Freedom, of the Air

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 48, 26 February 1938, Page 3

Freedom, of the Air

GOVERNMENT ’ S BROADCASTING (restrictions. "I read in a recently published book, nothing goes on tho air in. the Soviet Union, Germany or Italy that could possibly offend respectively, Stalin, Hitler .and Mussolini," said the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., in alluding to the Government's radio broadcasting policy in his addross at Feilding last evening. "And nothing goes on tho air in New Zealand that could possibly offend the present Government, or their advanced supporters,’ he continued. "Most of us have heard of the refusal to allow the broadcasting of the very fine sermon of the Rev. Father Crowe. The Rev. gentleman was too outspoken for the powers controlling our broadcasting system. He called a spade "a spade" and exposed the cruelty, dishonesty and immorality of Communism. He quoted Stalin, who said—‘ ‘ Communism will wage a campaign against Catholicism, against Protestantism and against Orthodoxy, in order to assure the triumph of the Socialist mentality." "It was a remarkable circumstance," said Mr Cobbe "that shortly after the refusal to broadcast Father Crowe's sermon, listeners-iu were advised to read a book that preaches Athiesm. It has been truly said by tho head of a great Christian Church that ‘the firs*;, the greatest, the most general peril, is Communism in all its forms and degrees.’ Formerly the Socialist was rewarded by many as an innocent dreamer, a harmless idealist. But the modern Socialist has been termed, with a good deal of truth, "a Communist without tho courage of his convictions. ’ ’