RADIO RHEMA READY

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33433, 15 January 1974, Page 14

RADIO RHEMA READY

Mr Z. Humphrey is shown in the photograph, tuning the controls of Radio Rherna in Latimer Square last evening. But the equipment will not be in use as early as was expected. Radio Rhema, run by the Gospel Radio Fellowship, will not begin broadcasting today, as confirmation of a 28-day licence from the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Douglas) has not yet been given.

The director of the fellowship (Mr D. Berry) will meet the Minister in Wellington this morning, and if a licence is granted, hopes to begin broadcasting within a week. Mr N. Rush, the assistant director of the fellowship, said last evening that they had a mobile unit set up in Latimer Square to begin broadcasting during the Commonwealth Games period provided a licence is granted.

The unit would be the coordinating body for all Christian activities during this period.

He said the mobile unit can be moved to any particular function and is the first step to a full size station. The programme content would not be religious, but would be based on Christian principles and standards. It would outline the purpose in fife, and bring purposeful answers to problems in life, Mr Rush said. Mr Rush said it would be a community station, and would provide a voice for every group in the community which had something worthwhile to say. “We need a great deal more response from people. It is their station, and we want to broadcast what they really want,” he said.