NEWS BROADCASTS TO KOREA

New Zealand Listener, Volume 24, Issue 621, 25 May 1951, Page 19

NEWS BROADCASTS TO KOREA

ADIO New Zealand broadcasts to K Force are being received well in Korea and have an effect "as good or better" than a letter from home, according to letters being received by the NZBS. "As you might imagine it gives us @ great thrill to be able to hear familiar voices and place names once more," one letter says. Another speaks of "a large and happy gathering around the Battery Office vehicle" to listen to the news. Several letters refer to a broadcast in which Aunt Daisy was heardpart of a programme about the Wellington television demonstrations. So that even those on the guns will be able to hear the broadcasts, extensions have been taken up to the gun positions, and items of news are passed on by those able to listen to those who cannot. The broadcasts have also been acknowledged by the New Zealand frigate Rotoiti. Radio New Zealand broadcasts for the Kiwis in Korea and for New Zealand frigates in Mar Eastern waters a quarterhour news bulletin at 10.30 p.m. N.Z. time (7.30 p.m. in Korea) every night except Sunday. On Saturday night at 9.30 p.m. N.Z. time, a «half-hour pro- gramme Calling Kiwis in Korea includes a quarter-hour round-up of senior Rugby, League and Association football and

hockey results from the main centres, and the main racing results, and a programme by New Zealand artists, with newsy comments by the announcer on events at home. Ulric Williams, who is in charge of Radio New Zealand, told The Listener that reports that the station was being received well in Korea were very gratifying. "However, shortwave reception could change with the seasons, and reception might not always be as good as it had been, especially as-the- station’s power, 7.5 kilowatts, was comparatively low. The NZBS is also helping to keep New Zealanders at home in touch with K Force. Tape recordings made in Korea by the Army Public Relations Staff, describing the life and work of K Force, are being received (though not, because of supply and communication difficulties, at regular intervals) and are broadcast as they come to hand at 8.10 a.m. on. Sundays, after the overseas news. In recent broadcasts a regimental intelligence officer has described the fighting characteristics of the Chinese soldier, and the work of an aerial observation officer spotting for K Force guns, and of the signal and dental units and similar services, have been discussed,