Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 1, 17 July 1931, Page 6

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 may be used for publication.

Debt to B Stations. I FAIL to see where any exception can be taken to B stations broadcasting a limited amount of advertising by way of sponsored programmes. Listeners are paying nothing’ for this extra service, 50 why the commotion?. I believe every person connected with broadcasting is deeply indebted to the B stations for their untiring efforts to supply Hsteners with alternative programmes. The apparent satisfaction with the A station offerings is due largely to the fact that listeners have the option of other are, B station owners are quite justified in seeking some compensation for their contribution to our nightly entertainment, and-it is better that this be got from ad-yertising-and not by subsidy. from the A station funds. It appears as though there is great need for closer co-operation between the various broadcasting interests, ‘and while this opinion is quite impartial, I am confident that if a more amicable feeling existed between the A and ‘B stations the Broadcasting Company would be assured of generous public support.-H. B. Arthur (Auckland). A Happy Medium. AS you have stated in your leading article in this week’s "Record" that you offer the hospitality of your columns to listeners, I should be grateful if you would allow me space to air a few complaints about the stand you are taking in.regard to New Zealand B stations, In the first place you are continually ilhistrating your arguments ugainst the evils of advertising by citing the position that obtains in the United States. This‘is hardly fair reasoning, as the conditions in the U.S.A. and New Zealand are not identical, as in U.S.A. there is no- license fee whatever and the listener gets all his entertainment free. In New Zealand we have a service from whien no’ adyertising is broadcast, although some announcements from YA _ stations have, been on the border line. If a_listener does not wish advertising mixed with his programme, he is at perfect liberty to leave his set tuned on to the local YA station. He can hardly expect a B class station to carry on without any income whatever, and the only manner in which a B station ean obtain a regular income to defray running costs is by advertising contracts. I do not think that excessive adyertising over the air pays the advertiser, as the listener, if he gets too much of it, gets fed up and turns his set on to a station from which he gets little or no advertising. When in Sydney last year I noticed that 2GB gave an excessive amount of advertising, and, although their transmission was excellent, the set

was turned on to another station immediately the, announcer started his advertising talk, for the simple reason that he would talk about the article for four or, five minutes, whereas, if the announcer had just made a bare announcement about the article, taking, say, about half a minute, the set would have been left on to 2G-B. In any case, I do not see that the listener has any cause to growl, as he is getting all programmes from B station absolutely free of charge, and it at least gives him an alternative to the YA. stations if he desires it. Before the advent of 2ZW, 2YA’s transmission was anything but good, and many times I was inclined to blame my set, especially in view of replies to correspondents, which blamed locality and ineflicient sets for the most part. However, the first day 2ZW went on the air, I knew that I had been calling my receiver a lot of hard names for no cause whatever. The tone quality of 2YA improved a lot shortly afterwards, and, although to-day the tone quality of 2YA has improved considerably compared to what it was: before the advent of 2ZW, I still consider it very much below that of the B station. This view, I might say. is shared by all my listening friends and acquaintances. . In view of the above and in reference to a lettér signed "Music," which appeared in your columns a week or 80 ago, I should like to point out that as "Musie" had the set turned to the local B. station he evidently considered that the programme from there was better than that from the local YA station. He again brings in the eonditions obtaining in U.S.A., whereas there is no similarity, ‘Judging by your own campaign against the B stations, you would prefer to .see only stations controlled by. the. Radio Broadcasting Co. operating in New Zealand, as no B station could exist and give any degree of service without the help of advertising contracts to pay the operating costs. ; That there is a difference in views as to what constitutes the best control of radio may be judged from .the following extract from the March issue of. "Radio News": "The situation is ably summed up by General Charles Saltzman, chairman of the Federal Radio Commission, as follows: ‘In England, broadeasting is controlled by one corporation. I have listened to British broadeastirg.: I think that the corporation gives the public what the corporation thinks the public ought to hear.’ " ‘ If all B stations were eliminated, and the Radio Broadcasting Co. had a monopoly of broadcasting, listeners would have no alternative but to listen to the YA stations. As it is at present in Wellinston,'a listener, not caring for the programme from 2YA, can tune in to a firstclass B station at no extra cost to himself, which is all to the good, providing that the Government took steps to see that nothing of an objectionable nature. either in the advertising or programmes, was put over the air.

