“PARTING OF WAYS.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 934, 2 December 1933, Page 9

“PARTING OF WAYS.”

Minister’s Declaration on Radio Policy.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 2.

A request that the Government should reconsider its policy regarding B class radio stations and that 2ZW, Wellington, should not be closed down, was made to the Postmaster-General (the Hon A. Hamilton) to-day by a deputation from the 2ZW Radio Listeners’ Club.

The Minister said that the Government had only one intention, that was to do the right thing for broadcasting in New Zealand. Listeners saw only one side of the picture and the public did not always know as much as responsible authorities knew. After all, broadcasting was a very technical service, and it might be easy to jam the air. There were already thirty-four stations in New Zealand, and it was possible that the B class stations might not be able to continue to give the service they had given in the past. The Broadcasting Board secured revenue from licensed listeners only, and a service was given which was second to none in the world.

“We want to lay the foundation of broadcasting in New Zealand correctly now,” he said. “We are coming to the parting of the ways, and I want your help as much as you want to help me.” He thought that broadcasting in Australia and America was out of hand, both as far as advertising and propaganda were concerned, and although he did not want the Government to be unpopular, it must do the right thing. He gave an undertaking that the deputation’s requests would be looked into. (Other references to broadcasting appear on Page 17.)