HEAVY MAIL BAGS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 69, 14 December 1933, Page 8

HEAVY MAIL BAGS

“Friendly Road” Broadcast Services REINSTATEMENT URGED The fact that he had already, received 2620 letters urging the reinstatement of the “Friendly Road” broadcast services at Auckland was revealed by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, when replying to a question by Mr. F. Lye (Govt., Waikato) In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Mr. Lye said that members were being inundated with correspondence and he asked the Prime Minister to give an indication at an early date as to the policy of the Government in the matter, so as to render unnecessary a continuation of the correspondence, the . acknowledgement of which was causing members much concern and work. The Prime Mipister said he could appreciate the difficulties of members but the solution of the problem was not as simple as it appeared. He understood the “Friendly Road” organisation had been offered an opportunity of continuing on the air in conjunction with other church services. This had not been accepted and the request now was for a separate broadcasting station for this particular organisation. This was a very sqrlous step in broadcasting and one that later on might have far-reaching effects, especially when applications come in from other similar organisations. The whole matter was still having consideration with a view to seeing whether a satisfactory arrangement could be made, and it was hoped to give an indication at an early date as desired by Mr. Lye. Mr. Forbes also said he would like to take the opportunity of expressing regret at the inability of the staff of his office, owing to extreme pressure of -work entailed by the Parliamentary session, to undertake the preparation of a separate acknowledgement of the receipt of the 2620 letters on this subject which he had received to date. He could only ask these correspondents to accept this general acknowledgement of the receipt of their letters.