FAIR PLAY IS BONNY PLAY.

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 15, 23 October 1931, Page 4

FAIR PLAY IS BONNY PLAY.

WE are sorry to have to direct attention to the policy of a radio contributor in another journal. Following upon the speech on unemployment by the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, given from 2YA on Tuesday evening last, and rebroadcast by the other stations throughout the Dominion, this particular contributor, "Grid Bias," wrote in the columns of his paper alleging that 2YA’s transmission had been so distorted as to make the broadcast almost a complete fiasco.. We car perhaps accept the experience as being that of "Grid Bias" on his own set, which he claims to have been specially evolved. There is abundant testimony available, however, from the Company’s own experts and disinterested listeners, to the effect that the transmission was perfectly correct and clear. The present writer heard the speech on a modern full-powered set within half a mile of 2YA, and found the reception perfectly clear and distinct, giving the characteristic timbre and force. fulness of Mr. Coates’s voice with full accuracy. We reproduce elsewhere the text of statements in the controversy between "Grid Bias" and Mr. A. R. Harris, general manager of the Radio Broadcasting Company, which has appeared in the columns of ‘the paper to whic!: "Grid Bias" contributes. It is to be noted that the paper in question. in contrast to usual journalistic practice, excised material portions of Mr. Harris’s last statement. That action will carry its own lesson to listeners. JN his concluding statement Mr. Harris makes the offer to . demonstrate to any reputable gathering of interested listeners, organised or unorganised, at any time, the clarity of transmission from 2YA. The "Radio Record" is prepared to supplement that offer by Mr. Harris by direct challenge to "Grid Bias" to subject his receiving apparatus to test. We are prepared to hire the Concert Chamber of the Wellington Town Hall, or any other hall chosen by "Grid Bias" in Wellington, at any date suitable to him, pay the expenses of "Grid Bias" removing his receiving apparatus to that hall, and subject it.to test of Z2YA’s transmission against commercial receivers of standard type. To give interest to the event, we suggest that three judges of musical experience be appointed, to be screened from the competitors, and an award of first, second and third made for prizes donated by the "Radio Record." This test should once and for all clear up the points of, first, the clarity of transmission from 2YA; secondly, the quality of the receiving set possessed by "Grid Bias"; and, thirdly, his capacity to criticise from a technical point of view the transmission of 2YA. In order that the most absolute fairness shall prevail in con-

> nection with this test, we are prepared to entrust the whole of the | arrangements to any committee appointed by the Wellington Radio Dealers’ Association. "THE "Radio Record" believes strongly in the truth that "fair play is bonny play.’ The Company has suffered very largely in silence under the criticisms of the writer in question, but the time would seem to have arrived when an exposure should be made and the matter brought to the test. Reasonable criticism is always welcome, but when criticism reaches the stage of being the expression of unreasoning obsession, amounting to an apparent vendetta, it is time to make complaint and to inquire what hidden motive is the inspiration of these continual unwarranted attacks, We also give as a small additional item in the case a contrast in parallel columns of different reports of the speech by the Postmaster-General in reply to Saturday’s deputation. That difference is so pointed as to make comment unnecessary.