RUMOUR CONFIRMED

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 130, 6 June 1927, Page 8

RUMOUR CONFIRMED

MR. PRENTICE'S RESIGNATION

INDIGNATION IN AUCKLAND

(By Telesraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post") AUCKLAND, This Day. ior a few days rumours have been current that Auckland is shortly to lose the popular radio announcer who was brought from Sydney towards the end of last year,, and who has since become almost a member of thousands of households in the Dominion. Interviewed to-day, Mr. J. M. Prentice said that for the moment he could say nothing on the subject, except that following his recent trip South, a sharp division of opinion had arisen with regard to matters of policy generally, and with regard to staff matters- in particular. In consequence his resignation was tendered on 22nd April, and was immediately accepted. In, accordance with tho terms of his contract, however, his period of service with the New Zealand Broadcasting Company does not terminate till tho end of July. Mr. Prentice said he deplored tho position that had arisen, but he felt that in justice to himself and the pledges given to the public on his arrival, it was impossible to continue in what was essentally a false position. The news of the resignation and its acceptance lias created more than a flutter in radio circles. By his conscientious work under difficulties, and by his courteous and genial disposition, Mr. Prentice has endeared himself to his vast audiences in both islands, a:id to all with whom ho has come in personal contact. So general is the feeling of regret that the opinions of several local residents prominently interested in radio were sought by a "Star" representative. Mr. B. G. Stephens, chairman of the Auckland Radio Dealers' Association, stated that he looked upon the prospective loss of Mr. Prentice's services as a really serious blow to the progress of radio broadcasting in New Zealand. Mr. A. C. Jacob, president of the recently formed Auckland Listeners' League, said: "I feel that tho news of Mr. Prentice's .resignation will ■prejudicially afreet tho desired increase in licenses. It only confirms my opinion tlwit tlio veil of secrecy over'the operations of the Broadcasting Company is haying a very bad effect on tho public, which is beginning to loso confidence in its administration. Though I do not know the particulars of what caused the resignation, I can only express the hope that the Broadcasting Company will bo willing to give the executive of the Listeners' League an early chance of meeting its representative and discussing tho wholo position from the listeners' viewpoint." Mr. Trevor Stringer, secretary of the leaguo, was equally emphatic. "It appears to me," ho said, "that if the' company had deliberately laid itself out to alienate the sympathy of listeuors it could not have chosen a better metnod than the acceptance of Mr. Prentico's resignation. His departure will be nothin gless than a calamity in radio circles." Speaking as a listener with experience both in Britain and in the Dominion, Mr. H. Ninnis declared that the loss of Mr. Prentice would bo disastrous to Auckland broadcasting. New Zealand was at least two years behind the rest of the Empire in radio development, and Mr. Prenticu was tho only man in the Dominion capable of overtaking that handicap. "There is something radically wrong with broadcasting control in New Zealand," he said "and it is imperative that the whole subject should have the fullest investigation."