2ZR AND GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 April 1934, Page 4

2ZR AND GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY

DISAPPOINTMENT AT MINISTER’S REPLY CITY COUNCIL RENEWS ITS ASSISTANCE When an application by the 2ZR Radio Club for a continuance of subsidy came before last night’s meeting of the Nelson City Council the Mayor (Mr yv. JMoffatt) commented' that the club’s application for a Government subsidy, had practically been refused "in a recent reply received from the Minister. “It is a matter of great disappointment that that should be the case, and in view of the good service rendered by station 2ZR I consider the council should continue its assistance, but at the same time trusting that the effort being made for a subsidy from the Government will be continued.” Continuing, the Mayor said he hoped the further effort of the club would have the backing of ail citizens, not on account of the council’s subsidy, but oil account of the justice of 2ZR’s case. He moved that the subscription be continued. Councillor F. W. Huggins: “I think it is perfectly scandalous that after the Postmaster-General’s remarks in this room that the application should be refused.” He pointed out that there were at least 1000 radio sets in Nelson alone, which would give the Broadcasting Board a revenue of £ISOO per year, and yet a £3OO subsidy had been turned down. “As a general rule it is impossible to listen to any stations outside Nelson at night, and it seems dishoneston the part of the board to take that amount of revenue and give so little in return.” The subsidy was granted for a further six months. ' .

At 10 p.m. the council adjourned to the Mayor’s room to hear the broadcast of Mr Bernard Shaw’s speech from Wellington, and throughout members had difficulty in listening owing to the constant background of static, and on several occasions fading made Mr Shaw's voice inaudible. Several councillors commented that that broadcast alone offered a good case for a subsidy. One member commented that lie wished the board’s engineer who is to report on reception in Nelson had been present that night.