B STATION CLOSED

Evening Star, Issue 21433, 9 June 1933, Page 11

B STATION CLOSED

PEREMPTORY SUSPENSION CLUB TAKING STEPS FOR REINSTATEMENT [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, June 8. The B class radio station IZR, owned by Messrs Lewis Eady Ltd., has been closed indefinitely from to-night, its license having been suspended by the Postmaster-General (Hon A. Hamilton). In a letter received by the proprietors, the Minister ordered that transmission should case forthwith “ in view of the breaches of the regulations concerning sponsored programmes.” The instructions carnc as a bombshell. The Acting-Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates) and the Postmas-ter-General were hurriedly communicated with, but no relaxation of tho instructions was made. In his reply Air Coates said ho had referred the matter to the Postmaster-General. The announcement of the closing down was first made to listeners shortly after 9 o’clock to-night by the secretary to the proprietors. “ Unfortunately, the Post and Telegraph Department has taken exception to certain matters of procedure which we in all sincerity believe to be within the regulations,” said the secretary. “We are somewhat astounded to receive sudden notice that onr transmission must cease forthwith. We have no alternative but reluctantly to comply with these instructions under protest and close down.” “ The executive of the IZR Club considers that the Minister’s action is drastic and unwarranted,” said another speaker. Active steps would be taken to have the injustice rectified, as the executive believed that the action taken imperilled the privileges of listeners and the existence of B stations, if the club’s representations to tho Act-ing-Prime Minister failed an announcement would be made in the Press as to what steps would be taken to preserve the rights of all listeners.

A meeting of the executive of the club, which has a membership of nearly 4,000, was held to consider the position.