In conclusion, I should like to state that I have no connection whatever with the radio trade or any B station. Please do not think I wish to advocate the American system of radio control, which I consider the worst of any, as the listener is unable to escape from advertising 10 matter what station he tunes in, but I do think that there is a happy medium between the En English system and the American.-

ee eS 2 aaa eee eee Programme Comparisons. DURING the past six weeks I have been comparing the four YA _stations.’ I find that 4YA transmits what is, in my opinion, the best cosmopolitan’ programme. Their last Friday night’s programme was wonderful. This station appears to please everyone. . Now what about 2YA emulating 4YA?-Fred J. Martin (Pahiatua). Overseas Programmes Condemned, iB common with other listeners, I derived much pleasure from the first instalment of overseas programmes froin 2YA on Wednesday nights and noted with interest that the second instalment was’ stated to be an improvement on the first. Never was a statement so coipletely disproved by the facts! With the exception of the "Golden Hour of Music," ‘and perhaps also "Ohman and Arden," the entertainment afforded can only he described as puerile; "Adam and Eve" is an insult to the intelligence. It would appear that the first instalment of énter_tainments, containing as it did some excellent features, was akin to the top layer of attractive fruit in a box of. third-class apples, aS sometimes happens when one deals with unscrupulous vendors, To save its prestige the Broadcasting Company should try something else-J. P. Steven. Station at Rotorua. A LETTER over the name of GC. J. Fleming in this week’s issue of the "Radio Record," referring to the erection of relay stations, calls for the support of all enthusiastic wireless owners in the Bay of Plenty. .They should certainly agitate for a station at Rorotua in preference to Hamilton for reasons as pointed out by Mr, Pleming. Not only could reception be improved one hundred per cent in the Bay if: Rotorua were given the preference, for all stations in New Zealand could be treated to excellent concerts given by the native race

of the district, and this in itself should be a strong point in its favour. Much consideration should not be necessary in deciding that the position of Rotorua would render a better service than any relay station in the Dominion, for then the extensive Bay of Plenty would be served with good daylight reception in summer, the entitlement to which it deserves, but has not been their privilege to enjoy.-F. Hemphill. Views From Otago. THINE a little constructive criticism will not be amiss. Here in the country having paid 30/- per. annum we look to our radio to supply us with entertainment. Do we get our money’s worth? I think not. . , (1) Our local station is not up to standard, not so much in the class of programme, but in its transmissions. I can receive weak-powered B_ class stations far clearer and with more volume, I don’t think there is any B + station in Dunedin over_250 watts com-;-’ pared with the reputed 750 of 4YA, also 4YA’s aerial system is better or should be. If not so much money was spent in appointments, ete., but was put into the transmitter, we would be better served. 3YA programmes seem to be the best, although it fades badly here, which can be put down to locality; so we have to look to 2YA to supply the majority of our night’s entertainment. The Sunday night programme from 2YA is what we should like, I feel sure, always. It comes through splendidly without exception. Why? First we generally have a good variety also an auditorium. 2YA’s studios do not seem acoustically good at all. Our announcer, Mr: Drummond, is the- best part of the show generally. All outside broddeasts are good also acoustically, so I blame the studios. Our. Wednesday night’s programme, except the lectures, is rubbish. This country’ is Yankee enough now surely without giving us stuff like that. I don’t think anyone understands Yankee humour, and I am sure I don’t. Our sports, service is o.k. The trouble seems to be too much highbrow music! we want entertainment. We don’t want to be educated up to listen, that’s, not- entertainment,. it’s hard work. I seldom hear 1YA, but when I do, the programmes seem quite o.k. I also think it would be a good idea if we had a critic of, the concert sessions as well as of the lectures. I have been a listener.for over six years and have listened to quite a large number of radios in different localities, and from. that -experience my remarks have been deduced. -S. J. Gossling, Evans Flat, Otago. 2YA Orchestrina. MeSIC, like many other things, is @ matter of taste. Some people want to be educated, others to be amused only, so that each correspondent, particularly Mr. F, M. Knight, is welcome to his, or her, own opinion, as Tam to mine, The same applies to.the statement that there are ). better radio combinations in New Zealan than thé orchestrina. Certainly I have yet to hear them, ‘though I. have listened often enough lately. Mr. Knight has, in this respect, been more fortunate than I, or possibly he is more easily pleased. However, in my opinion, and in the opinion of competent critics, 2YA Orchestrina still remains the best combination in New Zealand, irrespective’ of Mr. Knight's criticism, The gibes. that. the Orchestrina attempts occasional symphonic works also speaks volumes for that body. Certainly I would much prefer to listen to the condensed rendering of such works played by a small, but highly efficient combination of first-class musicians, where all its members are So conversant with their respective parts. .. Skilful training and high efficiency are necessary to render symphonie works well. The 'gibe that my criticism loses its effectiveness because it is Written under a nom-de-plume does not cut ice, because I am quite within my rights, if I choose to do so, as I do, because the limelight of a cheap variety is not my seeking,

