BROADCAST ENGLISH AXES AND ORCHIDS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 98, 9 May 1941, Page 4

BROADCAST ENGLISH

AXES AND ORCHIDS

Sir,-One wonders whether John Doe is as great a stickler for English grammar as he appears to be for English pronunciation? If so, wouldn’t it be more correct to say-‘ With these I am not concerned," instead of-‘ These I am: not concerned with "? English pronunciation is a difficult matter, as every county seems to have its own. Take the word "castle." Northerners use the short "a"Southerners the long, Which is right? (I belong to the north). One thing is quite certain, whatever the pronunciation the English language makes itself understood in most parts of the world-MISS PRONOUNCE (Auckland).

Sir,-I am always intensely interested in what critics of the stations have to say. Some folks like to throw axes while others tip-toe along with orchids -anyhow, I think your magazine is very nice, but don’t you think we could have the drawings a little more modern? It is rather tiring to pick up The Listener and be confronted with old-world types as on Page 39, April 11 programme page. As for the People in the Programmes, they are very good indeed, because everyone likes to see who is in the broadcasts. This is the first request I am making: please can we have a photo of the entire staff of Stations 1ZB and 2ZB? "The Voice of Manawatu" photo is an excellent example: it appeared in January 10 Listener and you, guessed correctly for we did keep it! The signatures improve it, too. Here is my idea of CBS programmes: Orchids: Secret Diary, Fairy Tales at 5.30, Racing in Retrospect, Hit Parade, Chuckles with Jerry, Detective Problems, Health Talks, Im- . perial Leader, Amateur Hours, Film Session, and Fred. and Maggie. Axes: News from London (we can get that from any YA station, so why do the ZB’s waste time?), England Expects, Peter MacGregor (we had enough of Pete in the last few months of 1939). Well, that is all: there is a shortage of iron, so I won’t throw too many axes, besides, the CBS does not deserve more! "It Happened to Me" is a very good feature in The Listener. Keep it going. The Auckland Commercial Station needs a tuning up on its time bell; it is sickening when it ticks on that dumb note. Give them one like 2ZB, 3ZB and 4ZB. For the announcers: Keep it up, boys, we like to hear you signing on and off, for knowing our announcer makes the programmes worth listening to! On the whole, a big bouquet for the National and Commercial Stations!

JOY

MACINDOE

(Hikutaia).