The Radio Atmosphere in Wellington

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 39, 13 April 1928, Page 3

The Radio Atmosphere in Wellington

‘Pleasant Gathering Tenders Farewell to Mr.

J. H.

Owen

HE complimentary diner | tendered on Wednesday evening last to Mr. J. H. Owen, president of the %| Wellington Amateur Raiieeoes, dio Society, on his departure on a trip to England, was the oceasion of a very interesting cvening’s speech-making on a number 0 aspects of broadcasting. The dinner) was attended by, not only the execu--tive of the society, but by a number ef representative dealers and ethers interested in broadcasting. Mr. Ivan M. Levy, vice-president of the society, officiated as chairman. Mr. Owen Honoured.

To Mr. W. S. Roche fell the honour of proposing the toast of Mr. Owen’s health. Since Mr. Owen became president of the society it had increased, not only in membership, but also in prestige, and the speaker hoped they had been able at various times to give a good account of themselves, and be of some assistance to the Broadcasting Company. Mr. Owen had always been very energetic and most enthusiastic in the performance of his duties as president. When he_ visited England before he returned with a very interesting report of his experiences, particularly in relation to broadcasting, and he trusted he would do the same thing agam, and that his trip would ptoye most enjoyable. Mr. R. Leslie Tones, secretary of the society, read the text of an illuminated address, signed by members of the society, expressing appreciation of Mr. Owen’s services in the cause of radio, and as president and chairman of the society, and wishing him and Mrs, Owen a pleasant ttip. Messrs. T. McGann and C. i. Groundsell also spoke appreciatively of Mr. Owen’s work. Mr. Levy also endorsed the great interest Mr. Owen had taken in radio, and the benefit his active interest had been to the society. As they knew, broadcasting had just emerged from the crysalis stage, in which connection they had had some important conferences, at which Mr. Owen’s presetrce had been very valuable. In Retrospect.

Mr. Owen feelingly responded to the presentation. He appreciated the hottour done him to the depths of his heart. Mr. Owen proceeded to refer to the rapid advance made by broadcasting since twenty-four years ago he first encountered its magic when traveHing across the Atlantic, and his vessel had been kept in touch with Iingland and the United States by morse. Ten yeats later, in the war years, wireless telephony became prominent, aud subsequently the British Broadcasting Company sprang into existence, and was subjected to criticism (mostly adverse), from which it was not free all this day, for it still had its critics, and plenty of them, but they all knew) tke service given by that corporation | was very remarkable, Since his visit of two years back, he was informed, the service had improved out of all recognition. This semed to him = to be impossible, but he would have the opportunity of testing the statement for himself in the very near future. Mr. Owen proceeded to refer to the early days of broadcasting in Wellington, and his tremendous excitement when he first heard three words from Syduey. Subsequently sets had im- proved and the broadcasting field had rapidly developed. He considered the Broadcasting Company, in the short time they had been. on the air, had done a great deal for broadcasting ii. New Zealand. (Hear, hear.) Their clul) had been critical, and sometimes

r possibly a little too critical-perhaps a little harsh. Verhaps they were getting a fittle wiser in their generation now. They recognised fully that they were row getting a very good service(hear, hear)-and a service which was getling befter every day. It had improved enormously since it first started.

He would not say there was no room for improvement, as they would all agree there was, but they must be kindly in their criticism and constructive. Mr. Harris had met them both privately and publicly, and had requested their assistance. ‘The scheme recently outlined, by which the Broadcasting Company would be advised by service committees ot: various topics, was ail to the good, und was splendid evidence of the desire of the Lroadcasting Company to associate themselves with the clubs of New Zealand and get all the good advice they were able to give. them. There should be the best of feeling between the club and the company, and any criticisms or views they had in regard to programumies should be adyanced in a reasonable way. (Hear, hear.) During his absence he sincerely hoped the society would keep the good. work ‘going. It was 2 great pleasure to hear

