WIDE DISAPPROVAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 21, 23 December 1938, Page 7

WIDE DISAPPROVAL

BAN ON RADIO STATION.

EFFORTS FOR LIFTING

REPERCUSSIONS LIKELY. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.; Received December 23, 8.5 a.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 22. : The action of the PostmasterGeneral (Mi Cameron) in withdrawing station 2KY’s license is causing wide comment and substantial disapproval in political and other quarters. Judging from statements published in to-day’s Sun, some of the Government’s own supporters regard Mr Cameron’s action as high-handed and likely to have serious political repercussons, coupled wtli Mr H. C. Thorby’s recent clash with the Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. Curtin).

A prominent member of the United Australia Party, Mr W. McCall, declared that it was not easy to imagine that any statement made from 2KY would be more dangerous than that for which one of Mr J. A. Lyons’s own Cabinet members had just apologised.

The main development to-day was the decision of Mr R. King, president of the' Sydney Trades and Labour Council, which controls 2KY, to fly to South Australia to see Mr Cameron with a view to inducing him to reconsider the ban. Mr Cameron announced from Adelaide that he was prepared to negotiate with representatives of 2KY, but declined to disclose his reason, for putting the station off the air. A report from Adelaide states that Mr Cameron refused to be stampeded by Labour threats, and resented accusations that lie was attempting a dictatorship. He was getting quite used to the designation of Fascist when something was done by a Cabinet Minister which’ was disapproved by the person affected. MEETING OF PROTEST. Labour organisations are in a frenzy over the peremptory closing of their station, and are preparing a public meeting of protest by business men, advertisers and sympathisers generally ; also, petitions for signature are being circulated throughout the State. Certain key unions are threatening direct action. The metal trades contemplate irritation strikes on defence contracts and munitions, and power house employees are considering a partial black-out of the city. Officials at 2KY declare that they are receiving sympathetic messages from listeners in all parts of the State.

A large number of Labour enthusiasts' to-day demdnstrated in Sydney streets against Mr Cameron, registering through loudspeakers a lusty protest anent the stifling of free speech.