FLAT DENIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1928, Page 3

FLAT DENIAL

PRIME MINISTER AND AIR GOODFELLOW.

AUCKLAND, Oct. 27

Air Coates, at Helensville last night, denied the allegation made in Air H. E. Holland’s speech in Wellington on Thur-dav that there was some connection between the abandonment of absolute dairy control, an article published by Air William Goodfellow ill the “Exporter” and the loan made by the Post Office to the New Zealand Aadio Broadcasting Company. Air Coates quoted the replies lie had received from Air Goodfellow and Air Al’Namara, Secretary of Post and Telegraphs, on the subject and concluded : “So that wonderful bombshell has fizzled.” Air Good fellow’s reply was: “The original contract provided for four 500 watts broadcasting stations. Subsequently for State and military reasons tlie Postmaster-General requested the Broadcasting Company to erect one super-station in Wellington,, which, was agreed to, provided that the" Government arranged a loan to cover this additional capital expenditure. Air Holland’s reference that this financial issistance was in any way associated with dairy control is without the slightest foundation, and is nothing but grossly insulting political propaganda. .My statement.in the -‘Exporter’ of Alay 28th. 1927. blaming the Labour Party for the Hoard’s failure to establish the council system of election is strictly Oiroet. The Reform Party were In no way responsible for the failure of hsolute control.”

Air M’Namara’s rep’v was as follows: “'Pile ‘Dominion’ report states that the Leader of the Opposition referred to an article signed Air “Good•fellow, in Alay, 1927, for the ‘Exporter.’ The first application for a loan from the Broadcasting Company is dated October sth. 1926. An agreement was completed on-December 16th, J. 926, hut the money was not paid over till June -20th. 1927, the company not having ordered the material from England until the loan was assured. It is not generally known that the Department collects during April in each year the total amount for licenses for twelve months and pays to the Broadcasting Company only one twelfth of its share per month. At the time the application was made tiic Department held in trust for the com pany £5943; at the time the loan was actually made the amount held was £21,234 and at the present time the Department is holding £24,244 so that, apart from the mortgage on the station, the Department is actually holding that amount of money payable by monthly instalments to the company.”

MR. HOLLAND RETURNS TO THE: ATTACK.

NEW PLYMOUTH. Oct. 28. Addressing a crowded and attentive aud'ence on Saturday night. Air Holland returned to his attack on Mr Go'd f el , ow and Air Coates regarding the aMeged alteration of an article written by Air Goodfellow for the “Exp rter,” at first charging the Government with the responsibility for the huge losses incurred by the producers >n connection with dairy control, but when it appeared in print placing the blame at the Labour Party’s door. Air Holland said Ire could understand Air Goodfellow’s explanation, also Air Coates’s in this connection, and in regard to- the Labour leader’s charges that the loan to the broadcasting company had some connection with the “Exporter” article. Air Holland said it might he, he hoped it would not, that the United Party would hold the balance of power in the next Parliament. Tll vieiv. of that possibility he called upon Sir -Joseph AVard to state