from their very energetic secretary that the membership of the club was advancing in leaps and bounds. Personally he did not expect that the club’s membership would reach anything phenomenal -it did not seem to him that these clubs in any part of the world became very large-nevertheless, whatever their membership might be, it would be admitted that the members had the welfare of broadcasting thoroughly at heart, ‘hey desired ajl the good possible for the Broadcasting Company, and he was sure that if the clubs carried out their duties as clubs as they should do, they would encourage other meibers of the community, not only to join the club, but to become licensed listeners as well. In conclusion, he was sorry to be leaving the club temporarte but he promised that he would be

only too pleased to advise them of any- | thing he saw or heard that would be to the benefit of radio. | he toast of Mr. Owen’s health was then drunk with musical honours. Amateur Radio Society Honoured. Mr, G. G. McQuarrie proposed the health of the Wellington Amateur Radio Society and paid a tribute to the activities of the society in promoting | better broadcasts. With all due re--spect to the Broadcasting Company, he thought the Amateur Radio Society had had a good influence and probably had given a bit of a fillip in keeping things up to the mark. The speaker also referred to the activities of the society’s energetic secretary. Mr. G. R. McCarthy (Mack’s Radio), in seconding the toast, said that such a society was of the greatest possible use to dealers. He had realised this both in Igurope and America, where le had had extensive experience. A well-organised and established league, to represent the listeners and approach the Broadcasting Company, was highly desirable, Such a society was required to deal with three major points : (1) Howling yalyes; (2) induction nuisances; and (8) broadcasting itself. With a full knowledge of what had been done in Europe and America, he would like to say definitely that, considering the conditions obtain.ing in New Zealand, Mr, Harris had done exceptionally well. He knew when London started with 21,0 it was considered an absolute

feat to bring in Hamburg at a differ. | ence of 60 metres from 2L0’s wavelength. Here listeners could bring in Australia while 2YA was operating, and in his opinion listeners did not realise how important that was and how much technical skill lay behind it. When he was in London he had sold four-valye sets at ninety guineas, and it was absolutely impossible to get anything else but 2L0, but here they could now cut out 2YA and bring in Australia, ‘This was a tribute not. to the set, because it was made to do that, but to the absolute efficiency and technical skill with which 2YA was operating. Only a few weeks ago, for a wager, he had taken a set up to within 200 yards of 2YA’s aerial and had completely cut out 2YA and brought in 2FC, This was due to the high efficiency at the back of 2YA’s transmission, and this was an ab: solute tribute to the Broadcasting Company in the short time they had been on the air. Mr. McCarthy: proceeded to voice his one grievance, which was that during afternoons between three and five 1 o'clock. when dealers were desirous of

selling sets by demonstrating music, they would frequently have prospects disappointed through hearing a solemn voice saying "Take Ib, of flour, etc." It was impossible to sell sets on a voice demonstration, and he did think the hours from three to five should be devoted to music, in order to help the dealers. The Programmes Discussed. Mr. Byron Brown (who also fills the role of Uncle Sandy in the Children’s Hour), speaking as a newly-joined member, said he thought such a society was good, provided they offered their views from the point of view of constructive criticism, rather than destructive. He had been on the air for the last few mouths as an Uncle, and from his lhiome at Otaki listened consistently to both Australian and American stations; and he said, withont fear of contradiction, that 2YA’s programmes gaye them better stuff than anything in Australia. (Hear, hear.) He did like good programmes, and he did not like cheap matter, and 2¥A on the average, and comparing it with all the Australian stations, ou the basis of the average man of taste, and not that of a high-

brow, definitely gave them better matter than Australia. He fad been listeningin to ’Frisco a few nights ago, and had a beautiful reception, when he heard a Yankee yive a Jecturette on "WYandwriting and Character,’ in which he said, with a strong nasal twang: "If you have a name with two initial letters, and you habitually write the first larger than the second, then, ladies and gentlemen, and my friends throughout tle atmosphere, you can feel assured that you have some stability of character."". Mr. Brown said he had heard a few lecturettes from 2Y.\ that were not of a very high standard, and one or two which he had shut off; but he had never heard anything as low down as that American station. (Hear, hear.) "And I will tell you another thing that you never hear from any New Zealand station," said Mr. Brown, ‘fand that is, you never hear any suggestion of filth, and voa do hear that from Aus-tralia-sugegestions Uthat are not clevat- | ing, are not artistic, and are anything but pleasant to listen te. It is the sort of thing that attracts people to vaudeville shows night after night to hear, and we don’t want it in our radio. { have not got env brief for 2YA-I could criticise it if I wished-but I do think it has tried, and I do think it is constantly improving. I will, admit that, as far as the trio goes, it is very fine music indeed; but I will admit it is a little too highbrow, and there is a little bit too much of it. They should give us the sort of stuff people can get down to: we are not all highly educated, Tf they would only play down te the public there would not be this criticism, but T am not saying anything against them." Yhe Children’s Sessions.