Our Mailbag. Readers are reminded that our | "Mailbag" columns are open for the expression of their views. Particularly at this time will we . be pleased to receive views on the broadcasting system and the Government proposals. Please make letters as short as possible. , Jp a ee

Mr. Knight: wishes, to ‘appease his curiosity re my identity, the Editor has my permission to disclose same if requested. ‘My motto is, "give honour where honour is due," and having no axe to. grind, I consider this correspondence finished as far as I am concerned.-C. Clef (Napier). Advertising "Under Control." APPROACHED in’ a proper spirit I _ woyld venture to assert that adunder: control is not objectionable. Anyhow all stations advertisethe YA’s only to the extent of saying "we'll now entertain you with a .. dance programme. The "B’s" always carefully point out that the record you have just been listening to was a — recording number so and so. They also acknowledge who lent them the records. Now . take Americans, They advertise, but on two stations I have been checking up on of late the advertising has not been obtrusive. Take K.F.TI. They announce that the station is operated by Barle C. "Antony Ine. Packard Distributors for alifornia, no worse than the YA’s long opening and closing statement of ownership. Occasionally.a short remark is made as to the virtues. of the Packard. My point is this--a station advertising and known by the listening public to be broadcasting advertising can only get .publie support. by programmes of exceptional quality. The New Zealand stations never seem to get out of the rut of records, records, records. Sponsored programmes would elevate the whole standard of. broadeasting. No one is going to listen to a programme. of records, plus a little advertising, but I for one would not object to a short statement such as "This programme tomes to you:'from Station XYZ through the courtesy of the well-known butchers. This well-known firm’s twelve shops offer the housewife the best of meat at prices in keeping with the times." Now that, say in exchange for an hour’s -entertainment by a combinatien such as ‘the Orches-

trina or an houx’s dance music by a real dance band, is not out of the way, and that shert announcement is no worse than the continual intimation that "you have been listening to a recording number so and so." The matter is easy of regulation. It is quite’ time New Zealand broadeasting was reviewed, and the listener given a fair run. -At -present the "B" stations seem to trot along. on any old channel and under the ‘old dodge of "testing" hop on the air atthe owner’s whim. Why not regulate all stations as to wave-length and hours of operation, and when doing so remember that an Auckland "B" can put a good squeal into a Dunedin "B." When all stations are lined up, a condition of their license should be that advertising be allowed for so many hours per week; no advertisement to occupy more than five minutes, and not more than one advertisement per hour. This of course, exclusive of the opening and closing statements of ownership. This straight-out advertising would to my mind be preferable to the present thinly veiled stuff we get. .. A "B" station on the air for 50 hours a week would have 250 minutes of time to sell. This would give the owners some revenue to pay for programmes and a little competition between "B’s" for the advertisers would mean greater efforts on their part to draw the listening public. It is quite time a little more imagination was exercised in programme compilation. We look to radio for something novel, whereas the present fare is very commonplace. Whlist on the subject of programme arrangement, why doesn’t the R.B.O. exercise a little ‘initiative in conection with its layout? To my mind all four stations on news at once is bad. By 6 p.m. a big proportion of listeners have their papers. Why not, especially in the winter, arrange that at least two stations are always on music. Do it like this: ~

