“JOHN LONDONER”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1942, Page 4

“JOHN LONDONER”

VIEWS ON TOPICAL QUESTIONS. MICROPHONE IN STREET. Every week, as shown in this photograph, Vaughan Thomas, a British Broadcasting Corporation commehta;or, takes a recording car to some ’amous London street and invites passersby to answer questions into the nicrophone. The results of these interviews are produced in the 8.8. C. short wave programmes “Meet John Londoner.” Vaughan Thomas who, as his name mplies, is a Welshman, says that here is a definite technique in inter- . ’-'wing Londoners. Knowingly he

chooses the latter part of the Londoner’s lunch hour for his work. “This is the time.” he says, “when people are in their happiest frame of mind. “Making the start is the anxious part,” he says. “I see the people streaming past me. They all seem to be in such a hurry. I select a likely looking man, and microphone in hand, approach him. He usually thinks I am trying to sell him something, and returns my advances with a terrible glare. “Once we have induced somebody to start the ball rolling, the'rest is simple. People gather round to see what’s happening. They all would like to say a word to the folks overseas.” Vaughan Thomas usually asks Mr and Mrs two or three set questions which he has chosen on the most topical subject of the week. The answers, however, are spontaneous. “Each week I endeavour to get the opinions of different types of .London's citizens,” says this producer, “to ensure that this programme lives up to its title—Meet John Londoner’.”