OTAGO RADIO LISTENERS’ LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23945, 21 October 1939, Page 16

OTAGO RADIO LISTENERS’ LEAGUE

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—A condition of satisfaction Is always created when, In any public organisation, a successful Issue follows earnest and sympathetic endeavour to that end. When this result is achieved, and it is utilised apparently by a new incoming control authority, in the fashion of a financial "milch-cow” and a "political stalking-horse" then the position becomes somewhat intolerable. The particular league the control of which was “ collared ” by “ Labour " at the 1938 annual meeting, is a definite case in point. During the year 1937-38 the membership was raised from 100 to nearly 6000, and I venture to suggest that this marked increase was a strong “voice," expressing itself thus. Against the nonactiorf of the Minister of Broadcasting, along certain lines, in the interests of subscribers I have stated in your columns and I repeat that subscribers have not received that consideration to which they are justly entitled. In your columns of June 23 I developed the position, as it was at the end of "Labour’s” 12 months’ control, and indicated that information was being kept from members. I urged the new president (Mr Connolly, M.L.C.) to supply the missing financial information, but he has seen fit to ignore my suggestion totally. Some five weeks ago I addressed a letter direct to the league, again urging that this information should be given. I have had no acknowledgment of this letter, and the president has, apparently, taken no action though he returned to Dunedin from his parliamentary duties a fortnight ago. As I think I have given the league a fair chance, now I give members the figures and I leave the matter to their judgment. When I retired (March 31 last year) from the position of president we had a credit balance of £54 Is 6d after having started the year with a credit of Only £1 6s 3d. This credit of £54 Is 6d accrued after the league had paid £IBO for collecting (Labour) subscriptions. Now for the figures for “ Labours ” year ended March 31 last The credit balance, as shown in the annual report, was £55 14s lid, but the report totally ignored the credit balance of £54 Is 63 with which it commenced the year. The secretary’s honorarium, office expenses and general expenses (including £3 3s for audit, not one penny for outside districts development as there was in the previous year) have absorbed the large sum of £7B, or just within a few pounds of the total revenue (after allowing for canvassing Labour). In addition the administration costs, apart from canvassing fees paid out, were only slightly lower than those of the year ended March 31, 1938, though there were 2500 fewer paid-up mem-

bers. I regret to have to put the spotlight on these figures, but somebody, apparently, has to have backbone enough not to let the “Labour” administration “put it across" silently and unchallenged. The figures, I suggest, reveal a most unsatisfactory position and, the annual report having camouflaged the position and no statement having been forthcoming in response to my appeals, I feel I am justified, in view of the part I played in building up the league to a strong and healthy position, in submitting what I have written for the consideration of members of the league. Let me add that I wish members clearly to understand that there is no “political stunt ” at the back of this letter. I am dealing with the affairs of the league purely as they affect members of the league. I thank you very much for the space you have given me, Sir, as I hope I am finished with this matter.—l am, etc., W. X Bardsley, October 20.