RADIO SERIALS.

Evening Star, Issue 23687, 21 September 1940, Page 20

RADIO SERIALS.

TO TUE EDITOR. Sir,—A leader on the above subject in your issue of September 19 invites comment. Beginning at the end, it may bo assumed there is some lack of backbone in present-day parental authority in the control of their children. Comment from many sources, including some that must command respect, joins in declaring that there is widespread evidence of a lack of respect for higher ideals of life among the rising generation It may be true that parents who lack the backbone to take charge of the radio in their own homes are lacking in the qualities that mould a nation ; but the unfortunate position is that they are parents, and this fact cannot be altered. In these eircunir stances the Education Boards, whose duty it is to care for the general education of the young in its widest sense, are doing no more than their duty in protesting against undesirable elements in an educational agency which intrudes itself into the sanctity of children’s homes. Without doubt, the suggested censorship is called for to aid the efforts of earnest and wise parents in their endeavour to guide their children aright, but in the interests of the wellbeing of the coming generation there is even greater call for guarding the children who may bo found in homes where this desirable qualification is lacking. Again, it is difficult to follow the reasoning in the statement that “in spite of possible blemishes, the record of tlie national broadcasting stations in this particular matter is not a bad one, and criticism of some items which may bo termed ‘ wild and woolly ’ should be tempered by recognition of others that have merits.” Surely it is not meant that acknowleded lowering tendencies of some of the elements that are presented to children can be nullified by other elements that are free from this objection _ and also possess desirable qualities in other aspects.—l am, etc., D.B.F.