Frou Mr. Brown went on to cite some of his experiences as an uncle. It was very difficult at first speaking through the microplione, and feeling a complete lack of response. As time went on, liowever, he came to visualise the homes into which his voice carried, and received many letters, 25 did other uncles and aunts, from children and their mothers. In one particular case he ‘received a letter from a mother wliose little girl was lying in an upcountry hospital suffering from infantile paralysis. ‘This letter asked him to put over some special little message for the invalid, which he did to the best of his ability. ‘The lady wrote in a few days afterwards, saying that she had listened-in at home, and ou hearing the message slipped down to the hospital to see her girl, She found the little girl lying in a state of blissful heatitude, full of the message that "Uncle Sandy" had sent, "And," she exclaimed, "mother, 1 know I’m going to get better!’ These were the little things that came to the uncles and aunts, said Mr, Brown, and showed them how their work was appreciated, and he mentioned it only to draw their attention as an amateur radio club to the kind of work that was being done by the radio uncles and aunts, This made him regret very much the loose criticism that he heard in the streets. Any man who ctiticised shonld first inform himself | on the subject: by calling a man a scoundrel they could not make him one, nor did a man Wecome inefficient |

simply by calling him so. They should treat the performers as decent triers doing their best over the air. He had himself spoken for the British Broadcasting Company m Iitngland, not only on Iimpire subjects, but also in Shakespearian work, when- | eyer he could fit in the time. In the course of that work he had taken particular notice of the standard of work betng done there; and, with the excepfion of one or two men who were outstanding, the work there was no better on -the average than 2YA was producing every night of the, week. He ‘said this quite definitely-the aver: age work there was not one iota better than 2YA was giving at the present time. ‘ } Mr. Harris, he knew, appreciated con-. structive criticism. No one in the Broadcasting Company knew everything about catering for the public-no one would ever know that-but any reasonable reauests that were made would, he was sure, be met, Another Point of View.

Mr. J. Ball, announcer of 2YA, spoke appreciatively of the society as a valuable accessory to broadcasting. He had been impressed, since his association with broadcasting, by the opportunity presented radio as a national service. He never spoke into the microphone without visualising the people in distant country homes in the heart of the backblocks, people in hospitals, etc., and feeling that by conveying to them something of the news af the day, something of the brightness of music, they were giving a service which warranted the co-operation of citizens. As an illustration of the different points of view, Mr. Ball, referring to Mr. MeCarthy’s comment on the ‘lib. of flour, ete.,"? said that he was recently in Wanganui and encountered a tailor whose workshop adjoined a radio dealer who had installed a loudspeaker. * you and your radio,’’ said the tailor. ‘I employ a dozen girls and pay them good money to sew, and the other afternoon, of. going upstairs, I found every one of them busy, not in sewing, but in taking down your wretched recipes."" (Laughter.)

Tribute by the Secretary. Mr. R. Leslie Jones, secretary of the society, first paid a tribute to the work done by Mr. Owen as_ president in connection with the society. He was quite satisfied that, as the result of recent interviews with Mr. Harris aud Mr. Bellingham, the listeners of New Zealand would receive substantial veturns for their fees, and the programmes would be more in Jine with the desires of the public. The ‘monotony of some items-although it was not actually monotony--wonld not be in evidence, and the trio would be given, as he had suggested, a frame of ollier music to bring out its own merit. A first-class orchestra was. being formed, and lie had stressed to the company the desire of listeners for first-class gramophone recerds io be put on the air, Listeners would have ho cause for complaint in a few weeks’ time, He must confess to feeling guilty of saying some very hard things in the past regarding the cont pany, and writing seme very stiff jetters, but he was very happy to say that he really believed that the future would be bright. sage. aes

