“Meditation Music”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31120, 25 July 1966, Page 12

“Meditation Music”

Sir,—On the same day that my protest against the abolition of meditation music was printed, this announcement was made after the late N.Z.B.C. news: "The National Programme of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation has ended for today.” Then •followed the National Anthem. In replying that “. . . there is no longer a daily close down. The National Anthem has been retained in its established place,” Mr K. M. Hay (district manager) is merely playing with words. If the programme has not ended for the day, why is the National Anthem broadcast? And since the National Anthem is retained. why has “meditation music’'* (which takes scarcely more time) been abolished? What, then, is the real reason? Perhaps one need look no further than three recent appointees to the corporation, two Of whom were reported showing a preference for pop “music” and the third admitting listening to radio only for sports commentaries and news.—Yours, etc.. DISGUSTED LISTENER. July 18, 1966.. [The district manager of the N.Z.B.C. (Mr K. M. Hay) replies: “There is no inconsistency. The National Programme ends, and the anthem is played. Then another programme takes over. As there Is no close-down, there is no longer the same opportunity or occasion to broadcast meditation music.”]