1YA Church Committee

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 3, 3 August 1928, Page 57

1YA Church Committee

‘P HE development of the service rendered to the general public by broadcasting throughout the world during recent years has come about so rapidly. and naturally that most people are apt to overlook the network of organisation that has to be arranged. Behind all the service given, there is a constant reaching out after better and stil] better results, and the marvel is that so much has been accomplished in such a short space ‘of time. Four years ago the Beresford Street Congregational Church, Auckland, had i. church service relayed through 1YB Station, this being the first church service to be relayed in New Sealand. There was a great deal of excitement experienced by all who had anything to do with the trial. The range was naturally limited, but the result was quite satisfactory enough to warrant further trials. Now the broadcasting of church services from all centres is such a regular and effective thing that it is hard to realise that four short. years ago it was an excelting novelty in the Dominion. (GRADUALLY all denominations have taken advantage of this means of reaching those who cannot, or do not, go to church, and the thousands of Jetters that have been received by the various preachers, not only from people in New Zealand, but from the islands of the Pacific, from Australia, and even from America, show conclusively how this service rendered by the Broadcasting Company is appreciated. On March 30, 1928, a conference of representatives from several religious denominations was called in Auckland by the Radio Broadcasting Company of N.Z., Limited, with the object of forming an Advisory Committee which would assist the company in handling the broadcasting of church — services. This conference was attendeed by:Revs. H, M. Smyth (Church of England), UW. Moryison-Sutherland (Presbyterian), Ddward Drake (Methodist), Joseph W. Kemp (Baptist), Lionel B. Fletcher (Congregational); and Mr. PD. Donaldson (Church of." Christ), while the Broadcasting Company was represented by Messrs. (. S. Booth, 8. J. Hayden, and Culford Bell, HE rules and constitution of the Church Service Committee were adopted, and the committee was forthwith constituted, the only alteration in the church representation . being that Rev. E. Nicholls has taken the place of Rev. Joseph W. Kemp as the Baptist representative. The first question that had: to be dealt with was the allocation of Sundays for broadcasting for each denomination. This proved to be a knotty problem, -. However, the members of the committee rose. to the occasion, and finally an allocation was made which was unanimously adopted to Athe general satisfaction of all the def nominations concerned. 7 That first conference; and the committee meetings since, have proved the wisdom of the company in making the coustitution of this committee possible. The general body of listeners and the religious denominations, as well as the Broadcasting Company, are .repre-

‘sented, and the various interests are carefully safeguarded and served. (THE application of religious bodies not represented on the committee are received and carefully considered, und recommendations are made to the company. One such recommendation was adopted on the. morning of July 1, when the morniug service was broudcast from the Auckland Uniturian Church. The meetings of the committee have been of a very harmonious nature, in spite of the fact that on occasions very definitely opposing views have been expressed by members. But the final verdict has always represented a generous and sincere attempt ta adjust very delicate questions, so that justice shall be done and the work of the Kingdom of God served to the best advantage.

LIONEL

B. FLETCHER

Chairman,

1YA Chureh Service Committee.