Mr. Harris had told him that the company now had the stations and staff, and purposed concentrating ol programmes. He felt sure the future would bring forth good fruit. The society had seven catvassers seeking members, and they were meeting with a good response. The society also desired a closer co-opera-tion with dealers in connection with their regular meetings, and in interesting buyers in becoming members of the society, etc. In order to co-opet~ ate with this campaign, the ‘Radio Record" had donated 20,000 leaflets to be distributed by dealers to customers featuring the work of listeners of radio societies. Mr. Jones said he was satisfied that the public relations scheme, as submitted by the company, would be a wonderful thing when it was in full working order. These committees would make recommendations which would be a big help. The children’s sessions were absolutely excellent; on the technical gide the nodulation in some cases might be improved, but the transmission of 2YA. was not bad. The plant embodied the very latest features available up to the lime of its shipment. He did not think {he public realised what, it fully.

meant to get a team OF aftisto sv gether. The Broadcasting Company was doing its best, and he thought it | desirable that statements should not be allowed to go unchalletiged which continually belittled — the performers. Such practices would check people from going before the microphone to be pulled te pieces by every Tom, Dick, and Harry. The society would be doing good service in backing up the artists who came before the microphone to entertain the public. Reasonable Criticism Welconie. In responding to the toast, Dr. Robertson said there had: been a lot of carping criticism lately, but no one could aceuse the Wellington society of carping criticism, as their suggestions had been constructive, and put forward in a reasonable manner. He considered this was bearing fruit in the present satisfactory state of the company’s performances and the prospects of better. There was always room for improvement, and the society, quite rightly, adopted the attitude that they must point out how to improve things. He would like to put on record the appreciation of the society for the work done by Mr. Billing at their

meetings. The "Radio Record." Mr. J. H. Owen proposed the toast of the "Radio Record." He thought the "Radio Record" had filled a very muclt needed position in the radio world of New Zealand. It had consistentiy been fair in all its remarks. He had read it from the first yumber down to the last with the very greatest pleasure, and thought that in all its phases it reflected very great credit indeed upon the Tditor. He meant every word that he said, and regarded it as a particularly well compiled journal. Its technical articles, he was sure, were vety highly appreciated by a great many radio enthusiasts throughout the country; he had nothing to suggest in the way of improvement, but trusted that cyery listener would beconfe a subscriber, — It was quite in its swaddling clothes, but he wislied it long life and prosperity, as it was a very useful magazine, and sliouid be in the hands of all. Mr. G.. R. McCarthy, on behalf of the dealers, said he would like to stress the point that the dealers could derive very great advantage and benefit from (Continued on Page 14.

