"This Most Joyous Work"

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 33, 28 February 1930, Page 12

"This Most Joyous Work"

Uncle George and the Children’s Session [THE Rev. George Coats, "Uncle George," who is leaying New Zealand on a visit to England, attended, for the last time prior to his dpparture, the meeting of the IXYA Ohildren’s Session Advisory Committee, held on Tuesday, Rebruary 18. He then resigned ‘his position as chairman, and in doing so he expressed himself very feelingly concerning his association with the com-. mittee, the children’s session, and the Broadcasting Company. In the course of his remarks he said: "I regret very much the necessity which has arisen for my withdrawing, for a period at any rate, from the activities of this committee, and from the very joyous work of entertaining the children. It has been my great privilege and a very grent pleasure to me to have been associated with the children’s work. I consider it to be the most important part of the listening side of radio, and nat the lenst yaluahle, Particularly in some parts is radio considered just for the children’s session alone, and does matter very much. All those who have been aetually engaged in the work of the children’s session have realised to the full the responsibility which has devolved upon each of us in turn in catering for the child mind, which is highly imaginative and very susceptible; there is no doubt whatever that they do in time come to look upon us as their uncles and aunts indeed. I regret very much having to break this link, but none the less have been looking forward for years to this trip abroad, and the time has come when one is obliged to lay down this most joyous work, which I do with considerable regret," Mr. Coats went on to refer to the Broadeasting Company's appreciation of his work, and he added: "I am not going to lose my tonch with 1¥A. J am so interested in children’s work that I am going to make it my duty to learn all I can of the work in other cauntries and with my otvn limited capacity for writing, put it into words which will be sent forward to the organiser to be given to the children from time to time." Those present at the meeting were: Rey. George Coats, "Tnele George": Mr. 'T. T. Garland. "Uncle Tom": Miss Jean Begg (National Council of Women); Rev. L. B. Busfield (Sunday School Union); Mv. YD, W. Faiean. "Unele David’: Mr. L. C. Barnes (station director); Miss RR. Palmer (children’s organiser). Apologies for absence were received from Rey. LL, B. Metcher, Mr. V.'™. Drew. Mr. BE. V. Hudson and Myr. Abbott. The Rev. . B. Busfield was elected chairman in succersion to the Rev. G. Coats, and Mr. D. W. Faigan, M.A., was welcomed as 4 ne melo "Unele David."