EDISON BROADCAST

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 121, 20 February 1928, Page 3

EDISON BROADCAST

FROM 2YA, WELLINGTON On Saturday evening broadcast listeners were afforded an opportunity of hearing an address by Thomas A. Edison, the famed American inventor, per medium of a special gramophone record. This was the method adopted bv the Radio Broadcasting Company of celebrating the eminent American’s 81st anniversary of his birthday. Mr. A R. Harris, general manager of the. Broadcasting Company, who was at one time associated with Mr. Edison in the latter’s laboratory, requested Air. Edison to send an address to the people of New Zealand in a gramophone record. This suggestion the inventor kindiv adopted, and on Saturday evening Mr. Edison’s speech was broadcast from 2YA, Wellington, as a feature of an appropriate programme specially arranged for the occasion. Despite his advanced years Mr. Edison’s voice was fairly clear, but to render his speech more certain of coherence it was recorded a second time by his son, Mr. Charles Edison, oy the other side of Hie record. This was the first occasion on which Mr. Thomas A. Edison has had his voice recorded bv gramophone for broadcasting. The great inventor spoke appreciatively of the wonderful development of New Zealand and- the fine work accomplished by the hardy British pioneers, who first settled in this country. He mentioned that by consulting the United States Government statistics that New Zealand has the highest export trade per capita of any country in the world, and he congratulated the people of New Zealand lor this fine achievement. Saturday evening’s piogramme comprised American items, the contributors being the First Battalion Band, the Wellington Orpheus Musical Society, Mr. Short, Miss Ava Symons, Mr.' Elhvood, Aliss Gretta Stark, the Melodie Four, Air. B. Hart, . Mr. B. Brown, Mr. V. Oswin and Miss Lily Mackie. A speech was delivered by Sir Frederick Chapman, president ot the English-speaking Union, _“A Eulogy of Thomas Edison, Hie Great Inventor,” and a response, was read, forwa.- cd by Mr. W". L. Lowrie, American Consul-General, who was unavoidably absent. At the conclusion of the programme prominent American _ fesidents joined in singing a series of old-time songs and choruses.