A Radio Weekly

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 6

A Radio Weekly

STATE PUBLICATION. CATERING FOR LISTENERS. WELLINGTON, Last Niglit. Tho radio listener, if the hopes of the Director of Broadcasting (Professor Janies Shelley) arc realised, will play an important part in the future of broadcasting development in New Zealand. Constructive criticism is sought by tho National Broadcasting Service, and the plans mentioned by Professor Shelley when ho spoke at the opening of the new 60-kilowatt transmitter at Titahi Bay last evening should bring radio lovers throughout the Dominion into closer harmony.

An important step will be tho publication in six months’ time of a weekly journal devoted solely to the interests of broadcasting. Arrangements will also be made for community listening, it being recognised that this is an important source of discussion. Professor Shelley gave details of plans for new national broadcasting headquarters in Wellington, and then discussed the listeners’ side of the question. “At the present time listeners have no effective voice to let the Broadcasting Service know what they want,” said Professor Shelley. 11 Gallant and helpful listeners’ clubs and societies exist in various parts of the country and casual correspondents are sometimes very helpful with suggestions, but moro Dominion-wide organisation is necessary. The Minister has therefore decided that facilities should be provided whereby listeners can meet in groups and listen under social as well as solitary conditions—listeners’ groups must therefore be organised for the various purposes that radio can serve: listeners’ groups, not only for-listening to educational talks, but groups to listen to classical music, light music, and organised groups for dancing to the dance music. Whatever they may gather together to listen to, such group listening is necessary if the Broadcast ing Service is to reflect the spirit of the community.” Utilising Schools. The Minister of Education had again expressed his active sympathy, and recognised that in many places the schools were the natural centres of

About 2000 Maoris from all parts of the North Island assembled at Ratana Pa on Monday to celebrate the birthday of Mr. T. W. Ratana. The festivities are to continue all tho week.

organisation. Tho school buildings could be so developed that they could become attractive community centres where people could gather to listen and discuss. < ‘ There is also an obvious need for an effective means of contact between the service and the listeners, so that they may take each other into their confidence,” continued Professor She! ; ley, “and in order to meet this need ! the Minister has decided that in six months’ time a weekly broadcasting magazine containing the programmes and interesting articles and information will be published by the Broadcasting Service at a reasonable price. “There is no need to enlarge on the absolute necessity of taking this step in order to afford the listeuers opportunities of making more effective use of the Broadcasting Service. Much of the information and other matter of interest put over the air is desired by listeners in a more permanent form, as is shown by the letters and inquiries received at present. Besides which, it is only fair that lsteuers should be kept informed of the development of tho service and the aims of the Minister and his staff. These things can only be properly provided or by a journal devoted solely to the interests of broadcasting and our lsteners.”