OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22509, 17 September 1938, Page 12

OVER THE AIR

WHITHER RADIO ?

TBy LISTENER] A few days ago a kindly inquirer was speaking to me about this column.

"I wpuld not care to be you having to write that stuff from week to week," he said. "Surely it must be like working one of those old prison treadmills." Of course, in loyalty to my craft, I denied that strenuously, and I felt I was right in doing so. x A treadmill gets the compulsorily industrious one nowhere, but in work of this kind compensating results of various kinds do come. Notes arrive from people who give a kindly pat on the back, a helpful piece of criticism, or a serviceable suggestion well worth discussion. Arid' there "are little experiences which either delight- or appal. One such came my way this week, and I think it is Worth recording because I give an assurance that it is true. .Fate brought across my path ,a young person (feminine gender) aged 18 years. I know she is a radio "fan," although her preference is certainly not for the national stations. Casually, and with an uneasy gesture, she lifted up a newspaper and gazed at a picture of Herr Hitler;

"Who is Hitler?" she asked. "Haven't you any idea who Hitler is?" I said.

"No," she replied. "Have you ever heard of Mussolini, then?" I asked. "Yes, he's an American, isn't he?" was the reply. After two broadsides like that a little simple instruction was called for, I thought. That girl, I discovered, had not listened to one of -the National Broadcasting Service stations. She Was all for the other variety, and on the authority of her family she accepted the national.stations as not being worth her attention. The position, as I see it now, is really much worse than I imagined and it Drovokes thought about the direction in" which New Zealand radio is headed.

At the beginning I mentioned the fact that I get letters from correspondents who are kind enough to offer criticism and suggestions, but it is curious how little fetishes are mentionei rather than broad manciples.. Somebody does not like a certain announcer, and it is implied that if this unfortunate nerson were removed" 1 to the "mechanical department everything would be nerfect. Somebody else thinks that the dinner music 1 programme should be different, and ahother that we should have a more soothing accompaniment to our breakfast. Such criticism, concerning as it does slight incidentals, is not of much importance. The supreme-question is the direction: of. New Zealand radio and what its ultimate objectives are coing to be; It is evident that the National Broadcasting Service intends to the be.st of. its ability to give the listeners the entertainment they are entitled fo-exDect.. but at the same time there will be an effort made to make radio the agent of (one rather dislikes the word) culture, too.

Training a Public

The Conservatorium of Music and the spoken arts may for the present be taken as a symbol of the aspirations of the National Broadcasting Service. Not only will it provide facilities for producing New Zealand's own musicians, but its existence, when it comes into being, would have to be based on the assumption that there would be something like a general demand for the music and drama that these hometrained artists could provide. This can .only mean .that much earnest preparatory work must be done, and the National- Broadcasting Service will be assuming a twofold responsibility of training artists and public alike. It seems safe to say that this one of the country's greatest radio objectives and it should be encouraged within reason. The only worry-ing-point,is .how .far, the funds provided by the listening public, and put into cold" storage:. by the National ; Service, should be utilised for educational purposes.

If the money.is to be so used; if there is a steadfast determination to use it" in' this way, another important question, arises. Even if the conservatorium were established tomorrow ,<one can" overlook the Sabbath breach) it would be several years before noticeable results could be obtained. A correspondent in "The Press" last month, however, submitted a suggestion meriting consideration while we are on this point. "•I think we are all agreed," he said, "that the establishment of a conservatorium in New' Zealand is highly -desirable: but if the National Broadcasting Service proceeds with its: scheme in such a very leisurely fashion as "it does at present, how many years will it be before the community receives any benefit? I make the bold suggestion that progress towards the desired end might well be speeded up if some of the. huge accumulated funds were used now to make grants to schools for establishing Orchestras and choirs and generally promoting musical activity in the young people." ' Although the idea of musical education of the young is good. I canriot agree that funds provided by the Dominion's listeners should be utilised for the purpose. That, of course, makes me an opponent of the conservatorium on its present I must say that ;even now there is need for educa T tion of the radio public. Some months ago an experiment was made among the school children of Wellington which should be repeated in other ciehtres. Orchestral concerts were given the children were, not oilly. told about the 'music played, hut also the function of the various instruments was/explained to them. Music is not something for the chosen few; for people who wear their hair long and have a biding place in another world. Music, to put it in a blunt utilitarian way, provides a first-rate diversion for normal people. In this country a general appetite" for music is not developed, but if the will of the National Broadcasting Service prevails, a blessed dav is coming when it will be. .There is no reason why Germans should care for music and New Zealariders- should not.'■".; One aim. the'*; of the Dominion's enlightened ;,radio authorities is to make the country more conscious as a whole of the. finer things of life. They deserve support in this effort.

