Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 32, 20 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 ali correspondence, though a nom-de-plume might be used for publication.

Foreign Language Lectures. WISH to endorsé tlie suggestion made in the "Radio Record" for this week by "J.H.A." (New Plymouth) in regard to the broadcasting of lectures on foreign languages, as I consider that this would prove a highly interesting phase of the Broadcasting Company’s service. Although, undoubtedly, most students in this country are taking French, I would like to see the Spanish language fostered in every possible way. . The broadcasting. of lectures on this very. euphonious and commercially useful tongue, should be of great value to. New Zealand students-especially 80 on account of our comparatively small number of teachers of Spanish. Re the international programmes, I suggest that 2YA should give us an English programme each Wednesday instead of an American one. The American "talkie" stars are having a serious effect upon our language, ot only among children; but also, unortunately, among those who are old ‘enough to’ know better. It certainly is the duty of everyone to do his utmost to combat this derogatory influence. I would recommend "Oromdale" Otago) to attend ‘talkies’ featuring eorge Arliss, Clive Brook, or Basil Rathbone-to name three of a large num-ber-and to listen carefully. Of the ladies I can suggest only Ruth Chatterton. He will hear from these artists just "what is good Hnglish."-"Zedder" (Mastegton). Recorded Programmes from 1YA. R® American recorded programmes, I thoroughly. enjoy, these, and hope that 1YA will follow 2YA’s lead, for listeners up here cannot obtain the best results from 2YA on account of fading. ‘If 1YA could broadcast them I am sure they would be appreciated immensely.J. H. Sherrard (Waiuku). International Programmes. READ with considerable interest the many and varied criticisms concern‘ing the international programme being broadcast from 2YA on Wednesday evenings, in place of their usual silent night. Listening with special interest to this programme on Wednesday evening last, I failed to find any great difference between this and the present programmes being broadcast by New Zealand and Australian stations. One item certainly did not appeal to me greatly, but I am broadminded enough to realise that the radio eaters for all classes and not a select few, as some critics would have us believe, and it is to the credit of 2YA for giving New Zealand listeners an idea of the type of entertainment being broadcast overseas, My opinion coincides with those of Theo, H. Gunderson and A. D. Rogers, Wellington, in their attack on the insuJar "narrow-mindedness" of some people in this country, who delight in criticising everything American and are the first to applaud any act full of cockney accent gad imitate the "perfect" Bnglish as poken by Oxford and Cambridge "highrows." If ‘American speech is so corupting, then what about the many and ‘varied dialects heard so often by people from the Old Country? To these "weakminded," egotistic ecrities, I advise that they tune in to China, Japan or Barbados, on future Wednesday evenings. Finding fault with everything (especially American) is sheer bigotry and the forerunner to international differences. Lookjng forward with added interest to 2YA international programmes, and_ thanking you, Il am,-John H. Smith (Timaru). Mr. J. Bishop Taken to Task, READING through this week’s "Radio Record," I noticed a statement made by Mr. John Bishop, of Wellington, at the annual meeting of the Music Teachers’ Association recently held at Christ- \ church. He is reported to have said :- "We as teachers of music should do all we can to raise the terribly and abominably low standard of the radio work of New Zealand." This, I think, is a gross insult to the artists appearing at the YA stations. ;

Does Mr. Bishop realise that the station directors and programme organisers are musicians of high standing, and does he think for one moment that these men with all their training ean listen to "bosh," as he calls it, from their respective stations? The idea is absurd. There are at present too many first-class musicians requiring work to allow of this. Perhaps. Mr. Bishop’s set is one of the old-fashioned variety like a cheap gramophone that will not bring.out the best in a record, or perhaps he has listened in

on a night when there has been a fair amount of the popular music being broadcast. That evidently is the whole trouble. Musicians of his standing have the idea that thev can make the general public erave and clamour for very high-class music. He doesn’t realise that only about 2 per cent. of the listeners appreciate this class of music. The other 98 per cent. cannot understand it, and they want Variety, with a big "Vy, " I know that in Auckland if an artist is not just up to the standard, there is not much hope of this person appearing again before the microphone. Take a look at any of the YA. programmes any night you wish. Mr, Bishop, and if you any of the leading artists of New Zealand you will‘find a big percentage of them on the evening’s programme, You can even listen-in to the children’s session, for you will find there talent which will surprise you-talent which would be quite acceptable in any evening’s programme, It is a yery easy matter to condemn a service, but kindly remember that the

programme organisers have to compile a two-hour programme for six nights in the week, and please don’t forget that the average song takes about four minutes. In conclusion, to my mind. the proerammes transmitted by the YA stations compare most favourably with any from Australian stations.-Yours, ete., Australian stations---Yours, ete. Reg. Morgan, Musical Director, Reg. Morgan’s Concert and Dance Band, Wednesday Programmes. I WAS interested in the current issue dealing with the new Wednesday evening’s programmes, and reply as follows: If "New Zealand Father" wii read my former letter he will notice that I did not criticise the instrumental side of that celebrated Monday’s programme; I agree with him that the Ormandy Orchestra is a fine combination which plays well-chosen numbers, The jazz instrumentalists and the Lockharts are.certainly good items. It