Radio Atmosphere in Wellington

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the "Radio Record." All acquired much experience and knowledge of sets and conditions that could not be found in books, and it would be helpful to all listeners for these to be made available through the ‘Radio Record." Because of its geographical situation, New Zealand insistently demanded . the very highest class of radio goods in the world. Under our conditions sets were required to give perfect reception up to 1200 to 1800 miles, whereas from London the most distant other station available wag Rome, 750 miles, and the next Berlin at 540 miles. In New York a 500-mile radius placed one in reach of the next most powerful station centre; but in New Zealand conditions were much different, and demanded lenger distance-. getting capacity. Those little refinements aud practices which dealers discovered as giving better reception should he passed ‘on through the ‘Radio Record."" The Editor of the ‘‘Radio Record," in reply, thanked Mr. Owen and M«e. McCarthy for their remarks, and stated that the whole object of the paper was simply to render service to broadcasting in all its aspects. ‘To do this the paper had to be perfectly fair and open- minded, and would continue to be so. Unlike Mr. Owen, he could cite various improvements that were desirable as opportunity permitted. One was a possible adjustment of the size of the paper. This was at present dictated by the machinery available and the time necessary to catch early mails. With the provision of new machinery in the near future, however, sufficient time might be gained to permit of extra time being put into the production of a smaller sized sheet, with, of course, more pages. This would be a matter for consideration. The Dealers. That the radio dealer was more than a dealer, viz., was a radio doctor as well, was a point made by Mr. Morgan in proposing the toast of the dealers. Dealers had to give good service, and continue to give satisfaction. He particularly appreciated the children’s programmes, and considered that rousing their interest in radio was the best means for building the future popularity of broadcasting. Boys and girls, starting with their crystal always later wanted something better, and he thought that dealers might profitably demonstrate in the children’s hour to great advantage. Response was made hy Mr. C. E. Grounsell and Mr. Megann. Both admitted the popularity of the children’s session, although Mr. Megann feared that more children over twenty-one listened than under. One devoted young lady listener that he knew was aged ninety-two! Mr. Grounsell, in brief reference to programmes, said j that twenty to twenty-five minutes of } Classical music was too much for many {crystal set holders, who grew tired and shut down or the night, as they could get nothing outside Wellington. Many five-valve sets as well could not get outside Wellington. Both speakers stressed the desirability of quarterly ot half-yearly payments being accepted from those unable to pav the full vearlv fee in advance. Sonie could not find thirty shillings in a lump sun, whereas they would he quite prepared to pay quarterly, The Company Honoured. The toast of the Radio Broadcasting Company was proposed by Mr. J. H.. Owen. It had, he said, accomplished wonders in the short time it had heen at work. Stations had heen provided in the four centres, and to do this those formerly existing had to be taken over and dismantled and new provision made. This was a very large undertaking, and the conipany deserved very great credit indeed, more partieularly in regard to 2YA,. He had feared that the -provision made here, was more than the country would warrant, but nevertheless in the short time since that installation the nuinhers of listeners had grown to over 40,000. He recalled that two vears ago, when conversing with Mr. Markman, then Secretary of the Post Office, he had suggested, in response to a query from Mr, Markman, that we would ultimately get 40,000 listeners, and Mr. Markman had laughed at the idea. He thereefore felt proud that his prophecy of two years had heen so speedily realised. He was very keen to see broadcasting fully established, and wished the Broadcasting Company every possible success. Speaking for himself, he would be lost without broadcasting. : Mr. McCarthy said he would like to put on record, on behalf of the dealers, what the Radio Broadcasting Company was doing on their behalf. Further, he would like the Radio Amateur Society to instill into the minds of listeners the need for proper equipment. In nine cases out of ten, when he was called in to investigate com> plaints of poor reception, he found that the trouble was due to slipshod methods in putting up the aerial. If people would only spend an extra shilling or two at the start in putting up a good aerial,

by far the’ greater proportion of complaints about poor reception would disappear. The programmes were transmitted well, and if proper provision was made by listeners they should be received well, Some Policy Announcements, Mr. J. Ball, announcer 2YA, in aeknowledging the toast on behalf of the . Broadcasting Company, said he esteemed it a privilege to be present, not only for the pleasure of joining in an hour or two of social harmony, but because it had been his good fortune to become acquainted with the honoured guest of the evening, and to have found in him a courteous and kindly gentleman with whom it had been a pleasure to confer on matters of interest and importance to all. (Applause.) He apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr. Davies, station superintendent, who had requested him to convey to Mr. Owen his cordial greeting. and best wishes for a pleasant journey, an enjoyable sojourn in the countries he was about a visit, and a safe return to this best of all lands. These good wishes, he assured Mr. Owen, were heartily endorsed by Mr. Harris, the general manager of the Broadcasting Companv, and by his fellow officers of 2YA, who had been privileged to come into contact with him. He esteemed it an honour to be the representative of the company at this function, and in that capacity would take the opportunity of touching briefly upon some matters of mutual interest, and of interest to the great army of listeners renresented by this gathering. He judged by the sentiments expressed by the gentlemen who had spoken, and by the company’s reception of those sentiments, that there was no gentleman in this room who was not sincerely desirous that this new and wonderful power of radio should be made to serve the community to the uttermost of its capabilities Personally, the longer and more closely he was in touch with this medern marvel the mote was he im-. pressed by its seemingly limitless poteritialities. In a sense they were dealing with an unknown quantity. So much they know, but more, far more, was as yet unrevealed. Perforce, therefore, thev were constrained to act within the limits of their knowledge, to profit by the lessons of practical experience, and to push steadily forward along the lines which prudent judgment, based on knowledge and experience, secmed to warrant. This was what the company was zealously and honestly striving to do. (Applause.) The company was moving consistently and steadily ahead, carefully watching every step and studiously avoiding doubtful expedients resort to which, though apparently of momentary henefit, might bequeath to the company and to listeners, legacies of disappointment and regret. By the pursuance of this policy the comnany had heen able to escane soine of the pitfalls that had hefallen broadcasting in other parts of the world. As an evidence of what has been achieved, and of.the bona fides of the company’s efforts from the heginning, he reminded them that while the original agreement under which the company held its license called for the erection of a half-kilowat station at Wellington, the company installed a 5kilowat station, the plant being the best that money could buy. Their transmitting station was no mere corrugated iron makeshift, but a substantial and imposing land mark, conspicuous to all visitors to Wellington, and in creditable keeping with the progressiveness of the city. The Progranumes, He was aware that froin their point of view, "the play’s the thing,’ the play in this case heing the programme. Well} what about it? Criticism there had been and still was, and, inevitably, criticism there always would be so long as human nature remained what it was, and so long as radio was called upon to cater at one and the same time for all classes and all tastes. (Hear, hear.)

