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Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 1, 22 July 1927, Page 4

This paper is established with the object of serving the neéds of the public in relation to broadcasting. ‘There has been a definite demand for fuller information in relation to the activities, plans, and policy of the Broadcasting Company, and in particular for forward knowledge of the programmes to be given. There is need, also. for a comprehensive and widely-distributed national radio journal, from which prospective listeners may derive knowledge of the delights of radio, and so be induced to join the ranks of enthusiasts and thus add to the general strength of broadcasting, Arrangements have been made with the Radio Broadcasting Company to give in each issue the programmes to be broadcast trom all stations for the week following. Publication will be made in Wellington on the Tuesday of each week, with the idea that the journal will reach listeners, even in distant corners of the Dominion, before the week-end, and so permit all to have at command full knowledge of the programmes for the ensuing week. This will be of outstanding importance as the company's policy in relation to types of programmes is developed. From the explanation given in an interesting article dealing vgarticularly with programmes, which appears elsewhere in this issue, it will be seen that the company has given close study to the programme problem, and has reached the general conclusion that to give the maximum of satisfaction it will be necessary to adopt in part the system of special types of programmes, night by night and day by day, from each station. It will thus be possible for a backblock listener, with a selective set, to follow night by night from the various New Zealand stations the particular class of programme that appeals to him. The programme service of the "Radio Record" will, therefore, be of outstanding importance and valtie to all radio enthusiasts. In addition to this feature, however, our columns will serve the useful purpose of putting on record the cream of the educational matter embodied in the lectures that have been, and will be, put on the air. The editor-announcer of the company, in a special interview elsewhere, outlines, so far as is possible at this stage, the company’s conception of the function that broadcasting can serve in the educational and informative field. We believe that the company will receive the support anticipated from the leading public men of the Dominion, and that there will be provided in this field a service of outstanding merit. Already there has been experienced a demand for a permanent record of some of the outstanding lectures that have been broadcast. We will incorporate these into our columns, and so give listeners and readers a permanent record of the thought-provoking lectures and addresses that will he part of their bill of fare. Further, to round out our service to the radio community, we will incorporate a comprehensive range of technical articles. "Some of these have already been arranged for. They will cover a wide field, being designed to serve the beginner, the enthusiastic amateur, and the advanced and experienced experimenter. By thus keeping all classes in close touch with developments a distinct service can be rendered. Then we wish to serve as a tmecting-ground for listeners in general. Broadcasting cannot succeed without the fullest co-operation between the listening public and the company providing the service for their delectation, ‘The broadcasting service has been passing through an evolutionary stage. ‘The ground-work has been done, the foundations laid, and the superstructure reared. A. certain polish will necessarily have to be imparted to the Broadcasting Company’s organisation before the fullest perfection can be attained. It js necessary for listeners to appreciate the difficulties under which the company has operated. Not only has it been necessary to procure the actual broadcasting machinery, but it has been necessary to select and train the human machinery for the work to be undertaken. No one more frankly admits than the broadcasting authorities themselves that perfection has not been attained, and that the service of the past has not met either their own ideals or the desires of listeners. Tt has simply been the best that could be provided in the circumstances. The circumstances have now improved and advanced to a stage which will permit of a steady programme of improvement, It has beeti better, the company has felt, to concentrate on the job rather than the issue of a multitude of excuses. ‘Therefore, the company has endured past complaints substantially in silence. For the future, complaints as to technical efficiency will, or should be, completely absent, Complaints as to the quality of programmes, ‘if all plans and expectations are realised, will be a disappearing factor; and we anticipate there will be a concentration of effort to use to. the fullest degree, and for the highest good of the community, the

tremendous instrument for good offered by the broadcasting service, This service will cover commercial purposes, educational purposes, and artistic purposes. Listeners must recognise that their requirements are comprehensive and all-embracing; that, just as a newspaper serves all classes, so broadcasting must serve all classes; that what interests one depresses another, but that both are entitled to the service they desire. mo, In that spirit of service this journal is instituted. It will offer a meeting-ground for all points of view in relation to radio. Where criticism is deserved, and is made in the constructive sense without rancour or bias, it will receive full hospitality and courtesy, in our columns. Special space will be devoted to listeners’ leagues, so that their desires may be met to the fullest extent. It will be only by mutual co-operation and tmutual understanding that the common desire will be attained, and in that spirit we are satisfied our issue will constitute a definite service and that we will receive a welcome reception. sR