Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 8, 4 September 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 caimot take responsibility for views expressed. Address communications to the Editor, and sign all correspondence, though a nom-de-plume may be used for publication. .

Band Programme, I WOULD like to congratulate Mr. Geo. Whale, conductor of the Oamaru Mounted Rifles Band, on their fine programme relayed through 3YA and 4YA. It was a real'treat, and recepdion from both stations was perfect. We would like to hear more ‘of this a Ty

band in tbe near future:

Bandsman

(New Plymouth) .

Sporting Results. wax is it that 2YA has stopped giving the cricket score in: the ‘mornings? Listeners. have got to turn to B class stations to get information "which is of interest to all sports .throughout the Dominion. Could you ‘tell me whether 2YA were refused a permit to broadcast wrestling bouts in

'Welliugton this season

Backblocks

Wairarapa ) _

Tramway Interference. Y7OUR correspondent DX480C has cer- , tainly opened up a question vital to all radio listeners, and I sincerely hope it will bear fruit in the near fu‘ture. Tramway interference in the cities of New Zealand is a positive curse ‘to radio owners. I am in the same :position, if not worse, than our Dun_edin correspondent. J am adjacent to the tram sheds of Christchurch, and the interference resembles gravel being ;poured down a shoot. I am surround--ed: with feeders and apparently leaky tram lines, hence the continual life of purgatory for me and my set. I have "had the inspector to call on me, and I ‘have visited all radio owners who own sets around me, and they are all in the ‘game boat. My set is capable of getting American and Australian stations, ‘but I have to be content with our local station if I want musie without gravel and sand mixed with it. Now, Sir, will -eyer the number of listeners be increased to such a great extent in the future if this kind of thing is allowed ‘to go on? It will simply spell disaster to: radio, and back to gramophones. The Government should be out to protect ‘listeners, as we are paying our 30/- for ‘music. I sympathise with our Dunedin friend, but, alas, there are hundreds like him who have to suffer in this way. My position can be proved to be due to tramway interference, because when, after midnight. when the infernal cars t

go to bed, I get good reception.-

A.B.

T.

Christchurch )

J. WAS pleased to see your article on noise. We consider we get more than our share in Rotorua. Many of us have made endless complaints about it to the local P.M., so I took round ‘a

petition to the Postmaster-General, and it was signed by over 90 licenseholders. I have a reply from the P.M.G. It has been arranged to carry out special investigations in connection with the trouble, but I understand that there is nothing to stop anyone from using violet rays, which is the chief cause of our annoyance during broadcasting hours, and until this is done I do not see that we can expect much improvement, as there is such a lot of it here, and doctors say it has never done anyone any good, so we look upon it as a terrible nuisance only. It spoils our reception, so I hope that something will be done very soon to eliminate it. Following is a paragraph from the local paper on the subject:-"Interference with wireless reception in Rotorua, which has for some time been excessive, according to leading enthusiasts, is reported to have been. growing steadily worse. So bad, indeed, has the position become that licenseholders have promoted a petition to the Postmaster-Gen-eral praying that ‘an immediate inquiry be made into the causes of the undue ‘interference now existing in Rotorua’ with a view to the provision of a remedy. The petition, which has been signed by no less than 80 holders of wireless licenses in the town, was forwarded to the Postmaster-General to-day."-

R. G.

Marsh

(Rotorua. }

No More New Stations. EGARDING the proposals of the N.Z.R.B.C. for the future policy of broadcasting in New Zealand, I have no fault to find with the main features, but wish to protest against ene. May we be preserved from any serious addition to the number of stations operating ‘on broadcast. Rather

let us keep the number down fo a bare minimum, and increase the power output of each. You are organising an attempt now to do away with heterodyning’ of existing stations, so where would we be with at least 11 extra on the broadcast bard? . My set is. an ordinary five-valve BrowningDrake, yet it efficiently brings in KFI

without a trace of 4YA; so it is not the set’s fault that from about 1000 up to about 1500 k.c. there is practically a continuous howl of stations trying to .outblast one another. In this connection I would suggest that we urgently require .the co-operation of the A.B.C. The impudence of their starting up, the Rockhampton station directly under our 1YA-it would seem as though we in New Zealand are to move meekly out of the way. A writer:in an English magazine says: "If things go on as they are now there will be constant interference of one station’s message by another, until the reception of broadcasting becomes a complete farce." We in Australia and New Zealand are not so badly off as they are, but the time to 8 Ah anek AL Aanoar ic now while

41p LIO PoI i Ll+o" 7770 hava 'it'in the hud _

K.O.

