DIFFERENCE EXPLAINED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3823, 21 June 1927, Page 7

DIFFERENCE EXPLAINED.

DINNER TO MR PRENTICE. AUCKLAND, June 14. At a social gathering in honour of Mr J. M. Prentice, held last evening, the radio dealers of Auckland expressed the hope that the differences between him and the Broadcasting Company of New Zealand would-be settled and his services retained. About 60 persons were present at the gathering, which was held in order to show the regret felt by radio dealers at M r Prentice’s resignation and to assure him of their goodwill. Mr B. Stephens, who presided, mentioned the stagnant condition of the trade in radio apparatus. A first step toward ending th© present broadcasting troubles was to reinstate Mr Prentice. An immediate result of what had happened was that the trade had fallen off by 50 to 75 per cent. Large numbers of orders had been cancelled, and other customers had deferred their decisions until the position became clearer.

Mr Prentice, in replying, said he spoke under a sense of restraint. He.had always hoped to be of service to radio in New Zealand, and he still hoped to serve it, even in the very face of his resignation. “I was prepared, and still am, to give of my very best,” he_ continued. Explaining that he did not wish to discuss his relations with the company, Mr Prentice appealed to. everybody to consider the broader issues at stake and to keep the whole matter, on the plane of principles, not personalities. Destructive criticism was useless, but constructive criticism was to be welcomed if it brought the company and himself together. Ho had been asked by many people whether he wished to leave New Zealand. Most emphatically he did not. j If there were any means of overcoming the difficulties they would not fail through any lack on his part, but he would not sacrifice the ideals with which ho had set out, nor would he allow his personality to -bo entirely suppressed. “Nothing sensational has happened,” continued Mr Prentice, “and I can assure you that nothing will. My resignation was purely voluntary, and it was accepted. I -put forward certain claims to which the company would not accede. I profcu"dly believe that the suggestions and claiuw, I made were distinctly in the interests of radio and of the Broadcasting Company. The company could not sec eye to eye with me, but presumably in that it was quite sincere.”-