Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 30, 6 February 1931, Page 9

Our Mail Bag

While we welcome the expressed.‘views of listeners on topics pertaining to radio, we ask that. these communications be kept to minimum length, as heavy demands are made upon space. Mere reiteration of arguments cannot be accepted for publication, and we cannot take responsibility for views expressed. Address communications to the Editor, and sign all correspondence, though a nom-de-plume might be used for publication.

American Programmes. ‘ye was with great interest that I read the criticism of the International Programmes as broadcast from 2YA. My opinion of the programme was that it was quite a change from the usual type, and that is what 2YA’s programmes have been ‘lacking. I noticed several letters ‘criticising the American accent or drawl, especially _ one by "Hnglish Mother." In the first place, I suggest that every set is fitted with an "on off" switch which can be used to cut out wndesirable pro- . grammes, Secondly, these international programmes take up only one hour of 2YA’s time in a week, so surely it would not harm the listeners who dislike this type of entertainment to Switch off or tune in elsewhere, as here are others to be considered. ‘To wsne who tunes:in these American stations ‘and listens direct, it is quite a change to hear a static free entertainment. At present the proportion of American jazz from 2YA is very small, being four hours.a week compared to 11 hours of classical, so what have the classics to. grumble about--A. D. Rogers (Wellington). ; "Absolute Tosh." [* Monday (January 19) evening’s broadeast programme (up till 9 p.m.). ‘is typical of what Wednesday’s 2YA programme will be, then I can only suggest that 2YA remains silent on Wednesday as at present. The items were neither edifying nor humorous, and it was painful’ enough listening _ to the dreadful accent, but, worst of all, t0 my mind, was hearing Mr. Ball, -in his tones, talk of eowboy," "bronco-busting," and "hotdog stand." Must one have this class of programme thrust on one willynilly? The dialogue was absolute tosh, and an insult to one’s intelligence.M.T, (Pahiatua). [Your statements appear to be echoed by many New Zealand listeners. The. programme in question, however, is not typical of those to be broadcast each Wednesday evening by 2YA, but rather of the usual run of entertainment dispensed by the majority of American stations. The programmes arranged for Wednesday evenings from 2YA, however, are reeordings of entertainments provided by some of America’s most powerful broadcast stations, and represent in effect the best that country has to offer. -Hd.] ; Market Reports. How long, oh Lord, how long must . we endure our daily dose-I mean Bag the market reports. That we must get it blared into our ears that sheep are 8d., that there were further buyers for New Zealand Breweries, and that the cheese market is unchanged, and

so on and so forth every evening, is surely over the odds. I suggest, Mr. Editor, that if a station in the North Island and a station in the South gave half an hour’s recorded items during the time now taken up with market reports and similar dry rubbish, or, worse still, silence, listeners would find it an extremely welcome change. The commercial crowd and the stock dealers could tune in to. the other station in their island. Nearly all of the farming community have, and perforce must have, powerful sets. News likely to be of local interest could with véry little trouble be given in the half-hour of news that is still left. A good idea would be to work schedules in alternate order, thus: Monday, 2YA half-hour news, half-hour music; 1YA news. Tuesday, 2YA news; 1YA half-hour news, halfhour music. And so forth through the week. Similar arrangements could be made for the South Island, but it might be a good idea to'have music in the first half of the session instead of the last, so that listeners under good. conditions might have a whole hour’s music, A little arithmetic will show that only 25 per cent. of the news time is sacrificed for a 100 per cent. return. -H. Wiggins (Waipukurau). For the Defence. 'THERD appeared in this week’s "Record" several letters complaining about the recorded American programmes. I at least appreciate the R.B.C.’s effort in procuring these programmes for us. Up here we enjoyed the "sample" programme very much, although one elocutionary number was scarcely suitable, but if those complaining listeners had listened to Mr. Ball they would have heard him explain that that Monday’s programme had not been specially selected as the Wednesday ones will.

_ ."English Mother" with several youngsters to bring up should realise that the said youngsters should either be in bed at the hour the programmes are presented, or if up should be old enough not to allow the "terrible" accent to have any effect on themselves, even if it could. None of these grousing listeners will lose anything, as they can shut off their sets on Wednesday nights, as they have up to the present, and not worry their "narrow" minds about 2YA. How-

ever, here we look forward to these programmes with much anticipation, especially now that the Hawke’s Bay "B" stations have closed.-‘Georgina" (Waipukurau). Insular Narrow-Mindedness. I HAV just read this week’s issue of the "Radio Record," in which there are a few letters from readers regarding 2YA’s trial international programme of Monday week last. I would like to place on record my appreciation and congratulations to the Radio Broadcasting Co., not only for the excellence of the programme, but for the foresight and initiative they have displayed in serving the listeners with such good fare. It is undoubtedly a step toward helping the average New Zealander out of the rut of narrow-mindedness, and such items that show us American humour and American outlook only tend to

~ give us,a broader and better international view. After reading one or two of the letters, I could not help but think that they betrayed an existence of small-mindedness which we, _ being naturally insular, must endeavour to fight against. I personally am look "ing forward to Wednesday nighiee-= Theo H. Gundersen (Wellington).