»YA,. CHRISTCHURCH f 720 Kilocycles)

2YA, WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles)

Serial Novels

f Theattemptto lead the public on if shown in other ways than in

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

BROADCASTING

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMMES

IYA. AUCKLAND * (650 Kilocycles)

music. In the coming week two of the national stations are to begin the broadcast of serial versions of novels by Charles DkTkehs. On Thursday 3YL is starting with "Nicholas Nickleby," and on Saturday next IYX has "Dombey . and Son," Everything will depend upon the form these serials take. One can only hope they are hot quite so "dramatic" as the "Westward Ho" serial, which I found far too noisy and woefully imperfect in other ways.Probably . such production may provide entertainment, for the public, but I doubt whether they can possess anything like the value of readings such as we. are having now from Professor Adams, Mr Simmance, and Mr Singer, of Auckland. Such readings give pleasure in themselves. But I feel, too, that they must probably turn readers to the books. On the whole, though, the serial idea in radio does not seem very satisfactory. So far I have had no reports, but I -should like to know what the normal reaction is to Mr Simmarce's reading of "Northanger Abbey." However, the Doint abundantly clear -is that the National Broadcasting Service is aiming to improve, and entertain at the same time. That is;the direction of the radio wind,, and if I were a radio dictator I think I. should court unpopularity and make some people submit to specified courses of listening. That girl mentioned earlier would be one of my victims.

7.0 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0:-Re-cordings.. 10.30: Devotional, service. 10 45: Recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music: 1.0 p.m.: Week-end weather report. 2.0: Recordings. 2.45. (approx.).•Commentary on representative Rugby fixture, Canterbury v. Buller, at. Lancaster-Park. 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour (Children's organiser). 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: Government and overseas news' (from 2YA). 7.10 (approx.): News. .8.0: Chimes. "Homestead on the Rise." 8.15: (R) "The Fourth Form at St. Percy's." episode 2L 8.28: (R) Reginald Dixon (organist), "Passing of the Regiments." 8.35: (R) "Coronets of England: Queen Elizabeth." episode 21. 9.0: . Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Old-time dance programme to music by Hughie Evans's Dance Band (from St. John Ambulance Hall). 10.0: Sports summary. 10.15: Old-time dance programme (continued).

3YL, CHRISTCHURCH (1200 Kilocycles) 2.45 p.m.: Recordings'. 510: Recordings. 7.0: After-dinner* music. • 8.0: Symphonic programme. 10.0: Favourite entertainers.

