Others interested

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32846, 21 February 1972, Page 2

Others interested

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Feb. 20.

Although the Associated Network group has announced that it is with-

drawing its application for a television warrant, at least two other groups are interested in a warrant according to the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Walker).

Mr Walker declined to name the two groups, hut it is probable that one of them contains Radio Hauraki, the Auckland private radio station.

Commenting on the Associated Network announcement, Mr Walker said that under the Broadcasting Authority Act the Government had no power to direct that a warrant be issued to any specific party.

“Provision is made quiet clearly in the act for a right of appeal to the administrative division of the Supreme Court by any interested party,” he said. However, in instructing the Broadcasting Authority to call for applications, the Government was strictly within the law and the terms of the act.

Mr Walker challenged the group’s statement that the Government’s “nondecision” virtually assured the N.Z.B.C. of a monopoly of both channels.

“When applications are called, anybody will be able to put their case,” the Minister said. He had no doubt that if the N.Z.B.C. was successful in its application, the Government, as it was entitled to do under the Broadcasting Act, would instruct the N.Z.B.C. that an independent source should be allowed to run

current affairs and news programmes. Mr Walker denied that the Government had procrastinated over a second channel. “Anybody who understood the technical aspects of the decision would know why there has been a delay.”

The Minister said he was most grateful to Associated Network for the work it devoted to preparing its evidence. The group had played a major part in allowing the authority to compile a comprehensive report on a need for a second channel. Asked if he was disappointed by the group’s decision, Mr Walker said: “I wouldn’t like to say that, or somebody would say that I was biased one way or another. I know of two different groups interested in making an application."