Radio is Voice of The People Says Mr G. F. Sim

Waikato Independent, Volume XLV, Issue 6234, 4 May 1949, Page 3

Radio is Voice of The People Says Mr G. F. Sim

"Radio is one of the modes of popular . expression, and is a means for freedom ( of speech,” said Mr G. F. Sim, National member for Waikato, at the official opening of radio station IYZ, Bay of Plenty, at Rotorua, last week, j “Just what that means, can, in a very practical way be gauged by the fact that on this occasion the representatives of both peoples, the Maori and European with the representatives of different schools of political thought, can, through the same medium, converse with a nation wide audience, i “Regarded in that way radio can be seen as the voice of democracy—the way of life that we not so very long ago fought to uphold and which we must now above all else preserve. “Today there are positive signs which suggest that those who earn titles as trouble makers are striving to uproot and destroy those great democratic institutions which are of the democracies — and by methods of their own to prevent dissension —until in the end they hope to gain ascendancy for a doctrine of their own;” added Mr Sim. “It calls for a realisation by the people to do more than heed the signs. It demands of them that they shall stand behind a government in the proper enforcement of the laws—enprovement without fear or favour —enforcement regardless of class or section, that, in short, laws which repose in thhe consideration ot public interest and which have been enacted in a democratic and constitutionally elected parliament, shall no longer be challenged or held in defiance by those who would seek to force their own way on the people and so destroy the Sovereignty of the peoples parliament. For it must happen in a democratic state that Parliament can never lose touch with the people and that the course of government must be finally determined by the people. Those, even if they be few in number, who would attempt to challenge that, rule of authority of govern; ment are in reality challenging the people and it is the great body of public opinion that must be against them. “To-day we honour one of the great institutions of democracy—the right and the freedom to converse to and with each other. In honouring such an occasion we can unite—just as we rallied not so many years ago—to preserve and uphold our cherished institutions and our beloved wav of life,” concluded Mr Sim.