Broadcast Ban Move

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1938, Page 8

Broadcast Ban Move

(Per Presa jtssvclaf^m- — Copyright) WELLINGTON, This Day.

The National candidate for Wellington Central, Mr W. Appleton, states emphatically that he was not bluffing when, on Thursday evening, he announced his intention of issuing a writ in the Supremo Court to restrain the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, from using the country’s broadcasting facilities for election purposes in the way he is at the present time. According to legal advice he had taken, Mr Appleton said, the present arrangement constituted a breach cl section 14 of the Broadcasting Act, and the allocation' of speeches war an abuse of Ministerial powers. He had been further advised, however, that the approval of the AttorneyGeneral was necessary before a private citizen could commence an action for an injunction. In this connection, accordingly, he sent a telegram to the AttorneyGeneral, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, indicating to him the nature of the legal advice he had been tendered, and respectfully applying for approval to issue proceedings, and stating he would undertake full liability for costs. As soon as he was given the approval to proceed he would take steps to issue a writ for an injunction through the Supreme Court. The Minister’s Position. The Attorney-General, in an interview at Whangarei yesterday, said he had received Mr Appleton’s telegram, but, owing to his being in the North, away from any work he could refer to, he had referred the question to the Solicitor-General to look into. Mr Mason said he did not know what Section 14 of the Act was. It was the first occasion the position had been brought to his notice. What action Avould be taken would depend on the I Solicitor-General's comments, I