirk) asked whether, before this legislation was introduced, there had been any attempt to prosecute a pirate radio station

for operating within the three-mile limit. Mr Scott: Radio Hauraki has been warned not to broadcast inside the threemile limit. Mr Freer: But what about breaches of this ruling? Mr Scott: We have not been advised of any breaches. We are in the hands of our advisors.

Mr R. J. Tizard (Lab., Pakuranga): Have any instructions been given for prosecution if a breach is committed? Mr Scott: No.