NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 422, 1 May 1937, Page 2

NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE

BROADCASTING’S PART . Forming National Taste . A national broadcasting service must do more than keep a succession of to’ses on tap from morn till night, states an authority in an article in a Home paper. There must be a national significance behind it all. Ideals, no matter how subtly, must be preserved or 'created. National tas-te must be form'd; appreciation, especially musical appreciation, must be raised. Tradition must be served/ j an’d the future as well. The function of the radio is tremendous to contemplate, most difficult to fulfil. Broadcasting touches the life of the modern community at every point, and it must fulfil the needs of people with widely different tastes. A theatre has but one function, a music hall another; a concert hall and lecture platform has each its own special'appepi,' but the ra'dio has to provide a common platform for all. lit has to be continually in touch wilb writers, talkers, artists, teachers, clergymen, dr annalists, musicians, men, critics, actors, vaudeville actors, specialists in every branch of culture; public men and sportsmen; craftsmen, ‘tnavellers and chance visitors to the country; home and foreign affairs. There is no end to the multijtudinous contacts that it must 110 c only ,se> k, but foster. It has to keep them all balanced and expound them wiith a certain national policy which, while keeping all stimulating and vigorous, will not at the same time offend public susceptibilities by a hair’s breadth.