BANNED BROADCASTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 February 1939, Page 11

BANNED BROADCASTS

REINSTATEMENT DEMANDED. (By Telegranh—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 3. A motion asking for the reinstatement of Mr K. H. Melvin’s broadcasts on foreign affairs irom station IZB, which were recently banned, was carried unanimously by a public meeting which completely filled the Town Hall. The orderliness of proceedings was broken at one stage when a man who had been persistently interjecting from the gallery was counted out and then forcibly ejected by a self-appointed vigilance committee. Mr Melvin, who was received with loud applause, said there was no political motive whatever behind the meeting. He had read a statement made that morning by the Prime Minister giving the reasons for the ban.

“I have believed that representations by the German Consul did have somebearing on the ban,” he added. “I have stated those reasons. Now, however, Mr Savage assures us that these deductions are incorrect. I accept his assurance and do so gladly.” After discussing German and Italian radio propaganda and alleged attempts to control the French and British Press, Mr Melvin condemned the restrictions on Australian and New Zealand broadcasting as caused by a fear complex, quoting Mr H. G. Wells in support of his demand for complete freedom.