NO UNDERTAKING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 10 June 1936, Page 2

NO UNDERTAKING

NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO POSTMASTER-GENERAL CLEARS UP MATTER (From “The Mail's” Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, This Day. A denial that any arrangement had been made between the Press and the Government regarding radio advertising on the one hand and the publication of news by radio on the other was given by the Postmaster-General (the Hon. F. Jones), when replying to a question by the Rev. C. Carr (Government, Timaru) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Mr Carr asked whether station IZM, Manurewa, owned by New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd., had had its power increased above 100 watts by the previous Government, and, if so, was this in contravention of the regulations then in force and a breach of faith with other B stations? Was the past Government, when prohibiting advertising over the air, given a quid pro quo by the newspaper Press that Continental and American short-wave information would not be published? Replying, the Postmaster-General (the Hon. F. Jones) said:—

“In reply to the first part of the question, my inquiries show that in March, 1931, the licensee of the broadcasting station referred to by him was given authority to increase the power of his station from 10 watts output to 50 watts output. I find, however, that this authority was not availed of until March, 1934. “In regard to the second part of his question, no undertaking has ever been given by the newspapers that in return for the prohibition of advertising by radio they would refrain from copying and publishing news matter broadcast by overseas short-wave stations. The publication of such matter is specifically prohibited in the radio regulations. It will be apparent to the hon. gentleman that if newspapers were granted to insert news picked up from the air it would interfere seriously with our cable communications.” Mr W. J. Poison (National, Stratford): Another mare’s nest. Mr Carr: Sez you!