INTERRUPTED SPEECH

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20922, 29 September 1939, Page 9

INTERRUPTED SPEECH

RADIO FROM PARLIAMENT “BLACK-OUT” SUGGESTION (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Thursday A suggestion that the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Opposition—Kaipara) had | been “blacked-out” over the air when making a critical statement about the Government was made by Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition—Riccarton) during the debate on the Customs Acts Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives tonight. The statement was denied by the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, who said he had been informed that there was a momentary surge on the line while Mr Coates was speaking. Mr Kyle said that Mr Coates had been “blacked right out” over the radio just when he said that many people considered that it was a godsend to the Government when war came. About half a dozen telephone rings since received had confirmed the occurrence. As soon as Mr Fraser, wno followed Mr Coates, had started to speak, however, the radio was working all right again. ■ The acting-Minister of Broadcasting, the Hon. F. Jones: Do you suggest that it was deliberate? Mr Kyle: I am not suggesting anything, but I certainly thing the Minister in charge of broadcasting should look into it. Mr Fraser: It is all nonsense. This House is cn the air for every member and there is to be no interference with any member’s speech.