2.0 p.m.: Recordings. 3.15 and 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children's session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: Government and .overseas news (from 2YA). 7.10 (approx.): News. 8.0: Concert programme. (R), Orchestre Symphonique. "Bourree Faritasque" (Chabrier). 8.0: (R) Rotorua Maori Choir, "Nga- Hihi o 'te Ra:" "Pikiatu" (Maori love ditties). (R) Te Mauri Meihana (soprano), "Karo" (poi song): (.R) -Anna Hato- and Deane Waretini (duet).. "Hoea Ra;". VTaht, Nei Taru Kino" (.arr. Piripata). (R) Rotorua Maori. Choir;, "Haete Mai te Arawa—e Rere;" "Te Kaahu." . 8.21: Harold Baxter (viola), ■ "Reve. d'Enfant" (Sammons); Allegretto (Faure); Old Irish Air (Tertis). 8.32: Nellie Lingard (contralto), "The Dear Homeland" (Slaughter); ' "Soul of Mine" (Barnes); "In a Child's Small Hand" (Englehardt); "The Leaves and the Wind" (Leoni). 8.44: (R) Maurice Igpr and Nomad Orchestra, "Where the Woods are Green" (Brodzky). 8'.47: Thomas Magulre (tenor), "All in a Lily-White Gown" (Easthope Martin); "The Hills of Home" (Fox); "I Know a Lovely Garden" (d'Hardelot); "The Valley of Laughter" (Sanderson). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: (R) Carlos Santana's Accordion Band, "Somebody's Thinking of Ybu To-night" (Powell): "I Loye to Whistle" (Adamsoni. 9.11; International Four (vocal orchestra), "Some of These Days" (Brooks): "When Day is Done" (Katscher); "Riding to Glory on a Trumpet" (McCoy). 9.17: Brothers (Hawaiian instrumental trio), ."The Royal Hawaiian Hotel" (Noble); "Beautiful Ohio" (Earl); "Orange Grove in California" (Berlin).■• 9.23:. (R) Heather Thatcher, 'Leslie Henson .and Company (sketch), "A Warm Corner" (Wimperis and Wylie). 9.29:, (R) Borrah Minevitch and. Harmonica Rascals "Limehouse Blues" (Brahm); "You Are My Lucky Star" (Brown). :9.35r International Four, "Chinatown, My Chinatown" (Schwartz); "Loveless Love" '(Handy);' "How'm I XJoin'" (Branch). 9.41: <R) Jay Wilbur (piano), with rhythm accompaniment, -"Melodies' of ,the Moment." 9.47: Elsie. -..Carlisle (light. ; vocal), "Elsie Carlisle Medley." 9.53: Ewing Brothers- (Hawaiian -instrumental trio), "Blue Rtver Train"' 1 (Rbbison); "Mele Hawaii" (Thompson);. "Hilo" March (Kane). lO'.O:' Sports./'summary." -.' 10.1:': Dance music.

2YC. WELLINGTON (840 Kilocycles)

4YA. DUNEDIN (790- Kilocycles)

SUNDAY

; 6.50 a.m.: - Weather report for • aviators. Motueka orehardists' forecast. 7.0.: Breakfast session. 10.0:' Weather report for aviators: .10.10: Devotional service.- 10.25: Recordings. 10.45: Talk to women (Margaret). 12 noon: X,unch •music. }:0 p.m.:

Weather report for aviators. -Week-end weather -report. Frost forecast for Canterbury and Otago. 2.0: Light music. 3.0; Running commentary- on representative Rugby match'. Wellington B v. Manawatu, at Athletic Park. 4.30: .Recordings. 5.0: Children's hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: Government and, overseas news. ,7.10 (approx.): News. - 8.0: Chimes. • Ringside descriptions of finals of the. New. Zealand Amateur Boxing ' Championships (from Opera House, Gisborne). 10.0 (approx.): Dance programme. ,

" 7.0 p.m.:" After-dinner music. 8.0: (R) Organ recital by G. D. Cunningham, City Organist. Birmingham. Assisting artist: Harold Williams (baritone). 8.35: Early English music 9.0: "Variety Show." by Reginald Dixon (organist). Gracie Fields in lighter vein, Leslie Hutchinson singing at piano. Flanagan and Allen (comedians), with Ambrose v and Orchestra. - . 10.0: In lighter vein.

