RADIO CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22461, 3 July 1936, Page 12

RADIO CONTROL

THE B STATIONS

GOVERNMENT'S OBJECT

PURCHASE OR SUBSIDY

[by telegraph—

—HtKHS ASSOCIATION]

WELLINGTON. Thursday

A declaration that the Government's object was to assume control of all B class stations was made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, to-day, speaking as the .Minister of Broadcasting. Mr. Savage added that there was no intention 011 tho part of the Government to inflict any injustice upon the owners of tho stations, and it was tho Government's desire to do the fair thing by the owners

Mr. Savage made it clear he would have no objection . to resorting to arbitration in tho event of the price fixed by the Government valuers not being acceptable to tho sellers, but he pointed out that in the event of arbitration he would brook no delay. It was tho intention of the Government to meet owners of B stations with a view to making satisfactory arrangements. "We must have a valuation of tho plant," said Mr. Savage, "but in addition to that wo must also have a valuation of the service which the stations give.

"Wo have no intention of being mean or doing an injustice. At the same time wc cannot be over-generous with other people's money. If a station objects to the Government purchasing it, then all the facts will be taken into consideration in arranging tho subsidy to be paid." Mr. Savage said the reason for wanting to take over all stations was the Government's desire to have the whole of tho broadcasting services of New Zealand nationalised. "We want to purchase all the B stations if we can," ho added, "but we don t want to force them into that position. If they don't want to sell A they will be subsidised for the service they give."