Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 21, 9 December 1927, Page 14

Our Mail Bag

Quality of Programmes. "TP? Island Bay): I would like to say a word or two regarding what some correspondents are pleased to term "highbrow" stuff purveyed to listeners-in from the 2YA studio. What exactly is meant by that term I am not quite able to state in so many. words, but if it is imtended to cover such items as those being rendered from time to time by the Symonds-Iilwood-Short ‘Trio, then all I can say is that to use such a term in disparagemcnt of music of that nature--consisting as it does of gems from the works of such masters as Beethoven, Bralimis, Schubert, Mendelssohn, and others-is neither more nor less than sacrilege. I, for one, do sincerely hope and trust that. while taking care that good miscellaneous programmes may still be provided by the Broadcasting Conpany for our entertainment and in. struction, yet I feel sure that I am voicing the opinion of a large body of listeners-in when I say that the items inentioned are looked for with keen and pleasurable anticipation:as each issue of the ‘‘Radio Recoid’" comes to hand. May I say further that congratulations are due to the management on the fact that we are so soon to have not only a trio, but also a string quartet for Sundays, as announced in your issue of 2nd instant. Again, it will, I ain sure, be welcome news to many to notice the feast of glorious sacred music with which we are to he regaled after the church services have been concluded. I am delighted to notice that these programmes as announced comprise a number of gems of oratorio and other music of such a nature as to harmonise completely and consistently with the character of the Lord’s Day. The items mentioned are to a traisewoithy extent sacred in the real seuse of the word, and not, as has so often been the case in the past, sacred only in name. "A Little of Everything." "FLH.G." (Tiakitahuna): Perhaps to the easy-pleased I may appear a "rump"? and an extremely critical listener, but without critics the world would be a dull spot. ‘To-night, in particular, a few friends assembled here for the purpose of hearing Mr. Warwick’s recital, especially to the items of Miss Wilson. The switch-over took place in the middle of both items, her item being unlucky enougli to follow immediately after the one given by the Symons-Tillwood-Short ‘Trio, who play-’ ed and played and played ad infinitum the "Trio in H Flat, Aliegro and Adagio," the tune being much longer than the title. New, Sir, we appreciated this trio at first, but the same thing weght after night is getting very monotonous indeed. No doubt the reply will be they play only once before 9 p.m and ence after, but they make the bes’ of it in the ’ength of the item. N« doubt to the initiated, or "high-brow," musician all this is very beautiful, but don’t forget the Broadcasting Company are catering for thousands of us ordinary people, who enjoy a little of everything. A Picton View. Radio (Picton): I would like to say a few words of praise of the manner in which the children’s sessions are couducted at the three stations. The Sunday evening session at 2YA is really too good to be classed as amusement; it 1s inspiring and an education tor both old and young, and it seems tliat no pains have been spared at any of the stations to bring these sessions up to the high standard in which they are at the present time. Great credit is due not only to the Broadcasting Company, but to the "uneles’ and "aunts? as well. The "Record," too, is deserving of great credit. I have noticed plenty of very ‘fine music lately from the stations; last night the programme of 1YA, given by some of the old artists, was a treat indeed. Reception lately las been very fair over here, 2YA very good and stead. ier, LYA strong most times, but not quite the tone of 3YA, which unfortunately fades rather badly at times with us here. You will no doubt notice I have not included 4YA in my remarks. ‘They have some very fine items on the programme what a great pity insufficient power prevents these items being made available to all New Zealand listeners. Can you give the listeners any information in regard to increasing the power of that station? Wishing the "Record" and B.C. every success.-[Progress is being made with strengthening Duncdin’s power.-Iid.] A Short-wave Query, G.G., Alfredton: I wish to express my appreciation of the programmes broadcast from 1, 2, and 8YA, though I agree with "Metre" about the light items, but we cannot complain, as the company cannot please everyone. | Last Sunday (27tli) I was listening in on my short-wave set at about 8 o'clock, just after breakfast, and I-heard a station broadcasting what sounded like a football match. I never heard any call sign; it was not very clear, but fairly loud. Could you or any reader supply information as to its whereabouts? Why is it 1 can receive Dunedin on two wave-lengths, 463 and 235 metres? It is much londer and clearcr on the low wave. I have not heard of anyhody else doing the same, Broadcasting Religious Services, "H.D.N.," Auckland: With the great est interest I have perused all refer ence in your journal to the question as to whether it is desirable that the Anglican Church shall erect.and operate a broadcast station in Auckland for the following avowed purposes.:_Q) The broadcasting of chureh..ser vices, especially for the young, the-siclk, the aged, and isolated.

