Great Radio Election Service

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 13, 23 November 1928, Unnumbered Page

Great Radio Election Service

T= broadcast of the election results on November 14 will undoubtedly go down in radio history as the most sensational and outstanding public service so far given by radio in New Zealand. Allowing an average of approximately 6 people to the set-and in the backblocks and country _ districts, where hundreds would be invited to listen, this average would be low- it seems certain that not less than quarter of a million people, but more likely half a million, would know the full results directy by radio on that evening. : The course of events swept aside some part of the planned programme. The demeanour of the crowd outside the "Dominion" newspaper building was not: favourable to permitting the Prime Minister to deliver his remarks in such form as to be most perfectly audible to listeners. Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. H. E. Holland. leaders of the United and Labour Parties respectively, were unable to be present, although definite invitation was extended. Each preferred to be in his own electorate on the occasion. . : PARTICULARLY good work was done by the Electoral Department, under the Registrar-General, and by the Post and Telegraph Department respectively, in compiling and forwarding the results. The organisation for making these results available to listeners with the utmost rapidity was effective, and as a result a record, we think, was established, in that by five past one on Thursday morning the actual position of the 80 seats was known and a summary of the party strength available.

ITH the closing of the polling-booths at 7 o’clock, it was expected that early results would be available within a few minutes of that hour. Accordingly the full staff necessary for coping with the position was on hand before 7 o’clock. The organisation prepared was as follows: In the electoral office, situated in the Post and Telegraph Department, provision was made for a direct telephone into the office of the "Radio Record," and other newspapers interested. ‘A number of direct telephone wires were also installed from important local booths to the "Dominion" newspaper, office, the object here being to avoid delay in the receipt of local results. For the purpose of informing the crowd assembled outside the building, a loudspeaker system, installed by Standard Telephones, Limited, was linked up with the 2YA broadcasting

System, so that all announcements put over the air were also heard by the huge crowd assembled at the junction of the three streets outside the | "Dominion." This area proved admirable for handling a big concourse, and at an early hour was absolutely packed with humanity. An estimate only can be given of the strength of the crowd, but it is believed that it would range from 20,000 to 25,000 people. Newspapers

in other parts, notably, the "Star," Auckland, "‘The Lyttelton Times,"’ Christchurch, and others followed the same idea and enabled some crowds of thousands of people to hear 2YA. OING on the air at 7 o’clock, a general announcement was made covering the poll and arrangements effected. _ At 7.14 the first result was to hand--a small booth in Wellington South. For half an hour. following scattered results only were received, but at about 8 o’clock, as anticipated, a steady rush developed, which was maintained practically without cessation till nearly 10 o’clock. Two telephones covering both local results and the telegraphic results received from the Postal Department, were busily occupied with scarcely a breathing-space. As a result, the slips of paper recording each result steadily mount-

ed in front of the announcer. Infected by — the enthusiasm of the moment and the sight of the accumulation ahead of him, the announcer at this stage, it is feared, somewhat accelerated his rate of delivery, with the result that a number of telephone rings were received requesting a slightly slower pace, to permit of results being recorded. It is trusted that no undue inconvenience Was occasioned listeners by the rapidity with which these results were given at this stage. Listeners must appreciate the fact that the conditions were strenuous, and the desire was to attain the greatest rapidity possible in disseminating the news. The Crowd Addressed. T intervals successful and unsuccessful candidates in the Wellington seats appeared to address the crowd from the bal-

. econy of "The Dominion" News- © paper Building. On such oecasions a special microphone installed on the balcony was used. The noises of the crowd-the applause, the cheering, the booing, as the attitude to the candidate dictated-were con.veyed over the air to listeners, thus. transporting. them in effect to the scene itself. Of course, while these speeches were going out, accumulations -(Continued on page 2.)

Advance the Radio Banner. QCORES of letters and telegrams have flowed in to the Broadcasting Company conveying congratulations upon the successful demonstration given on election night of the value of radio. The keynote of most of these letters, particularly those from the country. where neighbours were invited in, was the "eye-opener" the evening was as. to the utility and : value of radio. This atmosphere ‘offers a splendid opportunity to dealers everywhere to "advance the Radio banner."

