DUNEDIN “LISTENERS.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 156, 3 June 1937, Page 2

DUNEDIN “LISTENERS.”

REQUEST TO BROADCAST. REASON FOR REFUSAL. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, June 2. The Acting-Minister of Broadcasting (Hon. F. Jones) was asked why permission was refused to broadcast the lively meeting of radio listeners held at Dunedin to discuss the Government’s policy relating to B. stations. “They did not apply until the morning of the day the meeting was held,” stated Mr Jones. “I had a telephone message from Mr Harold Booth, of the Radio Listeners’ League, oil the previous evening and the necessary application was made next morning by telegram.

“The Broadcasting Act (section 15) provides that programmes to go over the air should be previously approved. I did not know what was to be broadcast and, in view of this lack of the necessary information, I decided not to give permission.” The interviewer mentioned the fact that there was ah Auckland listeners’ meeting next week and application was being made for broadcasting it over a B station. The Minister was asked if the Dunedin decision would govern the position in the future, but he promptly replied in the negative. “All we ask,” he said, “is that stations comply with the existing Act in relation to broadcasting and, according to that Act, all programmes have to bo approved. If the Auckland application complies with the Act I am prepared to consider it. Each case must bo considered on its merits.”