Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 2 November 1925, page 9


BROADCASTING.

FROM TRADES HALL.

Opening by Mr. Willis.

MR. GARDEN'S PLANS.

"The main purpose of the station will be to educate and guide the workers to-wards the fulfilment of the common objec-tive of the workers the world over — the Socialist Commonwealth."

This announcement was made at the Trades Hall on Saturday by Mr. J. S. Garden, leader of the Communist party, and secretary of the Trades and Labour Council, at the official opening of 2KY — the new broadcasting station of the Labour Council.

The Government was represented by Mr. A. C. Willis, M.L.C., vice-president of the Legis-lative Council, who, in performing the open-ing ceremony, congratulated the promoters of the project.

Those present included Mr. Tom Walsh and prominent members of both the Australian Labour party and the Communist party.

Mr. Garden, who was given an enthusiastic reception, said that when "the Socialisation of the Commonwealth" had been brought about every man and woman would have the right to live and work, and to enjoy in common with the whole community the full product of their labour. "We shall have a Socialist Commonwealth," declared Mr. Garden, "where starvation, unemployment, and misery will dis-appear; where wars and rumours of war shall be no more; where the workers will work to produce goods for use, and not for profit." (Applause)

Mr. Garden added that 2KY was an Aus-tralian product, built by Australian engineers. All sections of the community would be al-lowed to ventilate their views in a dignified manner. The station would greatly assist to dissipate the "erroneous ideas promulgated by the Press."

Mr. Willis said that the development of wireless in Australia had been hampered by a Nationalist Federal Government, acting in concert with big vested monopolies. The Lab-our movement of New South Wales, by its far-sighted and vigorous action in establish-ing the station, had opened new possibilities in the use of radio broadcasting, which would be watched with interest by the Labour move-ment in every civilised country. The Go-vernment's plan for the establishment of a high-power central Government station, and the erection in provincial and country centres of a series of relay broadcasting stations was now in the final stages of completion. This plan, when completed, would not only facilitate the business of the State and the operation of its industries, but would do much to trans-form the whole social life of the community. Under the scheme Labour for the first time in its history would have an opportunity of put-ting its views and activities before the dwel-lers in country areas.

Mr. J. Beasley, president of the Trades and Labour Council, said that for years past the working-class had been grossly misrepresented through the channels of the anti-Labour Press. They had also found that the same practice had been indulged in by the controllers of other wireless stations. He considered that any advances made either in science, art, or invention should never be permitted to become

the properly of any privileged section.

On the three floors of the Trades Hall loud speakers were installed.