STRONG PROTEST

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32309, 6 September 1943, Page 5

STRONG PROTEST

EXCLUSION FROM AIR REAL DEMOCRACY GROUP PROVISION FOR ARMED FORCES Following is the text of a communication sent to the Prime Minister by Mr R. G. Young, a candidate for the Hauraki electorate and North Island secretary to the Real Democracy Movement: —“We emphatically protest against the decision of the Government to exclude the Real Democracy movement Group from thb air.” In announcing that 11 broadcasts would be allocated to Government speakers and 11 to anti-Government parties and Independents (National and Democratic Labour Parties, Group Independents and Independents), Mr Fraser had stated that it was quite impossible to grant broadcasts to all the parties and groups and expressed regret that he was unable to extend such provision to Mr Young’s organisation.

Mr Fraser added that arrangements were being made in the Middle East and Fiji for election matter to be published to members of the armed forces. Twenty columns would be available in special election issues of the N.Z.E.F. Times and Kiwi respectively, to be allocated as follows: — Government, 7; National, 6; Democratic Labour, 3; Independents, 4. Mr Young was informed that if he communicated with the chief electoral officer a fair proportion of the four columns at the disposal of Independent candidates would be made available. While in Paeroa on Friday, Mr Young advised a Gazette representative that he had that morning further telegraphed the Prime Minister as under:— “R.D.M. executive demand to know urgently just what arrangements are being made for a full national broadcast by a Real Democracy Group representative.”