1YVA., 2YA, 4,30-5.80: Children. Children, 5.30-6.30: News. Music. 6.30-7.30: Music. , News, 80-7.50: Talk. Music. 7. 7.50-8.0: Announcements, Programmes. resume, etc., all stations. I know someone will say what about the crystal sets? But can anyone britig out an analysis of the sets in New Zealand and show just what percentage of the sets in use have not a range at dusk of say, 500 miles, so that if necessary they can get either news or music? Whilst on the job, why doesn’t someone, preferably a recognised body, do a good roar about stations off wave-length. In passing, the report for January of the Radio Division, U.S. Department of Commerve is interesting. For the month, measurements were taken of 365 stations. The frequencies were, in the aggregate. measured 7934 times. Results were: 54 stations at no time deviated more than 100 cycles (1-10 k.c.), 102 deviated 200 cycles. (2.10 k.c.). The permissible tolerance from an assigned frequency is not more than 500 eycles, or 4 k.e. A little "direct action" by the Government, who are getting some revenue from listeners, as well. as the R.B.C. would elear up the air in "Cromdale." Why Restrict B Stations? As a very keen and enthusiastic listener I have read with interest the views of correspondents regarding advertising by "B" class stations, I certainly do not think that your paper’s views are fair, and I cannot see why restrictions should be placed on the "B" stations. In the first place, the evening programmes of these stations, even though they are mostly records, are infinitely better selected and more enjoyable to listen to than most of the YA programmes. If advertising matter is put over and is not appreciated by a listener. then Jet him switeh over to other sta-. tions: he is not compelled to listen to it.

These objections to advertising matter are in a way not much of a compliment to the YA stations, because it indicate? that listeners are in the habit of’ tuning in to the "B" stations, which must. be. regarded-as evidence that programmes from these latter stations are, as I maintain, preferable to the YA stations,". Advertising matter, if put over well, is quite amusing, as a few minutes withthe Australian "B’s" will indicate. but Swhy listeners and yourselves should -haye™ sucli rooted objections to advertising, which’ is in numerous cases: preferable to listen" to. than some of the YA programmes, is beyond my comprehension, The R.B.C.’s’ programme arrangements leave much.to be desired, and if it is wanted to""know. in which direction, I would simply: say, "Listen in to 2BL_ and 2FC, Sydney," any day or any night. More variety. is whot is desired, there being far too. many vocal items. Pianoforte solos can. be .en-: joyed by all, however little we know-of, music, yet items such as this are.comparatively rare on YA programmes. And, as George Fraser, of Ohura, says, "what about more humour? If there gre,.n@ real humorists available, then put.,on reconls. It seems to me that YA programmes are selected to suit the taste and desires of a few and not the, great body of listeners. ww, oe I would suggest that the R.B.G.’ en-, deavour to obtain the views of prominent "ordinary" listeners in various parts..of the Dominion. with a view to -reyising. the arrangements of their programmes, I say "ordinary" because I feel that the views of "highbrow" listeners are ..considered most.’ The brightest spot: of the. YA programmes is, in my opinion, the dinner music, although the selection. of, this is not quite what is desired by .most, listeners. Listen in to the Sydney dinner’ music to grasp what I mean. I venture to say that the majority of those whe have powerful sets spend their evenings’ listening to Australian stations and: not (Concluded on page 31.) ~

Our: Mailbag (Continued* from page 7.)

New Zealand. ..Why should this be? Summed up, I would say that the main defects in the YA: programmes are lack of , popular. music, single instrumental items such as piano, saxophone, ’cello, ete,, absence of a dance band for dance programmes, ‘and’ the fact that all YA Stations have news sessions at the same time. . Regarding the controversy about the 2YA orchestral music, I think the trouble is that the music usually played is not well’ known by most listeners, and consequently not understood or enjoyed. I have endeavoured to make my criticism constructive moré than destructive, and I thank you’ in anticipation ‘Screen Grid." ee «.,CWe deny. the suggestion that our Views. are not "fair." They are our views and we would not be worth our salt as an editor if we did not express them. Correspondents are quite entitled to their views, and we do not say they unfair when they differ from: ours.2YA Orchestrina. R. KNIGHT'S letter has called forth a spirited defence of the 2YA Orchestrina by Mr. Sutherland. " I think the items by the orchestrina are almost, if not the worst, broadcast by 2YA. For weeks after its.inception we .gave the combination trial-after trial (prompted, of course, by the eulogistic _ references that appeared beforehand), each effort ending in a groan from one of the family. Maybe, as Mr. Sutherland suggests, there is a wealth of. good classical works specially arranged for small orchestras, but that does not alter the fact that -the orchestrina tackles compositions quite unsuitable for its thin voice. In common with most of my musical friends, I think ‘that the record items sunvlied are the better part of the programmes, ‘In conclusion, in case Mr. Sutherland says he has never heard of me as a musical critic, I subscribe myself,-"‘Juvenis" (Inverear- = . ;