‘(Continued from page 1.) of results were taking place. At every break in the speech-making, attack would be resumed on the results. Periodically, as opportunity offered and any breathing-space. occurred, a description was given of the crowd. From 10 o’clock onwards the pressure eased to some extent, and final returns, instead of progress reports, became more prolific. At this stage the defeat of the Government became clear, and the demonstrations of a large Labour element in the crowd outside, at each successive Labour victory, became pronounced. As the majority of Labour successés were won in compact constituencies with good facilities for communication, their results tended to be available earlier than those of scattered rural constituencies. The effect of this was that in the early evening Labour at one stage held 14 seats, while Reform had but 7. Gradually, however, as returns from distant constituencies came in, the Government Party began to creep up, draw level with, and finally substantially pass, the Labour total. The race with United for supremacy continued neck and neck throughout the evening, until finally at five past one in the morning a last result-a dead-heat as it appeared then -was announced.

In the Thick of the cay from some points of view, those in the thick of the fray were too close to describe the result from the listener’s point of view. It is hoped, however, that listeners were able to receive the information readily and successfully, and follow the fluctuating fortunes of war with clearness. Substantially the same organisation as that described in respect of 2YA and "The Dominion" newspaper was repeated in the other’ centres. In Auckland gratitude must be conveyed to the "New Zealand Herald" newspaper for its co-operation; in Christchurch to the "Lyttelton Times" for its help; and in Dunedin to the "Hvening Star" and the "Otago Daily Times." The result of the cooperation between the newspaper Press and the radio service was of distinct advantage to listeners, by placing them in an unrivalled position for prompt knowledge. One novelty of the evening was the passing of a radio motion-the first in New Zealand history-at approximately 9 o’clock: This took the form in

effect of an appeal to unlicensed listeners to recognise their obligations to licensed listeners, and enrol, so that the extra revenue thus ‘der ivable should be available for improvement of the radio service to the benefit of all concerned.

Complete Broadcast by IYA

N Christchurch, the part that radio. played on election night was demonstrated to a remarkable degree. There were few receiving sets idle in the city on that occasion, even people in proximity to the Square preferring to listen-in rather than stand in the crowd before the results boards. Yet that concourse was enormous. From the "Lyttelton Times" building to the Cathedral was a dense mass of humanity, with all faces turned towards the result boards before the newspaper offices, and with ears listening intenzly to the loudspeakers. ° All results came from 2YA by radio, and the neweaper offices took full advantage of the opportunity. 38YA worked in with the "Lyttelton Times," whose news-°athering service, especially in the matter of local results, was organised to the last word. Local and Dominion results were broadcast within a few seconds of their reception at the office. And how was it all done? . For the occasion, one of the typesetting rooms became "Station 3YA." All announcements and practically all the operating was done from there. This room was on the Square frontage. Outside the window was the platform on which was the lantern. As results were received a ecard was sent to the writer of the lantern slides, who was at a table near the announcer, to whom the card was then passed. In this way results were broadeast to listeners before they appeared on the Screen, and the cheers of the crowd followed. OUDSPEAKERS also conveyed the news to the crowd in the street, and these same loudspeakers magnified the voices of the candidates when returning thanks. A cordial invitation to speak had been sent by the Broadcasting Company to all candidates, and there was a generous response. All the candidates spol from the plat-

form in front of the results board of the "Lyttelton Times." Two microphones had been installed there, one for the purpose of the loudspeakers, and the other for broadcasting to listeners. . It was not by any means a safe "possie," this platform in front of the results board. An announcer found that out early in the evening, when endeavouring to introduce the "crowd" effect into the evening broadcast. In Christchurch there is a limit to the period that an egg will keep fresh, and it would seem that a culling out takes place on election day, when the owners hastily get rid of those not wanted. HERE was a mass of radio apparatus transported by 3YA to the "Lyttelton Times" office-batteries, amplifiers, microphones, a "mixer" for the microphones; in fact, a complete exchange. There were three pairs of telephone lines from the studio operating room to the "Lyttelton Times." From the switches’ these lines ran to four microphones. Alonz one line from 3YA the complete 2YA transmission was reeeived, and it was possible to put it on the air at any moment. This was done several times during the evening, notably in the case of the Prime Minister’s speech, and of the resolution moved and carried concerning the unsnortsmanlike action of using unlicensed sets. It was possible to put any transmission on the air without using the loudspeakers in the street, or to use the street loudspeakers without broadcasting on the air, if that were desired. It was also possible to communicate from the street micronhones to the temporary studio, and a telephone connected the temnorary studio with 3YA, Altogether, it was an intricate lay-out of wires. .

