THE SPIRIT OF RADIO.

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 22, 16 December 1927, Page 4

THE SPIRIT OF RADIO.

At this season it is timely to review, however briefly, the spirit of radio and the remarkable progress made in the past year in the popularisation of this modern utility or service. By some it may be regarded merely as an entertainment. ‘Even on that plane it is still a service, and one of no mean’ moment either. But it cannot seriously be questioned that radio is to be regarded as infinitely more valuable than entertainment: It has its place as a distributor of news, and although regarded jealously in that field by some Press interests who think only of self, and therefore seek to be specially critical of the new force, will unquestionably prove not to be a competitor, but a supplement to a wisely directed Press publicity. In the educational field, represented by school instriction, and the wider field of popular lectures by definite authorities on world topics, a beginning only has been made. The capacity that has been developed in the United States through the linking of chains of broadcast stations, of one thinker addressing simultaneously an audience of millions, creates a staggering conception of the rapidly expanding power of radio. The area and size of that audience is likely to be immediately expanded by the development of the short wave field, by which, as was recently demonstrated in: an experimental, but quite successful fashion, a British service and British speakers were heard on short wave and relayed through $YA Christchurch to a large New Zealand audience. The spirit that is carrying this marvellous power forward for the benefit of the race is mainly the desire to know, to be "in things," and as such is an expression of man’s gregarious instinct. Gratification of that instinct widens knowledge, breaks down the barriers of ignorance, and in itself is, we take it, the best guarantee of the growth of a wide spirit of tolerance, sympathy, and understanding. What a world is opening to the youth of to-day! Science in every field is throwing fresh knowledge on to the lap of humanity. As a handmaiden in the distribution of that knowledge, radio takes the highest rank, By her charm she is captivating daily fresh thousands and, in this Christmas season, unique opportunity offers for speading further afield by appropriate gifts that will endure the magic mystery of radio. To our readers, themselves enthusiasts in broadcasting, we offer the hearthest seasonal greetings, and invite their individual co-operation, in the coming year, in’‘widening more and more the circle of listeners. We have in execution.a programme of supplying all farmers in the Dominion, over ja period, with sample copies of our journal, to introduce them to radio} and its possibility of service to them. As response develops to that programme, we shall feel that we have been of service to our readers and listeners, individually and collectively.