A Voice Without a Body

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 51, 5 July 1929, Page 9

A Voice Without a Body

How Publicity is Engineered

IDICAL history records some ex.traordinary cases of the revival of apparent corpses. A case now current in Auckland radio history of a somewhat similar occurrence is causing a good deal of amusement in certain circles. ‘The activity of what was known as the "Auckland Listeners’ League" will be familiar to those who for. some years haye been interested in radio. It will be remembered that this organisation, which, by the way, seemed always to be of a somewhat nebulous character in that a subscription of 1s. per annum entitled the general public to membership, was formerly much in the limelight by reason of the vitriolic criticism directed by it towards the broadeasting organisation in general. Several famous meetings were held in Auckland, the last prominent public one being some fifteen months ago. This was somewhat in the nature of a voleanic upheaval, after which a long period of quiet prevailed. THIS quietness was generally regarded as a presage of death-so much so that recently a meeting of the exeecutive was convened to arrange the "funeral obsequies." These were progressing to finality, all arrangements as to winding up being practically completed, when one member, who, by reason of his -association with a certain newspaper, was always able to give the League the publicity it enjoyed in its prime, walked into the room. On being informed cof the position, he is understood to have ejaculated: "Oh, damn it all, we won’t wind up yet. We will have another fling." He was able to instil sufficient life into the apparent corpse, as it were, to have the winding-up resolution shelved and

arrangements made for a deputation, behind closed doors, to wait upon the Postmaster-General. In due course a report appeared in the daily press to the effect that a deputation from the Auckland: Listeners’ League had waited upon the Post-master-General and had submitted to him their views and had, it was understood, extracted from him a promise that no variation or renewal of the broadcasting arrangements would be entertained without their being submitted to the Auckland Listeners’ League. © ND that’s that. It is just as well that listeners should be given this little insight as to how publicity can be engineered. The Auckland Listeners’ League is apparently a voice without a body. *What its membership is has never been made public. That, however, would not seem to be a material point. So long as a title can be secured and an aggressive spirit imparted, those with the necessary outlet through the Press ean give the appearance of a virile organisation. qj contrast to the "League," the Auckjand Amateur Radio Society has actively built a genuine membership of those interested in furthering the cause of radio. This body is in a healthy state, comprising a membership of capable euthusiasts who are desirous of encouraging the constructional and technical side of radio as well as giving due attention to programme improvement. Recently a special concert was arranged by the Auckland Amateur Radio Society for broadcast by 1YA, and a further special concert is to be given in the comparatively near future. By co-operation. with 1YA, the Radio Society hopes to render service to radio.