B RADIO STATIONS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12904, 3 July 1936, Page 5

B RADIO STATIONS

MR. SAVAGE MAKES POLICY PLAIN. GOVERNMENT WANTS TO PURCHASE ALL AVAILABLE. DECISION RESTS WITH OWNERS. SUBSIDY IN CASE OF REFUSAL TO SELL. (l’ress Association). WELLINGTON, July 3. A declaration that the Government's object was to assume control o!- all B stations, was made by the Prime Minister to-day, speaking as Minister of Broadcasting.

Mr. Savage added that there was r.o intention on the parts of the Goveminent to inflict any injustice upon the. owners of stations, and it was the Government’s desire to do the fair thing by owners. He made it clear that he would have no objection to resorting to abritbation in the event of the price fixed by the Government valuers not being acceptable to sellers, but pointed out that in the event «.»€ arbitration he would brook no dela>. Mr.: Savage said it was the-inten-tion of the Government to meet the owners of B stations, with a view to making satisfactory arrangements. ‘•We must have a valuation of the plant,” he said, “but in addition to that, wo must also have a valuation of the service which,the stations give. Wo have on intention of being mean or doing an injustice. At the samo time, we cannot be over-generous with other people’s money. If a station objects to the Government purr chasing it, then all the facts will taken into consideration in arranging the subsidy to bo paid.-” > Tho reason for wanting to tako over all. the stations, lie said, was the Government’s desiro to havo the whole of the broadcasting services of New Zealand nationalised. “We.want to purchase aILB stations if WQ can, 7 he said, “but we don’t want to force them into that position. -If they-don’t want to sell they will he subsidised for the service they give.” -\ ■: \ . .