PURCHASE OF B STATIONS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 79, 20 April 1937, Page 6

PURCHASE OF B STATIONS

Listeners-in Should Express Opinions REFERENDUM SUGGESTED The decision of the Government to make offers of straight-out purchase to licence holders of B radio stations was discussed at the meeting of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce last evening, when the opinion was expressed ' that, in view of the important issues involved in such an action, the opinions of the listeners-in should iirst be obtained. Further information is to be sought from the Government on the matter. The subject was raised by the president, Mr H. W. C. Baird, who was of the opinion that some expression of opinion should be voiced. "Are we all to listen-in to advertising stunts?" he asked. "Personally I think it would be a very retrograde step if we have to do that." Mr F. S. Budd: Perhaps Mr Scrimgeour migjht read . . ." the rest of his remarks were .lost in general laughter, Mr A. C. A. Hyde: I understand that a etraight-out offer has been made to the station holders. Mr W. A. Whitloek pointed out that the latest information was that the acceptance of * otherwi^e of the offer did not necessarily mean closing down the statinn.

Mr Baird: But if they don't accept the offer they will be left "up in tbe air," as it 'were. Mr Whitloek:' They will have to depend on a subsidy fromi an unsympathetio Government. "But why should private enterprise he "stifled ih "this "way." said Mr Baird, who added that he was not keen on getting a lot of advertising matter pushed over.'the air. "The listening .public do not w'ant it, of that I am sufe," he declared. • Memhers agreed that the B stations in the Hawke's Bay district were well conducted, provided an excellent service and were sought after by the list-eners-in. "What's nnfair ahout the offer is that there' s no option," said Mr Baird. • Mr Hyde suggested that the matter could be referred to a special sub-com-mittee to consider. and take what action it thought best. "After all, as listeners-in ,we are the people who have to pay,"; said Mr Baird. "Why should we not have some say in what sort of service we are to enjoy. There should be a referendum taken on such a big question. "Are we to be dictated to?" he ask-. ed. "Why can't w© have the opportunity to express our opinions? We have topay." He suggested that representations be made for listeners-in and licCnceholders to be given further information before the stations were' taken over. Mr Hedley Harvey : And that the opportunity he given tc listeners-in to express their opinions. ; "That is so. We should know what we are going to get, seeing that we pay for it," said Mr Baird. It was, decided to make representations along these lines and that the support of the Member of the district, Mr E. L. Cullen, and that of the Associated Chambers of Commerce. b» sought.