NEW ZEALAND BROADCASTING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 June 1927, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND BROADCASTING

.RESIGNATION OF MR PRENTICE

REGRET AND INDIGNATION IN A NORLAND

(By Tetogririb —Spoiijii tri “The Iff all.”)

AUCKLAND, Glh June

For a few days rumours have been current Mint Auckland is shortly to lose the popular radio announcer who was brought from Sydney towards the end of last year, and who has since become almost a member of thousands of households in the Dominion.

Interviewed to-day, Mr J. M. Prentice said that for the moment, he could say nothing on the subject, except that following his recent trip South, a sharp division of opinion had arisen with regard to matters of policy generally, anti with regard to stall matters in particular. In consequence his resignation was tendered on 22ud April, and was immediately accepted, in accordance with the terms of his contract, however, Ids period of service with the New Zealand Broadcasting Compaiiy does not terminate. till (lie end of July. Mr Prentice said he deplored the position that had arisen, but, he. felt, that in justice to himself and the pledges given to tlie public on hi,s’arrival, it was impossible to coniinuc in what was essentially a. false position. The news of tlie resignation and its acceptance has created move than a flutter in radio circles. By. Ids conscientious work under difficulties, and by his courteous and genial disposition, Mr Prentice has endeared himself to his vast audiences in both islands, and to all with whom lie has come in .personal contact,. So general is the feeling of regret that the opinions of several local residents prominently interested in radio were sought by a “Star” representative. Mr B. G. Stephens, chairman of the Auckland Radio Dealers’ Association, stated that, he looked upon the prospective loss of Mr Prentice’s services as a really serious blow to the progress of radio broadcasting in New Zealand. Mr A. C. .Jacob, president of the recently formed) Auckland Listeners’, League, said: “I feel that the news of Mr Prentice’s resignation will prejudicially affect tlie desired increase in licenses. It only confirms my opinion that- the veil of secrecy over the operations of the Broadcasting Company is having a very bad effect on the public, which is beginning to lose confidence in its administration. Though I do not know the particulars of what- caused tlie resignation, I can only express the hope that the Broadcasting Company will be willing to give the executive of the Listeners’ League an early chance of meeting its representative and discussing the whole position from the listeners’ viewpoint.” Mr Trevor Stringer, secretary of tlie league, was equally emphatic. “It appeals to me,” he said, “that if the company had deliberately laid itself out to alienate the sympathy of listeners it could not have chosen a better method than the acceptance of Mr Prentice’s resignation. His departure will be nothing less than a calamity in radio circles.”

Speaking as a listener with experience, both in Britain and in the Dominion, Mr H. Xinnis declared that the loss of Mr .Prentice would be disastrous to Auckland broadcasting. New Zealand was at least two years behind the rest of the Empire in radio development, and Mr Prentice was the only man in the Dominion capable of overtaking that handicap. “There is something radically wrong with broadcasting control in New Zealand,” he said, “and it is imperative that tlie whole subject should have the fullest investigation.”