OFFER MADE FOR 4ZP

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 4

OFFER MADE FOR 4ZP

STATE PURCHASE PROPOSED

NO DECISION REACHED BY OWNER The owner of the Southland broadcasting station, 4ZP (Mr R. T. Parsons) has received an offer from the Government for the purchase of the station, but when interviewed by The Southland Times yesterday he stated that the offer was under consideration and he was not yet in a position to state whether it would be accepted. In accordance with the policy outlined last year by the Minister in charge of Broadcasting (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) officers of rhe department made a visit to Invercargill about six months ago to make a valuation of the station. The offer to purchase was received about a week ago, and the owner was requested to advise his decision within a fortnight. Offers were recently made to purchase the three Dunedin B class stations, but the owners considered that the offers were too low and have stated their intention of refusing to sell. The owner of 4ZP is not at present prepared to comment on the position as it affects his station.

Mr Parsons has operated the Southland radio service for seven years, the first transmitter having been first heard on the air at the beginning of 1930. Since that date two new transmitters have been put on the air, the plant having been improved and strengthened to supply a service to the entire province. The station has been operated in conjunction with the Southland Radio Club, during the greater part of the period.