2ZW RADIO STATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 18 September 1933, Page 7

2ZW RADIO STATION

PURCHASE BY GOVERNMENT STATEMENT FROM CLUB The chairman of the 2ZW Radio Club (Wellington) Mr R. R. Scott has made the following statement regarding the anxiety of the club over the future of the Wellington B class radio station which was purchased by the Government recently. “The executive of the 2ZW Radio Club desires listeners to understand tlie position of the club in connection with the purchase by the Government of Station 2ZW. “In the first place, the club teas not consulted by the Government as to the listeners’ wishes in this matter, although the club is composed of over 5600 listeners, each one of whom has shown his interest by subscribing cash. My executive is convinced that the station proprietors did not wish to sell the station, and that when approached by the Government to sell, the station proprietors entered into the contract of sale under circumstances which left them no option but to sell. “Previously the club had endeavoured to secure the continuation of the service by' requesting from the Government either a subsidy from licence fees or the right to use sponsored programmes of sufficient publicity value to enable the station to continue to give that service which has been so much appreciated in the past. “One of the new conditions is that sponsored programmes from this statio cease as from the 18tli instant. “The purchase having been concluded by the Post and Telegraph Department, the listeners being powerless to avert it, my committee views tlie future of tlie station with grave concern, as there is a danger of the station being shut down. We feel it the duty of the- club to leave no stone unturned to maintain and preserve the service with its individuality .apart from the national service, which makes the alternative value of 2ZW so much appreciated by the public. ‘The very object of the formation of the club was the retention of this class of alternative service, and the enthusiasm of the listeners in this regard is clearly indicated by the very large membership of the club and the manner in which officers have voluntarily given their time to the work. “Summed up, the greatest value of 2ZW is the originality in station organisation and preparation of programmes and in microphone freedom. The determination of the club is to retain the originality' which has made this station so valuable, to the extent of its being regarded as an indispensable part of radio entertainment. “I have already announced over the air that no subscriptions are being solicited at present; this matter is being held over until the annual meeting, which will be held in the course of tlie next few weeks.”