CONTROL OF RADIO

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 169, 10 March 1932, Page 5

CONTROL OF RADIO

("Post" Special Commissioner)

PRICE TO BE PAID BY CROWN FOR COMPANY'S STATIONS .ARBITRATOR AWARDS £58,646

WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The sum of £58,646 is the amount the Government will pay the Radio Broadcasting Company for the stations taken over under the new system of control aeeording to a statement made to-day hy the Postmaster-Gen-eral, the Hon. A. Hamilton. The Minister stated that, in aecordance with the agreement made six years ago, the Post and Telegraph Department was required, in the event of the licence to the company not being renewed, to purehase the assets of the company.. Negotiations regarding the price to be paid commenced as soon as Parliament decided to create the Broadcasting Board but as an agreement could not be reached the matter was referred, in accordance with the provisions of the original agreement, to an arbitrator. Mr. Justice Blair was apjpointed the arbitrator and after an extensive hearing and an examination of the four stations, gave his award, which provided for the payment by the Cfown to the company of a sum of £58,646 6s 2d. "This liability," added._the Minister, "will now be taken over hy the Boardcasting Board, which will be respopsible for repaying the amount to the Crown under an agreement to he entered into between the board and the Government."