P.

(Car-

ww ssw w

Sunday Services. CORRESPONDENT, "Transformer," writes asking that 2YA should switch over promptly at 8.15 on Sunday nights to the band concert. He points out that frequently the services being broadeast by 2YA on that evening extend beyond 8.15, and sometimes

as late as 8.80. This question has been raised in the past, and. the attitude of the company made clear. It is that primarily the Sabbath is the Sabba and church services must have prio ity. Nothing should be done by a hurried change-over to. disturb the ‘atmosphere ‘ereated by the. church. services, The correspondent adds: "Apart from this complaint, I would like, as a listener of long standing, to express my appreciation of the: ‘service as a whole. Of course there is room for improvement, but I consider the company has given us the best possible service under existing conditions." Seven Points. MAX I be permitted to comment: (1) Surely the trash 'we get from such as 2GB,. Sydney, ete, is enough to make all New frightened of listening to advertising . from B stations. (2) Surely Waipa (Otorohanga) showing that he does not know. 4 music when he hears it, by the way condemns the dinner music. It is one of the best parts of the: day’s programme. I agree. with . him in this, however, that 9.30 or. 10 p.m. is a little Jate to start a party. One night a week the programme could easily bes split up a-bit with dance records... * .. (3).I also would like to that’ tlie four stations alter their dinner’ music and news sessions, so that those who get their papers at night can have music right through. (4) I agree with "Tooth Grinder" about Hollywood. (5) There cannot be many like DX 150c, surely! It is bad enough when our music is interrupted by racing results. We don’t want further such breaks. (6) With regard to numerous requests for a dance band, surely listeners can see that a dance band would mean poorer and more often repeated programmes than is now the case with recorded items. (7) I would like to ‘urge more sacred music on Sundays. After all, Sunday is only one day in seven; so surely those who dislike sacred music ° ‘can put up with two hours thereof once a week. ° No matter how perfect a thing is, there are always some grizzlers, who want more. My advice to them, when they get, something they don’t like, is to do as I do and shut it out, or go elsewhere instead of running after a pen and wasting. the’ -éditor’s time. -‘Satisfied." Trivialities:" TN your issue of August 21 a corres pondent signing himself -"ScreepGrid," writing in reply to another cor, respondent concerning. the class ,. ks music broadcast by YA and B class stations, states -that so-far as actual listening is concerned he has really no complaints to make. ‘After unburdening himself thus, the,-rémaining portion of his letter consists of nothing else but complaints and- criticisms.

THE Broadcasting Company — : has been advised by the British Broadcasting Corporation that a running commentary of the race for the Schncider Cup, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, will be broadcast by the: shortwave station G5SSW. Ti the race takes place the New , Zealand stations will carry out a re-broadeast. The New Zealand time will be 10.45 p.m. on Saturday to. 1.45 am. Sunday.

Even at the conclusion of his letter he has a flitig at’ one of our: congenial Pp I cannot see what excep"tion can be taken to an announcer bidding "G-0-0-0-d-night" to his many. lis"teners, If the fact were known the writer in question may have his little peculiarities and many of his friends take n6 notice of them. Why, then, does he draw such pointed attention to such a triviality through the columns of your valuable and instructive

paper?-I ’am, etce.,

Observer

( Inver-

cargill) _

Lighter Dinner Music. I SHOULD like to join with those asking for lighter and more tuneful dinner music, I can enjoy heavy music at certain times, but dinner-

time is not one of them.-

Listener

(Cambridge).

