Tribute To Greece

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 79, 27 December 1940, Page 12

Tribute To Greece

Outstanding Programme ‘KT a time when the Grecian armies were folling the Italians back through Albania, no more appropriate programme could have been broadcast from the ZB’s than the "Tribute to Greece" which was presented over the four main stations on Sunday, December 15- The programme, the items of which were made available by K. Economos, a Greek citizen now resident in Wellington, and S. N. Garland, deputy consul for Greece, was devised and compiled by L. E. Strachan, of the CBS head office, and compéred by Mr. Garland. Following a recording of the Greek National Anthem, played by the Royal Bodyguard of the King of Greece, the programme opened with a brief reference to the countless ways in which Greece is linked with our modern civilisation. An appropriate Greek myth was then mentioned-the story of the first aviator Daedalus, who made wings for himself and his son Icarus. The history of the Olympic Games was traced, and many interesting facts about modern Greece narrated. In the story of British collaboration with Greece in her great struggle for independence special reference was naturally made to the sympathy of Byron for Greece’s cause. A feature of the programme was the excellent selection of Grecian music, Greek bands, vocalists and an Athenian male chorus being heard in typical

Greek music. Meetings of Greeks were held in various parts of the Dominion for the special purpose of hearing this unique programme, and Mr. Garland spoke to them in their mother tongue. The CBS received many congratulatory messages, including one from the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Peter Fraser-

In April of this year at the installation of the Archbishop, there was such a mighty ringing of bells as would have gratified the heart of the most homesick "Homie." But even this, I believe, was surpassed in the old days when way back in 1900 the bellringers treated the city to a grandsire Double Peal of 5040 changes which lasted three hours. As far as I can remember, on one occasion only (and that a Christmas evening before service) have the bells been broadcast. The Cathedral bells in Christchurch are old friends, and for 60 years they have vied with the Post Office clock (which invariably stops) in announcing such earthquakes as we enjoy from time to time.-BILL (Christchurch).