Radio Jammed Under Instructions

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 8, 10 January 1936, Page 7

Radio Jammed Under Instructions

FRIENDLY ROAD AFFAIR. (Special to "Times.”) WELLINGTON, Last Night. As a result of investigations that have been made by the Government, it has been established that the "jamming” of the-radio station IZB, Auckland, known popularly as the "Friendly Road,” just prior to the General Election, was done under instructions, issued by responsible authorities, with the consent of the then PostmasterGeneral (Hon. A. Hamilton) to the taking of the steps that were adopted tu put the station off the air on that occasion. This statement was made to a reporter to-day by the Postmaster-Gen-eral (Hon. F. Jones). At tho time of the incident, which happened on November 24, reception from this station was mutilated by an exceedingly powerful transmitter operating on the station’s wave-length. The interference, it was reported at - the time, was concentrated on tho period during which the director (Rev. C. G. Serimguour) was addressing listeners in the course of the usual Sunday session. Allegations were made that the jamming was done deliberately, but these were refuted. Hon. J. G. Coates, when interviewed at the time, was reported as saying: "Any suggestion that the Government was in away responsible for the interference was quite without foundation.” He deplored the whole "unfortunate happening.”

Instructions Given by the

Government

"BREAKING REGULATIONS TOO FLAGRANTLY.”

INVERCARGILL, Last Night

Interviewed to-day concerning the jamming of the Friendly Road radio station, Hon. A. Hamilton, PostmasterGeneral in the last Government, said. "As a result of past experience with this station, instructions were -given that, if he overstepped tho mark too far and broko the regulations too flagrantly, he Avas to be stopped. Evidently- it was considered that he was doing this.”