The Past Year in Review

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 26, 10 January 1930, Page 30

The Past Year in Review

Suggested I mprovements HB past year has witnessed many changes connected with radio broadeasting, both in New Zealand and Australia; chief of which was the opening of the new 4YA at Dunedin. The most important event outside New Zealand was the inauguration of the New Broadeasting Company in Australia. The future looks bright for radio, especially during the next winter, ,as owners of efficient receivers will rll ample entertainment from Austra), an stations, to say nothing about New Zealand stations. Again, with shortwave work, there will be plenty of stations to. tune-in almost any hour of the day and night. Regarding New Zealand "stations; whilst there has been ‘improvement in programmes, there is still plenty of room for further improvement; and doubtless with the increased revenue from licenses, the Radio Broadcasting Company will seé fit to offer bigger fees to artists, thereby attracting better performers to the "mike." The relay from Otaki during the festive season did not disgrace the company. The courtesy of the staff at 2YA deserves special mention; and the efforts of the announcer, Mr. Clive Drummond, at 2YA, merit the thanks of all listeners, his duties having been earried out efficiently throughout the. year. The children’s ‘sessions have created considerable good-will with the youngsters, and like many other parents. I have sat with my children and listened to several sessions, I can assure the Aunts and Uncles that their work at the "mike" is delightful to both children and parents, and, as predicted by me some years ago, has: proved the foundation stone of radio. ’ There have been times when one’s teeth were on edge when listening to various artists from the YA stations; and I sincerely hope fewer amateuts © and more accomplished artists are "billed" to appear during the year 1930. The "Radio Record" is almost indispensable to the city listener, and is, in point of fact, wholly indispensable to country listeners, a wealth of information being made available to listeners: the "Mail Bag" section and ]so the short-wave notes by Mr. Sell¢ns, being two important features of the "Radio Record." The notes, "Ravio Round the World," also notes ‘by "Switch," are excellent. I regret to have to complain again about the "mikes," but it strikes me very forcibly that several of the "microphones" at 2YA should be either scrapped or handed over to the makers for investigation. The work of the "Hams" in New Zealand has been very fine indeed, { and considerable pleasure has been de- — rived from this particular section of th» transmitters. The "Hams" have spent a large sum in advancing radio, and also given many hours of time towards what is fast becoming more than a hobby with them, without monetary reward, Cheerio to Radioland. -hy Leslie Jones ( Wellington).