2.0 p.m.: Recordings. 3.0: Running commentary on Rugby match, Otago y. Wellington,- at Carisbrook. 4.45 (approx.;: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: Government and overseas news (from 2YA). 7.10 (approx.): News.- 8.0: Chimes. Concert, by 4YA Concert Orchestra, conducted by Gil Dech. The Orchestra, "The Seven Seas" March (Coates); "Lulworth Cove" (Shadwell). 8.11: Grace Wilkinson (contralto), "Sleep" (Gurney); "Twelve Oxen" (Ireland). 8.17: The Orchestra, "A Trip to To v. Town" Suite: The Toy Train: Golliwog: Dollys Cradle Song; Dance, of the Jack-in-ther box (Ashley). 8.26;\ (R) Peter Dawson (bass baritone), "The Legion of the .Lost (Western): "Garden of Allah" (Marshall); "O Sing to Me an Irish Song" (Geehl). 8.36: The Orchestra, "Land Without Music" Selection (Strauss).. 8.45: Grace Wilkinson (contralto), "Sweet Chance That Led My Steps" (Head); "O Feast Of Lanterns" (Bantock). 8.51: The Orchestra, "On the Banks of Allan Water" (a paraphrase) (Jones);. "Falling Leaves" (Bowsher). .9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5. Ringside ' commentary on professional wrestling match at Town Hall. 10.0: (approx.): Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND . GSG, 16.86 metres; GSO, 19.76 metres; GSB. 31.55 metres; GSD, 25:53 metres. 5.30 p.m.: Big Ben. "Food for Thought." Three short talks on matters of topical interest. ' 5.50': "The Table Under the Tree." With 8.8. C. Theatre Orchestra. 6.35: International Sheep Dog Trials: Commentary by J. Valentine Allen from Municipal Golf Course, Southport. 6.50: "Haunting Harmonies," with Eddie Palmer and Tommy Harris at two pianos. ■ 7.10: "London Log." 7.20: The news .and announcements. 7.45: Close down.

3YA, CHRISTCHURCH 9.0 a.m.: Recordings. -11.0: Mbrning •service from St. John's Anglican Church. Preacher: Rev. L. Richards. Organist and choirmaster: Mr Claude H. Davies. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music 2.0: Recordings. 3.0: Group" of songs by Yrjo. Kilpirien. (Born Finland, 1892.) Sung by Gehard Husch. 3.17: Recordings. 5.30: Children's sorg service (Father Maguire and children of the Mission Convent High School). 6.15: Recordings. 7.0: Evening service from Christchurch Roman Catholic Cathedral. Preacher: Rt. Rev. Bishop Brodie. Organist: Miss Kathleen O'Connor. Choir conductor: Miss : Mary O'Connor. .8.15: Recordings. 8.30: (R), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. "The Secret Marriage" Overture (Cimarosa). 8.36: Harold Prescott (tenor), (a) "The Majesty of Divine Humiliation" (Stainer); (b) "Hark, What I Tell to Thee (Hadyn): (c) "Where'er You Walk" (Handel). 8.47: (R) London Symphony Orchestra, "Eight ■ Russian Fairy Tales"-(Liadoff). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. -9.5: Concert programme (see IYA). 9.45: (R) Arthur de Greet (pianoforte) and London Symphony Orchestra; Concerto No. 2 in A Major (Liszt). 3YL, CHRISTCHURCH 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30: Britelodia. 8.38: Gray's Elegy. 8.47: Wilfred Wordsen (boy pianist). 8.57: Marie Bremner (soprano). 9.5: Albert Sandler and Orchestra. 9.10: Further Adventures of The Three Musketeers. 9.30: The Arcadians (Overture). 9.36: The Swallows (Waltz). 9.42: With the Organ. 9.48: Richaud Tauber in two ballads. 9.54: Walter String Players. IYA, AUCKLAND 3.30 p.m.: "La Boutique Fantasque" (Rossini, Respighi). 3.56:- Recordings. 6.0: Children's song service. 710: Evening service- from the Beresford Street Congregational Church. Preacher: - Rev. "A. C. Nelson. Organist: Mr George E. Wilson. 8.15 (approx.): Recordings. B.3o:;Recorded concert.- programme. E.T.A.R.; Symphony Orchestra, Turin, "Tancredi". Overture (Rossini). ; 8.38: - Karl Schmitt-Walter (baritone) with Chorus and Orchestra, ' Beneaath Italian Skies" Potpourri. 8.46: J;: - H. ■" Squire Celeste Trio, "Narcissus" (Nevin, Squire). J. H. Squire Celeste Octet, "If My Songs'were-only Winged" (Hahn). 8.52: Webster Booth, Dorothy Clarke, and Foster Richardson,. "Songs that Have Sold-a Million." 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Orchestra of the German Opera Houses, Berlin, "Johann Strauss Operettas" Potpourri (arr. Schogel). 9.21: Essie Ackland (contralto) with organ accompaniment; "The Great Awakening".(K-ramer);."A Summer Night" (Goring Thomas). 9.29: Otto Dobrindt Orchestra, "Capri" (Crayssac);. "The Cathedral Chimes" (Becker). 9.35: Emmy Betten,dorf ■ (soprano) with • Chorus 'and Orchestra, "Songs of Spring" (arr. "Lihdstrom). 9.41,: State Opera. Orchestra, "Mignon" Memories (Thomas.* Urbach). 9.49: Paul Robeson (bass), "Piccaninny Shoes" (Blake),-. ■ 9.52: Andre Kostelanetz presents "Revenge " with Music." • • 2YA, WELLINGTON 9.0 a.m..-'.Recordings. •'10.0: .Weather port' for aviators. 11.0: Morning service from St. Andrew's. Presbyterian Church. Preacher: Rev. Brian Kilroy. Organist and choirmaster: Mr -Frank Thomas. 1.0 p.m.: Weather report for aviators. Dinner , session. .2.0: "Modern Composers'' series: "Arnold Schonberg." Presentation of "Cturre-Lieder" (Part 1), Leopold Stokowski and Philadelphia Orchestra, with Paul Althouse (tenor),- Rose Bampton (contralto),' Jeanette Vreelarcd .(soprano). Annotation by. Stokowski." (Work will'be continued next Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.) 3.4: Recordings. 6.0: Children'ssong service. 7.0: Evening service from Vivian Street Baptist Church. Preacher: Rev. L. J. Boulton-Smith. . Organist, and acting-choirmaster: Mr Chas. Collins. 8.15 (approx.): Recordings. 8.30: Miscellaneous operatic programme. "2YA Concert Orchestra, conducted by Leon de Mauny; Overture, "Mirella" (Gounod). 8.38: Operatic recital by Margherita . Zelanda (coloratura soprano),- with' ,orchestral