© Surely, then, it was not presumptuons to ask that criticism should be tempered by reason, and that fair allowance should be made for a form of public entertainment so singularly capped. If they looked at the programmes of, say, 2YA from this equitable point of view, must they not concede that there had been a noticeable, almost remarkable measure of continuous improvement both in quality and variety? Aithough. the station had not been in speration ior twelve months, several unique broadcasts had been made, amongst these being the Tasman. flight and the Maori Radio Pageant. Leading talent, formerly not heard more than ‘ence or twice a year in Wellington, was now heard regularly from 2YA. Vocal and instrumental music of ‘the highest standard was broadcast daily. To the big listening public had been introduced probably the finest instrumental trio that has ever per formed in Australasia, and, as has been mentioned by previous speakers, the company now proposed to increase this trio to an orchestra, which, he was authorised to assure them, would consist of the finest instrumentalists it was possible to obtain in this Dominion. He had no hesitation in saying that listeners could look forward to the coming winter as one to be filled with many. hours of good and bright music. (Loud applause.) In this connection they would be pleased to learn that the company intended during the winter to introduce a dinner music session bv changing the children’s hour from six to seven to five to six, and making the six to seven hour one for the broadcasting of instrumerital music. This music would he of the subdued tvne, and would be electrically reproduced from special records that the companv was arranging to procure. It would, in fact, be pureIv and simply dinner music, and the session would be conducted without ane nouncement of any kind. Other Developments. Other important developments, ine cluding the institution of a regular edue cational session organised in co-onera-tion with the Department of Education were also in contemplation. It was it} assisting to shape the course of progressive development so as to afford the maximum satisfaction attainable tc the great majority, that the companv’s public relations scheme’ was destined to plav an important part. An outline of that scheme had heen published, and he need not detain them with details of the pronosa's, Suffice it to say that it was hoped that the scheme when in operation would result in substantial benefit to ail concerned, end, in particular, to the listeners, whose best interests it was the compativ’s earnest desire to serve. e The official listening posts cannot do other than make for improved reception in all parts of the Dominion, while the consultative committees, now actually. in process ,of constitution, should do much towards satisfving the public that the programmes hroadeast are in truth the best that can te devised and pro-« duced, and that they represent not only the best artistry procurable within the limitations to which the company is subjected, but that in their form, character and presentation they are in the considered judgement of widely-renre-sentative authorities. the most suitable’ it is practicable to design for the purpose of broadcasting entertainment. A very enjoyable evening was tere minated by tributes heing paid the chairman, Mr. Levy, and the secretary, Mr. Leslie Jones. During the evening items were giveti by Mr. Byron Brown and Mr. R. Leslie: Jones ms