(2) Scriptural and other -religious instructions, (3) Lectures on Church history, ete. (4) Propaganda for the Churcli’s social work. (5) Information on parish and general Church yews. (6) Good church music. (7) Special messages from promincnt church people. Now, I submit that those who have paid their license fees for the service supplied by the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand did not anticipate that the Government would permit any circumstance to interfere with the fullest enjoyment of that service. Without a shadow of doubt the’ erection of another full-powered broadcast station in Auckland will seriously interfere with reception of 1YA, Auckland, by seme hundreds of listeners in and around Auckland In Sydney the introduction of a number of broadcast stations created a tremendous amount of trouble for thousands of owners of crystal sets, and even for owners of valve sets. Some thousands of pounds had to be spent by these listeners te improve the selectivity of their sets, atid even now many listeners in certain areas of Svdney still have to submit to a backeround of interference from one local station while they are tuned into another focal station. Here, in Auckland, when we purchased our sets, there was no question of another broadcast station starting in opposition to 1YA. Why should the hundreds of -hoys and grows-ups who operate crystal sets in and around Auckland he put to considerable trouble and = exnense ra that the Anelican Church shall employ the gladdening gift of radio for the exploitation of religious propagada. Tt is also an axiom in radio that the Jonger the aerial the better the reception of long-distance stations, but unfortunately there is a parallel axiom | which lavs it down that the Jonger the the less the selectivity of the receiving set. There are many hundreds of owners of valve sets in and around Auckland who employ ‘ng acrials for the hetter reception of the broadcast stations at Wellington. Christchurch, and Dunedin, a privilege for which thev pay the New Zealand Government. It is true that these valve sets may he rendered selective enough to be able to tune out one of the two Auckland stations to listen to the other, but only, in many instances, by the shortening of their acrials which means weaker long-distance reception. I cannot believe the Government will give a permit for the operation of a Station which is admittedly to he used rnurely for propaganda purposes-in this case religions propaganda. One can only judee the Broadcasting Com- [ Panv’s attitude as friendly towards the Anglican Church by its invitation to send a representative of the Church to confer upon the subject of broadcasting the Auneliesn services from the existing stations. Tis offers the Anglicans an anportunitvy of obtaining a reasonalle "lace "on the air’? without the prodigal expenditure which the erection and ‘naintenance of a special broadcast sta‘on would involve. | _T cannot, .too strongly emphasise the fact that if the Govertrment were to crant the Anglican Church a permit to erect the station in Auckland they will establish a dangerous precedent. Others organisations may rightly demand a permit for the erection of stations in the other New Zealand centres, and if the question came to a legal test the Arckland case would be urged as a precedent And these other organisations mav offer even less accept able nropaganda than teligious propa. panda. In conclusion T maintain that a most reasonable alternative is offered the Auckland Anglican Church by the Broadeasting Company, whicl is prepared to give the Church the nse of its stations on equal terms with other churckes. T am satisfied that if the matter were put to a plebiscite of Auckland listeners, in view of the above. the Anelican’ Church’s station would not have 5 ner cent. of the votes cast in favour of it. Records Objected To. Dancing Listener-in.-Migit I suggest through your valuable paper that those in charge of programme arrangements reyert to the use of the dance band in the studio instead of using the records, as at present, every

| Saturday night? I can assure you that the majority of listeners would prefer it, and also to remind you that nearly every home in New Zealand has a gramophone and can put a record on if they wish. I also wish to mention that we heard the same number three times last Saturday night, ‘Honolulu Moon" was played twice on records and once at the cabaret, Now if a band was playing at the studio this would not occur: Programmes Appreciated. G. C. Petersen (Palmerston Nortlj) : It is pleasing to note that the Broadcasting Company has adhered to jts original resolve to keep its programmes up to the highest possible standard, ‘This has been done consistently, and is evidenced by the way in which the most highly qualified . performers available are being retained to take part in the programmes. ‘In this connection I desire particularly to express my appreciation of the performances of Mr. A. Stanley Warwick. The excellent quality for transmission of his voice; combined with his marked ability as an elocutionist, renders his items a delight to the listener. Miss Violet Wilson also can always be relied on for a first-class item. Personally I should like to see a greater nuniber of good orchestral items appear on ‘the programmes. I think that’ broadcasting has a great opportunity of educating the public to a better appreciation of the best music, and if it were successful to any extent in this direction alone it wouli more than justify itself. A Radio Christmas. G. C. H. (Masterton): Now that the festive season is not far distant, and in view of the extraordinary popularity of radio as compared with twelve months ago, it behoves the programme director and the Broadcasting Co. to combine to "make this Christmas a Radio Christmas,’’ the former by arranging appropriate Yuletide programmes and the latter by providing extra sessions in keeping with the occasion. As a beginning I would suggest a late night on Christmas Eve, with Christmas carols, etc.; a relay of a morning church service on Christmas Day; that the evening session on New Year’s Iive continue until midnight, and so "‘see the old year out." Possibly further and perhaps more suitable suggestions will be forthcoming, and it should be a comparatively easy matter for the Broadcasting Co., with a few innovations, to introduce the true | spirit of Christmas into radio land, and thus bring further enjoyment to all listeners, more especially to those, such as the aged and the sick, who are not able to enjoy Christmas in other difections. I expect the company already have this matter in hand, and in that case I trust they will not deem this letter ‘‘uncalled for.’’ [Certainly not. We know the company appreciates suggestions, and we, ou our part, are pleased to receive from listeners correspondence covering their views. Interests are mutual, and correspondence largely replaces person. al contact, which smoothes away many troubles.-Ed.] A Suggestion. Iiqualiser (Christchurch): At _ the present it is the practice of the Radio Broadcasting Coy. of New Zealand to have one silent night at 1YA, 2YA, and 3YA, and two at 4YA stations. Would it not be possible to have these silent nights on a separate night to each other, thereby giving listeners a choice of at least three statious on any one night of the week, instead of two stations being silent on Monday and Wednesday nights as at present. To make my suggestion clear, I give the following as silent nights: Monday, 4YA (first night); ‘Tuesday, 3YA; Wednesday, 2YA; Thursday, 1YA; Vriday, 4¥A (second night). If this arrangement were carried out, it would give a good choice for every evening. You will notice I liave put 4YA’s secong night down to Friday, as this, being the late shopping night, it would be a better night lost than Wednesday, especially to crystal users.