Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 28, 24 January 1930, Page 11

Our Mail Bag

‘ Will correspondents please practice brevity, as heavy demands are now made on space. All letters must be signed and address given as proof of genuineness; noms de plume for publication are permitted. Address correspondence Editor, "Radio Record," P.O. Box :1082, Wellington.

S a number of unsigned letters have reached us lately, we wish to advise the writers and others that such efforts represent wasted labour. Letters must be signed as evidence of bonafides, but nom-de-plumes are permitted. If false names are given the result is the same as if no name had been given. The desire for anonymity seems to have a relationship with the strength of the writer’s views on certain topics. While our columns are open for fair expression of views and criticism of anything connected with radio, we. will not consciously provide cover for splenetic snipers, who, if desirous "of publicity, are advised to both modify their language and sign their names. It is also not advisable for the one individual to send in several letters under "aliases."-Editor. Sports Service. . ‘HE disappointment felt locally at the curtailment of the sporting service from 2YA is very keen, as numerous listeners from this district make a practice of tuning in 2YA on Saturday evenings at 10.45 for the daily results. We will never forget the splendid service provided listeners by the 2YA when the HWnglish cricket eleven toured Australia last year. It-is a great pity that the company has decided on curtailing this service, for they have worked it up from practically.. nothing, and it was until recently one of the bright features of

2YA-

F.

Herron

(Oamaru).

Other Points of View. I NOTICED, with some disgust, the many listeners protesting by letter in your last week’s paper against the partial discontinuance of the announc-

ing of racing results. Should these few so-called sports in any way induce the R.B.C. to reconsider their decision I would urge the latter to adhere to the course they have so wisely adopted. I say wisely, because even to the usual listener, their action is justifiable and praiseworthy. Have you, Sir, ever ‘paused to consider -the underlying motives prompting the letters of protest? I will endeavour to outline a few. Perhaps only one person in ten thousand in New Zealand is interested in horse racing, solely and undeniably as a sport, By this I do not mean to imply that every follower of race meetings all over New Zealand is prompted wholly by avaricious desire to enrichhimself beyond his wildest dreams. Not at all. I have mentioned previously the percentage that are not. Again, such people must lay their bets with bookmakers, .and thus render themselves liable to prosecution. Do the broadeast stations of New Zealand realise that they are, although legally, aiding these illicit practices? Again, I have often heard announced from 2YA the names of horses likely to run well- at an impending race meeting. What effect will this have on the youth of the country? Surely this practice is so obviously out of keeping with the usually high moral tone of broadcasts emanating from the New 4Zealand stations, as to render further comment unnecessary? To mention another point-when lis: tening to some of the really good musieal entertainments provided by 2YA during the afternoons, it is very annoying to have a record such as Beethoven’s "Moonlight Sonata" spoilt by an announcement at its conclusion concerning. the winner of the fourth race

= «-_ nel at Kaitangata. Ifthe result must be given, once a day is quite sufficient. In conclusion, I hope my protest will have some slight influence’ in the ultimate realisation of a broadcast service expunged of everything likely to prove derogatory to the morals of New Zea-

land

Pro Bono Publico

(Petone)_

KINDLY allow me space to endorse the remarks of correspondents in. this week’s issue of the "Radio Record" concerning the sports’ service. given by 2YA during the holidays. As a South Island listener, I can assure the company that the summary was greatly appreciated by us all down here, and the time for its presentation on the air (10.45 p.m.) was most suitable. I have closely followed the 2YA’s sporting announcer’s reviews and’ information. now for several. months, and I will tell the world "he can deliver the goods," One pleasing. item in the "Radio Record" is that 2YA will broadeast results of the Wellington meeting. We hear music everyday, the same old announcements, soprano solos, orchestral. selections, baritone solo, etc., until one gets sick of it. Sporting news is eagerly awaited by hundreds.

Majestic

(Oamaru)

{[t appears that those interested in racing results are desirous of running 2YA, and they seem to think that the sole object of the station’s existence. should be to give such results. The term "sporting" as they use it, is. intended to indicate that they want results of all’ kinds of sport. But’ there is only one kind of sport for those who want the racing results. The threat to discontinue Listening if racing results are not available is mere bluff, because once a: person becomes used to listening-in it will take more than that to make him discontinue. No exception is taken. to the broadcasting of results, but they are not more important than music except to. those who have their money on; results are wanted quickly by only the smaller majority of listeners; dissatisfaction is not general in this respect. Dissatisfaction.is -evident, however, in regard to. Wellington’s Silent day, and the quality of the broadcasting of the dinner music. It is high time that.the silent day was eliminated... If not, then 1YA’s and 83YA’s power should be increased to at least 1000 watts. And we should: have a small orchestra to play dinner music. The records are either mostly old ones or they are not properly transmitted. Surely with 50,000 licenses, a small orchestra could be engaged.-I

am, ete.,

P.

H.

Palmerston North.