RADIO LISTENERS MEET.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19141, 26 October 1927, Page 10

RADIO LISTENERS MEET.

STANDARD OF PROGRAMMES. COMMITTEE TO BE FORMED. "The present, standard of broadcast programmes from SYA" was the subject discussed at a meeting of wireless listeners-in held last evening. There was an attendance of about seventy, including representatives of the New Zealand Broadcasting Co., Ltd. Mr K. M. Gresson presided. The chairman stated.that the meeting had been called to give the listeners of Christehurch the opportunity of discussing the programmes as at present broadcast. The listeners-in in Canterbury had not made it possible for the League to make representations in detail to the Broadcasting Company. There were two things niucli to be desired—a better understanding by the company of the listeners' needs, and a better understanding by listeners of the company's difficulties. He considered that the listeners should be taken into the company's confidence as to the programmes that were to be broadcast. The payments that they made were almost a taxation which entitled them to representation. Mr J. Laurenson stated that he was one of those who were known as "the despised performers." They had been severely criticised by anonymous letters in the newspapers. This criticism had always hampered them. He asked listeners to give the performers a fair deal. The Broadcasting Company had done its level best to please everybody. The only suggestion he had to make was that the company broadcast a more varied programme. Mr D. C. Cosgrove:. I think that what is required is a greater variety in the programmes. The standard of the performances has been high. . perhaps too high. People do not want to be educated, but entertained. What is wanted is first-class performers. A member stated that there had been complaints about the programmes, but no suggestions for their betterment had been offered. If the Broadcasting Company were the wealthiest firm in New Zealand, it could not please everybody.

, Mr'E. W. Walker moved: "That -the New Zealand Broadcasting Company, Ltd., be approached with the request that a'Programme Committee he established on which the listeners would have representation." In seconding the motion, Mr Laurenson stated that he considered it to be a wise move. It would help to settle the grievances for all time. Mr M. Morrison: A more thorough examination of artists is needed before they are allowed to perform. I would like to know what method the company adopts. A discussion then arose as to the quality of the programmes. It was alleged that they were "too highbrow," and not varied sufficiently to suit all tastes. It was suggested that 2YA should broadcast the higher class programmes, while the local stations broadcast "lowbrow" programmes. Mr R. Harris, manager of the New Zealand Broadcasting Co., Ltd., stated that the company would be only too glad to work in conjunction with a representative of the listeners,' but he would have to be a true representative of the majority of the listeners. He referred to the arrangements that had been made at the other stations to ensure varied programmes. It had been decided at Wellington to arrange a programme each night that would suit a certain type of person.. The motion was carried. The chairman stated that it was a question as to how they were to stir the 5000 or 6000 Canterbury listeners so as to choose someone who would represent the majprity of the listeners. It would be a big'task. Mr E. L. McKeowu stated that he considered that they w<j>uld be justified in asking the. company to secure the best artists possible in the different eentres. The compapy could not hope to give satisfaction 1 to listeners if it engaged the cheapest class of artist. The leading artists were conspicuous for their absence. He would like to know, if that was because: of lack of finance. They had good artists in Christchurch, but. they were seldom heard. Those artists refused to perform because of the small sums that were offered. The discussion was continued for some time, but no other resolution was carried.