RADIO SERVICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23162, 7 October 1938, Page 13

RADIO SERVICES

NATIONAL PARTY PLANS

B STATIONS AND POLITICS

FUTURE OF PUBLIC WORKS

REPORTED FEARS ALLAYED [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] Thursday A statement that the National Party was opposed to the B broadcasting stations was denied by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, M.P., National candidate for Kaipara, when addressing electors at Tangowahine yesterday. He gave an assurance that these stations would bo allowed to continue provided they were not used for political propaganda. However, ho made it clear that if an effort was made to sandwich politics into the sessions then action Avould be taken.

A denial was also given by Mr. Coates to a suggestion that it was the intention of the National Party to ceaso the broadcasting of Parliament. Ho pointed out that the only alteration that was contemplated was the operating of a special broadcasting service from Parliament, so that there would be no interference with tho

national station programmes. He considered that people should have tha choice of either politics or entertainment from the national stations. • Mr. Coates also made reference to a reported fear that the National Party would immediately ceaso public works projects and that men would be put off. Ho said that it was unthinkable that 22,000 men now employed on public works would be suddenly thrown out of employment, but ho pointed out that the people had to come to tho conclusion that public works could not be permanent employment for the men. It was essential that the various works ho continued by the National Party, as so much money had been spent 111 the last three years that the works had to be finished.

Mr. Coates said that if there was a fall in prices it would not be possible to have high incomes, and that the only resources the Labour Government could call on to fill the gaps when prices fell were the peoples savings and the Dominion's credit. The fact that New Zealand exports were double, per head of the population, those of any other country showed that New Zealand "depended principally on its primary producers, and that the basis of New Zealand's revenue and prosperity depended solely on the prices our products realised overseas. He added that the tide of better prices commenced to rise in 1935 and thatHhe Labour Government had received the benefit of that change.

MR. SAVAGE PLEASED

RECEPTIONS IN SOUTH "DRAWING ROOM" MEETINGS CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS [by TELEGRAPH —OWN' correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday "I am quite confident we will have a greater majority in the next Parliament than we had in the last," declared the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, to-day on his return from a tour of the South Island. "No one can be a prophet, of course, but at the same time all the evidence points in that direction."- Ho described Mr. C. H. Weston, president of the New Zealand National Party as a super-optimist in forecasting that National candidates would be returned for not fewer than 49 seats. "They might have nine," said Mr. Savage, "but the 40 will be missing." Mr. Savage went on' to say that there was not a seat,at present occupied by a National candidate that looked anything like safe. "Start with the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, and follow them to the other end," he said, "and you will find that not one of them has a safe seat. The people are more enthusiastic about Labour than they have ever been. The old cry that we were not qualified to do the job is answered by results, and ' evidence of all 1 «ay is to he found in the way in which the people have acclaimed the Leader of the Government and Government ipembers everywhere. They are coming to us in greater numbers than ever."

The Prime Minister, referring to his Christchurch meeting in the King Edward Barracks, said no one had ever seen a meeting in Christchurch that approached it. There was seating accommodation for 4500. All those seats were occupied and there were more people standing than there were seated. "I seemed to be Bpeaking to aores of people," he said, "and they did not come to throw stones. It was just like addressing a meeting in a drawing room."

Mr. Savage spoke also of the receptions he had received at D'unedin, where people turned out in the rain to greet him, and at Invercargill. "My experience in Invercargill beats anything I have ever had," he said, "and I don't think Invercargill has seen anything quite like it. The police had the utmost difficulty in making an opening for me through the crowd."

EXCELLENT RECEPTION MR. A. S. BAILEY AT EPSOM CHEERS AND CONFIDENCE With scarcely an interruption, Mr. A. S. Bailey, National candidate for Roskill, was'given a most enthusiastic reception in tho Methodist Hall. Greenwood's Corner, last night, when lie addressed about 450 people. The hall was crowded 15 minutes before the meeting opened and when the candidate appeared he was greeted with loud applause. The chairman was Mr. C. M. McCullough. \ . Mr. Bailey said the restoration of confidence in industry and the development of co-operation among the .miiployer, the employee and tho Government were essential. References to tho leadership of Mr. Hamilton and the explanation of various points in the National policy were warmly applauded. Criticising the Government's social security scheme, Mr. Bailey said it was like many prospectuses that had boon brought to him at different times. In each case big profits had been held out, sufficient to have made him p millionaire. But by examining the schemes as a business man and declining to accept them he had saved himself from becoming a bankrupt. Referring to the plight of many returned soldiers, the candidate said they should bo given every possible consideration. The candidate was congratulated at the conclusion of his address upon refraining completely from personalities and misrepresentation. > thanks and confidence in Mr. Bailey was declared carried unanimously, in spite of an amendment expressing thanks but no confidence. The meeting closed with cheers for Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Bailey.