England's Prime Minister in New York

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 26, 10 January 1930, Page 7

England's Prime Minister in New York

rere Broadcast of Arrival ~ pan recent arrival of England's Prime Minister, Mr, Ramsay Mac: Donald, in New York, was the occasion of a very successful world-wide broad: cast.: The following is an interesting ‘account (appearing in the "Manchester Guarding") of the reception, and of the \ elaborate preparations made to ensure the success of the broadcast :- . ¥Vhen the Berengaria drew.into New’ ¥prk harbour with Mr, Ramsay,» Macald aboard, the hooting of sirens and the shouting of huge crowds vibrated on the microphone on the quayside. and a vivid impression of the city’s réception to the Prime Minister. "was broadcast to. the world,- If noise was any indication it was indeed a great reception, for the announcer’s voice was almost drowned in the uproar; and even the strains of the military band (whch, said the announcer, "oughten make a thrill run up your back’) was hardly distinguishable, It was a "good old: New York welcome," and by the sound of. it they do things well in New York. But noise was not everything; according to the announcer-whose voice came through clearly in‘the intervals of comparative quiet-there was colour. as Well, the light dress of the crowd adding to the splendour of the military escort, "with its neat white leggings," and ‘the hun- . dreds. of police. One could almost see the thousands of streamers thrown over the proces: sion from the quay: to the City Hall; and-again quoting the very entertain-: ing 4 is a good job Broadway is so narrow, making it easy. to clean up afterwards." There must have been several microphones at work, for after the landing of. the party a, glimpse was given of the arrival at thie City Hall, the welcome in the’ aldetmanic chambers; andthe public recep ‘ tion in the great hall. There was music aud shouting everywhere, and uproar: ious laughter, too. That was when the reader of the scroll of welcome descriled Mr. MacDonald ag "Prime Minister’ of the United States," After shouting and laughter had died down the speak: ° er corrected himself by saying, "I was | 0. expressing a hope." , MaeDonald’s voice was excep: distinct and impressive, the ’ ly fault being that he lowered. his: tbnes too much at the end of a sentence, and the microphone could not always catch them. Particularly impress... sive were his opening eloquent remarks. that he had come "on a_ mission. :of.peace," and that the two nations were. roadmenders paving the way for their children and grand-children, "Wher: ;. ever the work of God is to be done, we. shall be side by side in the doing of. that work." he said, and the cheers that 4 greeted this remark: must ‘have re-.. sounded round the world. If only. from a technical point of view, the broadcast was a success, —