Appreciated in Auckland

‘THE trans-Tasman flight, the Armistice Day rebroadcast, and other important events in New Zealand radio history drew crowds round every loudspeaker in the Dominion, but never yet has there been that coneourse that swarmed wherever there was a radio set on Wednesday evening. The public were quick td recognise that the best way in which to receive earliest news of elections was to have recourse to the excellent radio service provided by the Broadeasting Company. It is rather a pity that they did not also recognise that there was some obligation upon them to assist that service by becoming licensees themselves. Perhaps that aspect will appeal to them now that the excitement of the contest has simmered down. If the New Zealand radio service needed a good advertisement it secured it last week, for as far as conveyance of results was concerned, the 1928 one was essentially a radio election. K\VEN to Aucklanders, Wellington was the premier station on Wednesday night, and during the later hours 1YA tuned in and rebroadcast 2YA, so that provincial listeners here could hear all the latest details from the capital city. Conditions were firstclass for the effort, and no set-owner could complain that he was not served. with the greatest efficiency. The pandemonium which occurred following the Prime Minister’s appearance at "The Dominion" office, provided a most vivid

demonstration of the vividness w*% which broadcasting can convey imprés= sions, but the noise itself was‘ generally regretted, for everyone was agog to hear the head of the Government and what he had to say after 4 most exhausting campaign. ~¢ HE local newspapers found the radio service a great help in the quickness with which it provided them with results. Hach office kept a constant listening service upon 2YA, and, as figures were given out from that station, they were rushed on to the various scréening devices for the information of assembled street crowds. Through a "public address" outfit supplied by Radio, Ltd., to the Auckland "Star," 2YA itself was made audible to a crowd of at least 15,000, the announcer’s voice ‘carrying distinctly to all of them. This is probably the biggest crowd that has ever listened in New Zealand to the output of one receiver. They greatly appreciated the successful innovation.

Listeners Grateful

Taken to Morere. PERMIT me to congratulate you ana the Radio Broadcasting Company. on your election night broadcasting achievement. You practically brought the "Dominion" building to my lounge at the Morere Hot Springs Hotel, and my many guests had nothing but praise to express on the wonderful manner in which the results and the proceedings were: broadcast. Wishing you every ‘success, and trust you will be rewarded, if only to bring those on the "mat" who are receiving without ) being licensed.-B. B. Shortt (Mo-/ rere). | Even Heard a Whisper. LEASE accept mine, and friends’, appreciation, of your radio service on election night. To put it mildly, it was magnificent. We picked you up at 7.15 p.m., and we did not miss one single word until you closed down. (We ever heard someone whisper to the announcer about a telegram and Ward!) The numbered list was a great boon, and, taken all through, everything was O.K. Reception was perfect, there being not a blemish all the evening, and to those friends wha listened-in it was an eye-opener. I feel I cannot let the occasion pass without thanking you and your staff, especially the announcer, for .your efforts.-C. H. Cleaver (Reefton). HAVE been tempted on several occasions in the past to write to your valuable paper, to thank the Broadcasting Company for a specially fine performance, but these have been so

often that I would have been writing $~i00 often, and as I am not given to letter writing for publication I have refrained, but I felt after the way . the election results were ‘put over, in common fairness, we, the listeners, should show our appreciation. If evéxy one who was listening in hearel it as tlearly as I did, then I am sure you will be getting quite a number of such letters. The announcer deserves the highest praise for the way he kept the listeners entertained practically without a break, with election results and music, from 7 p.m. till lam I have been listening in from the inception of the new station 2YA, and I can assure you I am one of the many satisfied listeners. There have been many outstanding broadcasts from 2YA and the other three stations, .particularly the Maori pageant, flight of the Southern Cross, and, in fact, many others. I feel that a repetition of the Maori pageant broadcast would be greatly appreciated by all listeners.-Satisfied Listener. : Pleased at Kaikoura. ‘ey sending the enclosed list of names of a few peonle here in Kaikoura who were more than pleased at the broadeast of election results, I might say that no matter what political party was successful, the Radio Broaicasting Company was triumphant in its efforts to convey to the people of New Zealand the results of the nolling as soon as it was humanly possible. I was running two sets on demonstration last night, and had a big crowd round both till the very last minute of 2YA’s closing down. Throughout the broadcast of the results it was plain to us here that the great.crowd in Wellington was listening to your voice and not watching the results board, as the cheers always followed your announcemrent of results. Thanking you

once again for this service, and alsu for the wonderful Tasman flight broad‘ast, which also drew a big crowd.L. Workman (Licensed radio dealer, Kaikoura). {Then follows a long list of listeners thanking the company for the servic? given on election night.-Kd. | Asked the Neighbours In. IK listened-in to the election returns last night, with twelve neighbours, and wish to say how much we appreciated the well-organised evening. The reception was excellent, and our thanks are all for Mr. Announcer, who we all realised had a most strenuous time. An evening like this does more for radio in the backblocks than anything else---R. W. Wallace (Kakatahi),