MODERN MUSIC

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 67, 4 October 1940, Page 4

MODERN MUSIC

Sir,-It had not been my intention again to join in this interminable controversy, but with your kind permission I should like to add a few final words to correct a misapprehension that has arisen. The only fault I can find with The Listener is that the long interval between your receipt of correspondents’ letters and the appearance of them in print is apt to obscure the original argument. So it happens that I am now charged with having said something concerning music which I certainly never have said. In your issue of September 13 there appeared two letters under the above heading, both refuting statements allegedly made by me. The first letter was signed, " Jack Point." I do not propose to comment on this effusion, for the simple reason that when he penned it the writer was obviously beside himself; consequently, his letter is quite beside the point. But the second letter, sir, gave me much con-cern-I refer to that signed " Miss Modern." If I may employ the classic vernacular, I would say to her: "Lady, you done me wrong!" Your fair correspondent is unfair when she arraigns me as an "apparently dissatisfied listener-in . . . unable to find a programme" to suit me " within the whole range of N.Z. stations." Mr. Editor, I never said no sich thing! Not once in my letters have I assailed or impugned our radio fare. On the contrary, in various newspaper articles I have repeatedly extolled the efforts of the NBS to improve broadcast programmes. " Miss Modern" has evidently not read my letters carefully or she would know that the criticisms therein have been directed solely against certain extreme types of modern music. On this subject, my opinions are unalterable, and for peace’s sake I now withdraw from the arena.

L. D.

AUSTIN

(Wellington).