RADIO BROADCASTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 305, 20 September 1943, Page 6

RADIO BROADCASTS

Democratic Labour Alleges Discrimination “The electors of New Zealand must well ponder over the discrimination shown •i"ainst Mr. J. A. Lee and the Democratic Soldier Labour Party by the present Government," says a statement issued bv Mr. F. DI. Earle, honorary secretary of the party. “Despite our having o2 candidates, two-thirds of whom are returned soldiers, we have, been permitted only one broadcast early in the campaign. From then onward our leader and his candidates tire being abused in broadcasts without the right of reply through the same channel. “This is bad enough, but now it is understood that Dlr. Lee is not to be allowed to speak along with the other party leaders on the Friday night before polling day. AVhat a travesty of democracy! 'Such vicious treatment is unworthy of our New Zealand tradition. “This injustice particularly rankles in view of the fact that wherever Mr. Lee has spoken in the North Island and in Dunedin he has drawn much larger attendances than the Prime Minister or other Ministers. Dlrs. Lee has just concluded a successful tour of the South Island, speaking at Ashburton, Oamaru, Timaru o and Christchurch, with a similar result. Our candidates have also enjoyed good meetings. Perhaps that is why the present Government party take refuge behind the microphone and denies us the right to reply to which wc are entitled. AVe demand justice.”