accompaniment: Recit, "Quella Fonte," and aria, "Regnava Nel, Silenzio" (Donizetti); "In Quelle Trine Morbide" (Fuc-' cini); canzone,' "Saper Vorreste" (Verdi). 8.53: The Orchestra, "Mignoh"' Selection (Thomas). 9.0: Weather report and station notices.' 9.5:' 'Concert /.programme (see IYA). 9.45: The Orchestra, "Prelude Du ler, Acte, Air "Du Pete, Duo. et Finale," from v'Xouise" , (Oharpentier, arr. Casadesus). • " ■■'.'. ) ": : ZYC, WELLINGTON

6.0 p.m.: Recordings. B.3o:'Light recitals by Renara (pianist), . Big Four (Male Quartet), and Len Fillis (guitarist). 9.0: Sunday . night . band concert, featuring National. Military Band and Band .of H.M.

Royal Air Force. Assisting artists: Norman Allin (bass); and Hubert Eisdell (tenor) in solos and duets. \ . 4YA; -DUNEOTN ■2.30 p.m.: Artur and Karl tririch Schhabel (pianists), with London Symphony Orchestra, Mozart's Concerto in E Flat Major. 2.55: Recordings. 5.30: Children's song service. 6.15: Recordings. 6:30: Evening service from Methodist Central Mission. Preacher: Rev. L. B. Neale, 8.A., F.R.G.S. Choirmaster: Mr John T. Leech. Organist: Mr Frank Cawley. 7.45 (approx.): Recordings. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Concert programme (see IYA). 9.45: Miscellaneous operatic. recital. . _

MELHUISH and CO. Readjust your Radio In -'our own home, 3s 6d; Lyt-j telton, 5s 6d. Use 'Phone 41-508. 6541

NEW ZEALAND DX RADIO ASSN, | Inc. ';:^i . Christchurch Branch. : "A,'MEETING will be held in Bigg's ~ "*•*-- Buildings, on Tues., 20th Sept., at 7.30 p.m. The-Rev. Father Maguire will give a talk on his recent tour of ■"■>. the world. You are cordially invited to attend. Admission will be by silver coin. X9l9i