is significant that the Broadcasting Co, have not given us further items of the "Seecil and Sally" type... Some of the genuine American talk is interesting and pleasant, especially when spoken by an educated person, and not by a "Yankee." In answer to "Cromdale," I repeat my opinion, expressed above, of the Ormandy and other instrumentai pieces. I agree in the main with "Oromdale’s" remarks anent errors in grammar, and confessing my shortcomings in this respect, but assert that anything broadcast over the air need not contain such glaring errors as we heard on the other Monday evening. Being of Cornish descent, I agree that some dialects heard at Home are extremely difficult to follow, but what has that to do with "Seecil and Sally’s" awful manner of speaking? As regards constructive criticism. Mr. Harris will bear me out when I refer to my correspondence direct with him on this and other topics. I, too, appreciate the good fare supplied to listeners for such a modest sum as 30/-. The Wednesday evening. programmes of last week and this week were very much improved compared to the first effort of American programmes.-L. J. Retallick (member of 2YA Musical and ‘Dramatic Advisory Committee). Earthquake Service Appreciated. I AM very disappointed that there were no letters in appreciation of. the service rendered by the Broadcasting Company immediately following the disaster in Hawke’s Bay. There are many to censure-few to praise. Surely the. assurance of safety of so many names daily broadcast has allayed the fears and anxiety of hundreds of people as far as wireless is heard. In districts where mails are only once

weekly and neighbours far apart, wireJessshas been of the greatest benefit. The news broadcast has the stamp of authority-idle rumour no place. I cannot understand the daily appeals from the Red Cross for boots and new clothing. when funds are so readily subscribed for immediate use. However, that is not the purpose I am writing for. It is to express thanks and gratitude for the wonderful service given-Farmer’s Wife (Waitomo Caves). "If You Know of a Better ’Ole." T SUGGEST that when listeners complain they state what kind of a set they ‘operate. I have an eight-valve, and when I do not care for an {tem I am’ like Bairnsfather: "If I Know of a Better ’Ole" I go there, and I think the vast majority of listeners do the same. One thing annoys me, and that is the announcer at 4YA saying "The next ‘item on:our programme," Well now we all know it is the next one-not the last item. Still, I suppose he is like myself, he has some faults, but after all that is only a mere nothing. The programmes put over from the YA stations are poor sometimes, but after hearing some of the Australians I consider we are not doing so badly. Let us hope they keep going ahead, as I think we will be far better off if the Government do not take over, control. This is a matter we have heard very little of from those who should be most concerned, and I would like some of the listeners to state their views on the subject. Perhaps something can be done to keep carrying on as at present. This week’s American programme will do me one night a week. What a change to hear what others get in distant lands. Thanking the Broadcasting Company for the way they carried on during the serious disaster in Napier-I am, "Just One" (Otira). Telephony Service. [N your last week’s paper I see an article on the wireless telephone service, Wellington-Sydney, to London.

It is no use Wellington saying the fault lies between the last two. Wellington is poor, and very poor. If one will ‘listen-in any morning and pick up "Chelmsford they will soon know where the trouble is. Only. once have I heard _ Wellington, and it was the day Ngata spoke those few words to Fenton at Canberra, for as soon as they rang off, the call came through that Waiwera House, Rotorua, was wanted. Sydney is full tone nearly every day, and all the time it is "give it more volume. You have been ‘off the air for 15 minutes. Too much back noise." I often think it would do some of the Wellington operators a _ service to go to Christchurch and find out how 3ZC broadcasts on the shortwave Wednesday afternoons. The lady announcer is Al. We can sit in the back of the house and often hear Big Ben strike 7 p.m. their time. And Rome is about _the best morning station. In the afternoon W8XAL and WHENR are mostly very good. After 10 pm. Paris, Rabaul and Russia come in very strong. It is from about 8.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. that I cannot pick up some one or place working. Yor the last nine months I have had the machine going about five hours or more each day, and I must say that even 2YA is not what it was-fades very badly at night, more so when the news, etc. starts at 7 o’clock. If it is not the stations or those working them, it must be the locality we must blame, for often the B stations over both Islands outclass-the three out of the four big ones. Christchurch is always a long way ahead of the others. It is only after 7.80 p.m. that I can pick them up at present. I have just closed down on WENR, 6 p.m, and there is only just a very faint whistle from 2YA. When in England I heard a good many makes of sets. When in Leicester reception was best, America and Burope coming in very good, but usually the static was very bad. The P. and T. operators in Wellington have a lot to learn about the wireless, even if the messages are jumbled up so we cannot understand them. Tune their

sets up and give more volume, then the service may in time receive enough calis to help pay interest on the capital ex-pended.-Alfred Colyer (Bay of Plenty). "puRD Nnglish* (Otago Central) reiterates the arguments put forward by "English Mother" (Masterton) and others contending that the American recordings are not suitable for broadcasting. For the defénce, 8. R. Bilis. (Okato) maintains they are, and inquires. why "highbrows" should attempt to control the programmes to suit their own tastes..