Lest We Regret

New Zealand Listener, Volume 7, Issue 179, 27 November 1942, Page 10

Lest We Regret

% (Written for

The Listener

ONCE upon a time I went to Wellington and made some records. When they first heard about it, my friends and acquaintances were much interested, but as time passed and nothing happened, I became conscious of an atmosphere of politely veiled incredulity. When exactly were these talks to be given? I had begun to be rather doubtful myself, but just as I had almost run out of excuses and explanations, the talks began. Now for a long time I have been interested in the achievements of massobservation, At last I had an opportunity to practise it myself on a readymade audience. Here are some of the results: A. stated proudly that she had remembered to tune in, and also to warn (sic.), other members of the family. Beyond this, she seemed unwilling to commit herself. B. who had obviously forgotten all about it, took a strong line. Scorning the defensive, she immediately launched —

a brilliant series of counter-attacks, She had been terribly busy. Life was very easy for people without small children. Anyhow, Saturday was a very bad day for listening to talks, and 11:a.m. the worst time of the day. Retiring in disorder, I came upon C, C. had simply loved’ it. She thought I was just too wonderful to be able to go on talking for so-long without a pause. But perhaps having been a_ teacher helped. D. was frankly envious. Fancy getting paid all that money for just talking! E. thought my voice sounded quite attractive, though she would never have recognised it, You ray notice that I have quoted only feminine opinions, I can find no authentic case on record of a man ever having deliberately switched on the radio to listen to a woman talking. Perhaps he doesn’t feel the need. So the comments which I have quoted may be said to represent Everywoman’s reaction to every other woman’s performance. Anyhow, I didn’t feel like pursuing the inquiry any further. But I now appreciate that true inwardness of the slogan-Lest we regret-don’t talk!

C.F.

H.