BUSINESSMEN'S PROTEST

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 116, 2 June 1937, Page 7

BUSINESSMEN'S PROTEST

- lJre&a Aa^ociHtion.l

Bad for Government to Own Radio Station PALMERSTON N., This Day.

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j The Palmerston North Chamber of jCommerce last evening decided to gst jbehind the Mayor's (Mr. A. E. Mansford) efforts in the direction of persuading the Government to allow B radio stations to continue as kef°re and requesting protection in the matter of copyright fees for gramophone records. Plain speaking was indulged in by Mr. F. G. Opie, who declared that State control of anything was bad enpugh but State control of radio should be very gtrenuously opposed. Oue did not know when the Government would use the stations for propaganda and anything elso they might think of. Mr, J. A. Nash: They are using the stations for propaganda already. Mr. Opie: They should not own a single radio station in my opinion. It is contrary to the best principles to have a Government with a monopoly of radio. Mr, H. B. Free pointed out that if .the Government did not assist the B •Stations by paying the copyright fees, •the stations would go out automatically. Any resolution phssed by the chamber should ask for protection from the copy'right domands. The president (Mr. A. J. Graham) said there whs no doubt the B stations Were doing very valuable work. Mr. Opie moved the resolution to give the Mayor the Chamber 's support and 'Mr. H, B. Edmunds secobded.