CHINESE POLITICS

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 4

CHINESE POLITICS

BROADCASTS OF PROPAGANDA As the New Zealand Labour Government has been claiming tho air per medium of the four main stations for the purpose of broadcasting political debates, the following _ from an English publication makes interesting reading for listeners hero:— People in this country who as a matter of principle are “ agin tho Government ” would certainly have something to bite upon if they lived in China, for it is reported that the Government there has just stepped in and commandeered the most popular evening broadcast hour for tho purposes of political propaganda. All stations, whether operated by Chinese or foreigners, are to set aside this hour every evening for an official spokesman who will discourse on topics chosen by the Nanking authorities. It is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good, however, and it is stated that wireless dealers have welcomed the Government action with open arms, since already a, great rush has commenced to purchase receivers capable of bringing in programmes from foreign countries.

STRAY SPARKS New Director to Tour. . The new director of broadcasting, Professor Shelley, is to make a tour of the stations before he takes up his new duties on December 1, according to a statement made in Wellington by Mr Savage. Professor Shelley states that he knows the difficulty of the job ho is , tackling, but ho intended to take a long-distance view of it and not rush into changes too rapidly. “ Life to me is a matter of growth, not a game of skittles,” he said. *•. # * Arthur Hefmsley’s Brother. Arthur Helmsley, the English comedian, who is in Dunedin at present under engagement to the National Broadcasting Service, is a brother of Harry Helmsley, the popular child impersonator, whose records arc frequently heard from the various broadcasting stations. Arthur Helmsley and his wife, ‘Elsa Brull, toured the Dominion on the Fuller circuit when vaudeville was in its heyday. * • * * French Pronunciation. Arrangements have been made for a series of six broadcast lessons on French pronunciation for the benefit of secondary pupils of the Education Department’s Correspondence School. Following are dates and times of the broadcasts: —2YA and IYA, 11.15 a.m. on Monday, September 28, October 5 and 12, and Wednesday, September 30, October 7 and 14. * * * • New Use for Ultra-short Waves. Ultra-short waves have found a new use in fhe Maine (U.S.A.) woods, where portable transceivers will be used in cases of persons becoming lost or where accidents happen in the remote places where woodsmen travel. * • * * 'American Advertising. Sydney Howard, the popular English comedian, who recently visited America, tells this story as an example of American radio advertising. He was resting in the hotel one afternoon, and his wife turned the wireless on. A quartet party were singing beautifully ‘ Far Above in Highest Heaven.’ They finished, and a raucous voice began: “It must bo very beautiful. . . . My firm has had the honour of officiating at over 40,000 burials iu South California alone. So why not make arrangements now? A post card to Blank, Morticians, will bring one of our representatives to your home.” This little speech was actually iollowed up by the playing of ‘ Wagon Wheels ’ and The Last Round-up.’ * * * * House-building Talks. In view of the activity in house building instigated by the Government, the recent series from 2YA on the subject of house building was specially appropriate. Tho idea, moreover, is calculated to interest newly-married couples or those on the verge of attaining that status. The last talk was given last Tuesday.