“Meditation Music”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31113, 16 July 1966, Page 14

“Meditation Music”

Sir, —On July 4, American Independence Day—the day British dissociation with the United States over the bombing in North Vietnam was reported. the day after the French atomic bomb explosion, the day of New Zealand’s renewed protest to France— l listeners heard at the end of the programme from station 3YA not the usual “meditation music” but the National Anthem. And so every night since. As far as I can remember (having listened to 3YA since it began, first of all using a galena crystal and “cat’s whisker” of brass wire) end-of-day music was always played. It is all too easy for the Broadcasting Corporation to destroy a long tradition which has provided a gracious note to end the day, especially after news so padded with boring sports results. The ratio of noise and demented commentaries to good music has so increased in recent years, I trust that “meditation music” will be restored without delay.—Yours, etc., DISGUSTED LISTENER. July 11, 1966. [Mr K. M. Hay, district manager of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, replies: “Meditation music was part of the close-down pattern for Station 3YA. Since July 4 the station has broadcast the all-night programme, and with this continuous transmission there is no longer a daily close down. The National Anthem has been retained in its established place.”]