The “Jamming” of the Friendly Road

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 11

The “Jamming” of the Friendly Road

Sir,—-As one of ’those with implicit faith in the accuracy (or, at least, the honesty) of Ministerial and departmental statements I received a distinct shock when, as a result of a disclosure by the present Postmaster-General, we find that the “jamming” of the Friendly Road radio station was deliberate, and that it had been done under definite instruction. Apart from the fact that had the previous Government been returned the inaccurate statement would never have been refuted it is interesting to recall statements made at the time by the Rt. Hon. Mr. Coates and Mr. G. McNamara. The latter stated that an oscillator for experimental purposes had been installed, and “owing to an inadvertence it had operated on the broadcast band.” Mr. Coates was, as usual, emphatic. He stated that “the Government had nothing to do with it; nor had any Government department; nor had his party, "‘and that Mr. Scrimgeour had been offered the use of Station IYA.” The former PostmasterGeneral now admits, in a manner designed to quell any suggestion of sensation, that the act was deliberate, and that statements made at the time to reassure the public were inaccurate. I refuse, in tue meantime, to believe that they were untrue, but the matter should be pursued further. Mr. Coates and Mr. McNamara are in duty bound togive further explanations to the public. New Zealand public life is on trial, and our criticism of methods of Moscow, Chicago, and Rome must be suspended pending our being cleared of the stigma usually attached by us to such methods. —I am, etc., “MAC DEE.” Palmerston North, January 10. #