STATEMENT DENIED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 March 1943, Page 6

STATEMENT DENIED

SCRj.MGEOI’R INCIDENT CONDUCT AND CONTROL OF SERVICE. SUSPENSION DISCUSSED AT LABOUR CAUCUS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A denial that he was a party to a statement published yesterday afternoon that the Government had received “a satisfactory assurance from Mr C. G. Scrimgeour in regard to the future conduct, control and discipline of the National Commercial Broadcasting Service and that this had been accepted by the Government” was made last night by. Mr Scrimgeour in an interview. The statement also stated that it was probable that Mr Scrimgeour would resume his position as controller of the service under the conditions arranged. Mr Scrimgeour said he assumed that a statement would be issued by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. It is understood that the question of the controller’s suspension was discussed by the Government caucus yesterday. AN AUCKLAND DEMAND ATTITUDE OF RAILWAYMEN. (By Telegraph-Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 4. A resolution demanding the immediate reinstatement of Mr Scrimgeour and also his Man in the Street session was carried unanimously at a meeting of a thousand members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and the Tradesmen’s Association at the Railway Workshops. The resolution was prefaced by a statement that the meeting expressed its disgust “at the provocative and antiNew Zealand methods in dealing with the matter of the suspension.” The resolution added: “We consider that the action of Mr Wilson deals a smashing blow not only at the Labour movement in New Zealand but also at the unity and morale of the people at a time when the co-operation of all sections is needed for the war effort. We demand that the position of Minister of Broadcasting be placed in the hands of one less prone to personal prejudice and call on the New Zealand Labour movement to be vigilant and take steps to prevent a repetition of such tactics.” RESOLUTION OF PROTEST REINSTATEMENT REQUESTED. CHRISTCHURCH, March 4. The following resolution of protest at the suspension of Mr Scrimgeour was carried unanimously at a largelyattended meeting of the Addington branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants today: “This meeting strenuously protests against the suspension of the controller of commercial broadcasting by a Minister who was not even democratically elected by the people. Further, this meeting considers such . summary suspension for disciplinary reasons savours of victimisation and urges the Government immediately to reinstate Mr Scrimgeour to his former position, and, in the name of democracy, to replace in the Cabinet Mr Wilson by an elected representative of the people.” The following telegram from the Canterbury branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants was sent to the Prime Minister by the secretary, Mr A. B. Grant, today: “I am instructed by the Canterbury branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants that members object to the procedure adopted in the Scrimgeour appeal. They object to Mr Scrimgeour’s suspension and request his immediate reinstatement and an investigation. They urge that Mr Wilson be removed from office.” ’