THE “FRIENDLY ROAD”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22903, 10 June 1936, Page 10

THE “FRIENDLY ROAD”

JAMMING INCIDENT RECALLED

INSPECTOR TAKES INITIATIVE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, June 9. Reference to the jamming of the “ Friendly Road ” radio station at Auckland during the general election campaign was made by the former Post-master-general, Mr A. Hamilton (Opposition, Wallace), when speaking in the second reading debate on the Broadcasting Bill in the House of Representatives to-night. Mr Hamilton explained that his instructions were that if the station broke the regulations it was to bo put off the air by the cancellation of its licence, but this course had not been followed by an inspector, who had adopted his own methods of dealing with the situation. The station commenced to break the regulations and although it was warned it "took no heed, Mr Hamilton said. On an occasion previous to the present one it was closed down for a few days. “ I anticipated there might be trouble during the election campaign, and gave instructions that if the station broadcast material of a political nature it was to be stopped,” Mr Hamilton said. “My instructions were that if the station broke the regulations badly it was to be told its licence was cancelled and it was off the air.” The Minister of Transport (Mr K. Semple) : Why did you not do it aboveboard? „ Mr Hamilton: An inspecting olheci was asked to take notes if there were anv bad breaches of the regulations and if (here were to go round next morning and inform the station it was off the air. This officer adopted his own methods of dealin" with the situation and jammed the station. Mr Hamilton said he had given no instructions as to flic jamming. Apparently, when the station offended the inspector had decided on his own line of action. “I have to carry the main responsibility,” he said, "because the officer no doubt thought he was acting wisely.” Mr Semple: Will you justify the method adopted? Mr Hamilton: I am simply tolling my story ami what my instructions were. I think the incident had some effect on the elections. The attitude adopted by the station was a very unjust reward for the concessions it received from the previous Government.”