CHURCHES APPROVE OF BROADCASTING

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

CHURCHES APPROVE OF BROADCASTING

CONFERENCE ACCEPTS SERVICE OFFERED

A conference of representatives of six of the principal denominations met on Tuesday afternoon in the studio at _8YA, ... The, policy, of | broadcasting church services was approved and a local committee of control was set up. The Church of England was represented by Ven: Archdeacon Taylor and Rev. C. Fraer; the Methodist Church by the Revs. W.: Greenslade, A. Liversedge, and’ W. H. Speer; the Presbyterians, the Revs. W. Maclean (Oamaru), Wi. lL. D. Webster, T. W. Armour and T. Paterson; the Congregationalists, Rev. D. Gardner Miller; Church of Christ, Rev. Howard Earl; and hie Baptists, the Revs. J. Robertson and J. K. Archer (in the chair). Mr. A, R. Harris, general manager of the Broadcasting Company, was also | present, , A motion that the meeting approve of the broadcasting of church services was moved by the Rev, D. Gardner Miller, seconded by the Rey. Greenslade, and carried unanimously. It was reported that .the Roman Catholic Church and the Salvation Army had replied that they could not, at present take advantage of the offer of facilities: to broadcast their services. * The followiag propasals in respect to the broadcasting of religious services at its four stations at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin were placed before the conference by the company :- 1, Every Sunday regular evening church services or special studio ser‘vices occupying about 1} ‘hoars Every Sunday special children’s services from the company’s studios for from 380 to 45 minutes prior to the commencement of the church service. 3. By arrangement, regular Sunday morning church serviecs or special studio services. bd "4, By arrangement special Sunday. afternoon sessions of approved character. — . ‘5. From time to time approved organ and choral music from .churches or from the company’s studiss at the con-: clusion of the Sunday evening services.

6. From time to time week-day church services, organ recitals an choral festivals of acceptable character, This was seconded by the Rev. Ws, Greenslade and carried unanimously, : A long discussion ensued on thé question of the time and place of a service which is being broadcast whether in the studio or the churchand whether, if in the studio, it should be during the hours of the ordinary church services or afterwards. Thig discussion centred round. the. first pros posal of the Broadcasting.Co.: "Every Sunday regular: evening church services or special studio services: ., occupying about 14 hours." . The following motion..by the Rev, J. Robertson, seconded by the Revj W. H. Speer, was carried, the Presbyterian representatives dissenting — "Every Sunday . regular: evening ser+ vices ‘or special studio ‘services be broadcast, the studio service to be at the regular church hour," The Presbyterians disagreed with the time of the studio service, contending that: it should be after the regular service. The remaining proposals of the company were referred to the committee, A’ hearty vote of thanks to the general manager of the Broadcasting Co., Mr. A. R. Harris, for convening the conference, and for his courtesy, and a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, closed the meeting, In arranging to broadcast Sunday re. ligious seryices the company has decided to give preference to the more prominent denominations that may be broadcast at regular intervals, and fo: the purpose of. tliis. arrangement the more prominent’. denominations aré deemed to be: 1, Church of England $ 2, Presbyterian ; 3, Roman Catholic; 5, Baptist; 6 Army; 7, Church’ of Christ: 8, Con gregational. The broadcasting of the services of these denominations will be restricted to the first four Sundays of every month, the fifth Sunday being reserved for special services’ of other religious hodies or for special services rendered from the company’s studios, The Rev W. Maclean moved: That a provisional committee be set up to co-operate with the’ Broadcasting Co,., each church to be invited to appoint one representative.