The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET. AUCKLAND FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1929 RADIO TO THE RESCUE ?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 559, 11 January 1929, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET. AUCKLAND FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1929 RADIO TO THE RESCUE ?

K T first glance, New Zealand listeners-in will probably view ** witli deep suspicion—and even unequivocal hostility—any proposition that threatens to raise their licence-fees. It should not be difficult to convince them, however, that Mr. C. B. Plummer’s proposal to subsidise musical societies through a smalL levy on licence-fees has much to commend it. With agreeable candour, it is admitted that the direct benefit will be in favour of the societies; hut an indirect benefit in greater volume will go toward listeners-in and the Broadcasting Company. The broad plan outlined yesterday by Mr. Plummer provides for a slightly increased levy on licence-holders. Allowing for an increase of 2s, it is estimated that this would provide a sum of £4,000, to be devoted to the musical organisations in the four centres. In return for the subsidy, the societies would he obliged to give broadcast concerts, of which there should be a total of at least 50 a year. Though an increase of only. 2s in the levy does not sound much, it will not he greeted with favour unless listeners-in first examine the situation closely, and realise the great wealth of talent the scheme will place at their disposal. New Zealand listeners-in have shown themselves to be severe critics of broadcast programmes. Because an artist is miles away in a studio, the great invisible audience shows no disposition to be forgiving. But because it lacks the spirit of charity, it can in no sense be called captious. Listeners-in, speaking broadly, constitute a great and intelligent body. The failure of the authorities to gauge their standards caused trouble that is still remembered. A faint echo of it is heard even now, though it will be generally conceded that a much higher standard in broadcast programmes has within recent months been attained. As the critical faculty of the radio audiences must he recognised, it follows that the response must he an adequate form of entertainment. Since the amateur musical organisations of New Zealand command a great variety of trained talent, it is surprising that the impulse now given by Mr. Plummer did not in the first instance come from the Broadcasting Company. Here in Auckland there has been difficulty over the engagement, for broadcasting purposes, of the Auckland Municipal Band, and the present deadlock, which is keeping an admirable organisation “off the air,” can only be deplored. At the same time, the broadcasting authorities could more than fill the gap by adopting the suggestion made by Mr. Plummer. The proposition is so obviously one to benefit the company that a liberal view on its part might reasonably be expected. If the desired schedule of subsidies can be distributed on a maximum levy of 2s for each licence-fee, then the company should be prepared to concede at least half of that amount from each fee. The result would lessen the amount of the extra charge upon the licence-holder, and the wider range of entertainment available would do a great deal to popularise listening-in, an object that, in the interests of its business, the company should steadily keep in view. For music-lovers, there is a much wider purpose to he served. It is common knowledge that in the hurried processes of modern life people find little leisure to go forth to concerthalls. It is easier to play the gramophone, or to tune in on IYA. Musical societies have consequently faced with dismay a great falling-off in attendances, and an increasing difficulty in enrolling subscribers to give them support. Yet it is certainly not the conscious intention of listeners-in and gramophone lovers to stifle the musical talent developing in the community. Only behind a grossly material outlook could that intention survive. It is to he hoped that the great radio audiences will rally round.