SOLD TO STATE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19377, 15 July 1937, Page 15

SOLD TO STATE

B RADIO STATIONS GISBORNE AND WAIROA SEVEN STILL UNCERTAIN STATEMENT BY MINISTER (Prr Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. Jones, states that the progress made in the negotiations for the purchase of private broadcasting stations has been very satisfactory. So far arrangements have been made for the purchase of the following stations: — IZM, Manurewa. 2YB, New Plymouth. 2ZD, Masterton. 2ZF, Palmerston North. 2ZH, Napier. 2ZJ, Gisborne. 2ZP, Wairoa. 2ZR, Nelson. 3ZR, Greymouth. 3ZM, Christchurch. 4ZL, Dunedin. 4ZO, Dunedin. 4ZP, Invercargill. .4ZR, Balclutha. This left a balance of seven stations yet to be dealt with. The holder of the license for IZJ, Auckland, has stated definitely that he does not desire to sell. The licensee of 4ZB, Dunedin, has expressed satistion with the price, but here again there is no desire to relinquish control. Since its establishment, however, this station has been managed and controlled by a body of amateurs who naturally are anxious to continue their operations, and the Government has no desire to prevent their so doing.

The Minister indicates that in regard to the remaining five stations it appears that the only stumbling block is the purchase prices. Correspondence is still being maintained with those stations —2ZL, Hastings; 2ZM, Gisborne; 2ZO, Palmerston North; 4ZM, Dunedin; and 4ZC, Cromwell. There is justification for believing that most of these stations are prepared to have the matter finally decided by arbitration, and that it was now only, a question or arranging an order of reference.

LOCAL STATION CARRYING ON MEANTIME When the proprietors of the Gisborne and Wairoa B radio stations', 2ZJ , and 2ZP respectively, were acquainted with the fact that the news of the completion of their sales had been received officially in Gisborne this afternoon they stated that as far as they were, aware they would be carrying on with their programmes as usual in the meantime and giving the same service. It is . possible that there may be an extension of the service later. It is understood that the Director of ’Broadcasting, Profesor J. Shelley, will be visiting the district at the end of the week.