Comprehensive Views. Wwe would like to know a little more about the personalities of the -gmnouncers from :the different. stations, y. Drummond's photo has been published twice since I have taken the "Radio Record." This week’s "Record" mentions Mr. Curry from 3YA. We do not even Know the names of the men from 1YA ‘and 4¥A. Now: these men are more than mere voices from _ the ether. We look on them as friends and would like: to: know them in the flesh. Here is:an impression of them, how near is it to truth? 1¥YA, a man similar in bulld. to Mr. Drummond, sharp and quick in his movements. 8YA, a man in the mid-forties, tall and thick set, deliberate in his actions. 4YA, a young man still in his. twenties, not very tall, slim and boyish in build. co a

Now as regards to position, we are situated some 50 miles north-west of f As regards reception, 2YA is the only station. from which we can get satisfactory results, and even this station has been fading badly of late, say, for the last six weeks. 4YA is out of the question after sundown. Mr. Heaviside comes down very heavily. 8YA fades very badly and unless atmospheric conditions are good one has to open the machine to full capacity to get 1YA, and usually a large bunch of crackles and bangs. The B class stations I do not care about, except 2ZW, which gives some really good recordings. "hese are absolutely ruined, however, by two Aussie stations, one on either side. TLA, Launceston, is one of the offenders. On one occasion recently when listening to a recording of 2ZW, one station was explaining the excellencies of ladderproof stockings, and another of some kind of biscuit. This particular part nf the band is a sucession of whistles. ¢ I have the time I'll try to sort out ‘the stations and send you a list, as asked for. By the way, I have a sevenvalve Steinite receiver, all electric. Regarding the establishment of relay stations. Thé same thing applies to the Invercargill stations as to 4YA. After sundown they go porridgy. I think it would be advisable for the company to do some experimental work before deciding on thé position of the relay station.’ This would apply to other places as well. Then, again, is 4YA’s transinitting station in the best position, situated near the railway sta- | tion in the lowest part of the city with high hills surrounding it on all sides, except to the ocean? There seems to be a good deal of criticism of 2¥A using 2FC as a eriterion. If my memory is not at fault the population of Sydney alone is at

least two-thirds of that of the whole of New Zealand. That-will naturally give their directors a far bigger scope for talent. 2YA is not by any means perfect, but. we have to learn to walk before we canrun. One thing-as soon as means permit-I would like to see at Wellington, would be two A class stations, even if some of the relay stations had to be held over in the meantime, This would allow both a serious . and a light programme being run simultaneously, and might stop a lot of earp-

ing. We all know that it is impossible — to suit all tastes on any one programme. I would also like to see the dead half-hour between 4,30 and 5 p.m. at 4YA filled with music, preferably | lively, from the old quadrilles, etc. I am selfish in this, I own, as I start work early in the morning and usually get home at 4.30 p.m., and in a week © or two 2YA will be inaudible till after 5 p.m., and there is nothing like bright and cheery music to back one up after a heavy day.. For the love of Mike, none of this doleful jazz--where someone is bleating like a sheep going to the slaughter-it makes one feel like going straight on and doing the slaughtering. In these days we need something of the old Scots’ prayer, "Lord gie us a guid conceit o’ oorsels." I must say that what I have heard of the new international programme is miles ahead of the last. Unfortunately I did not get in until the second half. The pure nonsense of the Merry Quakers made me laugh till my sides were sore, and the finishing touch when one brother called on the orchestra to pick up their tempo-was it possible for men to play at the speed? How is it in whispers that the girl has such a harsh voice? Now, regarding the proposals submitted by the company. They seem to have created a bit of a stir in the Dmpire City. Perhaps some people have an axe to grind, and: others are so used to depending on poor old granny, ie, the State, that they cannot see (Concluded on page 28.)

Our Mailbag (Continued trom page 10.)

