Mr. Scrimgeour’s Challenge To His Critics

Northern Advocate, 13 December 1937, Page 6

Mr. Scrimgeour’s Challenge To His Critics

[Special To “Northern Advocate"] AUCKLAND. This Day. “J WILL CHALLENGE ANY OF THOSE PARTIES ACCUSING ME OF

ALL THESE TERRIBLE CRIMES TO PROVE ANY ONE OF THEM BEFORE A RESPONSIBLE BODY OF CITIZENS. AND. IF PROOF IS FORTHCOMING, I WILL NOT ONLY RESIGN MY POSITION AS DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING, BUT I WILL ALSO MAKE A DONATION OF £SOO TO ANY ORGANISATION NOMINATED.”

This statement was made by Mr C. G. Scrimgeour when speaking at the anniversary gathering of the Friendly Road movement, held in Auckland last night. There was an attendance of about 3000.

Mr Scrimgeour referred to the great amount of criticism that had been

directed not only against himself and the Friendly Road, but also against individuals connected with the radio- station. He also recalled charges of corrupt practice, irresponsible action and incompetency, which, he said, had been made from time to time in relation to his handling of his position as controller of the commercial broadcasting service.

M.P.s Have Not Spared Red. Members of Parliament had not spared the rod when speaking under the cover and privilege of the House, said Mr Scrimgeour. A certain newspaper bad made extravagant charges, and had demanded a Royal Commission. but in the House members hact confined themselves to referring to these allegations. Although they had been challenged repeatedly to make charges themselves, none had been forthcoming. At that time he had been unable to make any reply, but he now felt 'that he should make j some reference to the statements. | After offering to give £SOO to any i organisation named. as mentioned above. Mr Scrimgeour said that the [ same newspaper had alleged that Mr [ John Stannage, of Stannage Radio, Ltd., was acting as a “dummy” for » him, and that there had been corrupt nractice between Mr Stannage and limself. 1 Accused of Malpractice. He had also been accused of nalpractice in association with other irms who had dealings with Ihe commercial broadcasting service. Another j I illegation was that lie had “pocket- j I id” the money, totalling £SOOO, which | had been paid for station IZB. I Actually, the amount which had j been paid was £2IOO. Of that sum, practically all had been required j j to meet the liabilities of the sta- [ tion, and personally he had not 1 received a penny. The claim had been settled by arbitration, added Mr Scrimgeour. the umpire being Sir Walter Stringer, who had decided that no goodwill should be paid and that only the tangible assets should be paid for at a price fixed by the valuers. Friendly Road Not Affected, The lease of IZB held by Mr Scrimgeour personally was to be purchased for £350. That sum was included in the £2IOO. The Friendly Road had not been seriously affected by the sale, as the facilities previously enjoyed through the operation of the station were continued. The Prime Minister, Mr Savage, had given an assurance that the movement would be in no way interfered with.