SILENCING THE “B” STATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 21 June 1937, Page 8

SILENCING THE “B” STATIONS

GOVERNMENT DEFAULT ON PLEDGE "The denial of the Hon. P. Fraser that the Government is defaulting from its preelection pledges m regard to 'IT stations is not at all convincing,” is the opinion expressed m a statement issued by the National Party. “ ‘We want to guarantee freedom of expression,' is what the Min ister is reported to have said, -while at tlie same tune tile Acting-Minister ol l.iroadeasting (rlon. F. Jones) has refused that freedom. The action of Mr Jones is evidently the beginning of a censorship to 'prevent any criticism of the Government being sent out over the air; thus effectively silencing any reply to the Government propaganda which is being broadcast on Sunday nights by a Government ollicial.

"Mr Fraser says that the Government will not compel , the ‘l3’ stations to sell, but lie carefudy avoids giving any guarantee that in the event ol their refusal they v .11 be given a license to carry oil, The slime attitude is taken by the Mil) ister of Transport when he says no compulsion will be used in regard to the sale 01. certain services, but 'lie cannot say whether the licensing authorities will re. new the licenses of those who refuse.’

"The attempt on the pint of the present Government to gain control of all radio stations is a vicious one, more especially as it has already been demonstrated that one particular Government station is disseminating thinly disguised Socialist propaganda as part of its regular functions. There is no opportunity for auti-fSoeialists. to reply except through I lie 'll' stations, and the- Minister ol iJioadeustiug -(in one of the few statements he has made since the Rev. Mr oenmgeour rcthculcd one of tils former ones) says that anything critical ol the Government is to he subject to the cell sci.ship of flu: Director of Broadcasting. The Director of Broadcasting is a Government ollicial, w.lio apparently has not the same freedom of action us his rev. colleague in charge of commercial broadcasting and the Ministers decision is placing him in an invidious position.

"Mr Fraser and Mr Jones have also given the impression that all the ’IT sta lions are’ willing to sell to the Government if they cnii obtain a suflicieiitly liign price. This is an unworthy suggestion, winch indicates'that the Government is hard [ml to justify its dictatorial attitude in (Ins matter.

■ "Some of the 'IT .stations have express ed their willingness to sell it is true, nut others again have declined to sell on any Lends and it is simply the desire on their part lo preserve their liberty that has let them to make the protest which s strongly supported iiiroughout the couuU 'J’'.Mr Tlasers assertion that some l> stations are endeavouring to build up a ramp so that they can get an unduly high price is as ungenerous as it is m correct, and will deceive no one. “The whole business shows that those who believe in individual liberty, ol ac lion and the free expression of opinion fundamentals of true democracy —can hope for nothing from the present Administration.’''