anything else, wilfully shutting their eyes to the most damnable mess almost all State enterprises are in at the present day. The proposals are far-reaching, but one thing I would like to ask the company is, why should it wish to perpetually own the chair? I think it would go a long way to inspiring confidence if the A shareholders had the chair for one year and the B for the next. The rate of dividend is strictly limited, so there should be no clash of interest between the two sections of shareholders, and with the P. and TT. officers checking all business nothing could be hidden. I am a bit doubtful about the B shares when a license holder drops out. Unless these shares were reissued the A shareholders would eventually swamp the B shareholders. -J. T. Mosley. Radio Listeners’ League. A CORRESPONDENT writes asking "What is the ‘Radio Listeners’ League,’ and what are the conditions of linking in? I cannot find out anything about it." [This organisation originated, we believe, in Dunedin, the organiser being, we understand, a Mr. Booth, who also held the position of secretary, to "B" class stations, Its objective was to organise listeners with a view to effecting improvements in the radio service. The organisation has not made very much progress, and in Wellington its membership is very limited. A public meeting was held some time ago to institute the movement here, and this was fully reported in our columns,Ed.] Business Principles. | Somp little time ago Mr. R. HH. ~ Nimmo headed a deputation to the Postmaster-General about broadcasting, and assured the Minister that the deputation spoke for the whole of the radio trade of New Zealand. This fine effort of his was subsequently discounted by the published statement that the conference which appointed the deputation was attended by only eight men. It is pleasing to see that Mr. Nimmo is not daunted, but, like his great countryman, Robert Bruce, is "trying again." At a deputation which waited on the Minister last Wednesday, Mr. Nimmo, once more the spokesman, emphasised that the conference which appointed the deputation was "thoroughly representative of the trade throughout New Zealand." Mr. Nimmo did not on this occasion repeat his assurance that he was speaking for all the listeners as well as for the trade. Perhaps he is now consulting the listeners, and we may soon see him waiting on the Hon. Donald again and emphasising that he is "thoroughly representative of listeners throughout New Zealand." Mr. Nimmo takes quite a lot upon himself. The statement prepared by the conference and submitted to the Minister provides most interesting reading. One is greatly struck by the very commendable altruistic motives which actuate the radio dealers. They hold the highest ideals in regard to broadcasting, so far as the transmission side of the service is concerned. No profit should be made by anyone, If there is any likelihood of the controlling authority, "whatever iis form," making a profit,

"listeners and trade interests will suffer." The radio-dealers are, of course, exclusively concerned about the listeners and the reference to their owyw interests is a slip. of the tongue. Tie lapse, however, is made good, and the dealers’ vital concern for listeners is clearly stated later on in the statement when the personnel of the proposed board of control is discussed: "We hold that the personnel of the corporation should be persons of judgment and independence, free from commitments, who inspire confidence by having no interests to serve other than those of public service. Our main object is not to serve any individual interest, but to secure the most efficient service for the general public." That is as it should be, Some eynics tnight say that they would like to see Mr. Nimmo and some other dealerg tempted with the opportunity to form a company to control the New Zealand broadcasting service, but there _ is little doubt that such an offer would be spurned with contempt. The creed of their "radio religion" distinctly l§ys it down that while profits on any stale can be made out of the selling of radio equipment "no profits shall be made out of a broadcasting service." That ig the radio dealers’ Eleventh Commandment. In Mr. Nimmo’s book it has displaced Elbert Hubbard’s famous "Thou shalt not take thyself too d---- serious." Whether or not Mr. Nimmo is breaking it with his own broadcasting station I do not know, but to suggest that such a keen business man as Mr. Nimmo was entirely altruistic when he erected his station would be almost a libel. I am afraid that as far as his Eleventh Commandment is concerned, he is a sinner in spirit if not in fact. To carry out Mr. Nimmo’s business dictum to its absurdity, if the makin’y’of profits means the "decline of the d¢velopment and popularity of a broadeast service," the heavier the financial loss on 2ZW, the better the service will be Going home in the tramcar after reading the report of the deputation, I thought over Mr. Nimmo’s business maxim. As I passed a number of empty shops, whose former tenants had been through the bankruptcy court, I thought: "Well, at any rate, Mr. Nimmo _ would approve of the way they carried on a public service-but I expect he is just as well pleased if he is not a creditor in the estates." It says a good deal for the principles of Mr. Nimmo, who has been in the broadcasting . business such a brief time, that he should so strongly urge, in the interests of the public, that the service should be publicly owned. Perhaps in a little while, if he hears of a radio dealer having declared a divilend of 74 per cent., he will head crusade to induce the Postmaster-Gend-ral to proclaim that, in the interests of the public, the Government proposes to nationalise the selling of radio receiving sets. This would place the whole of broadcasting, back and front, in the hands of the Government and conserve all the profits for the public. Khandailah.