Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 16, 30 October 1931, Page 10

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. , . :

What about that Challenge, Mr. Bias? Are you afraid of a Test and what it wouid Reveal ?

. "All Bias." — I ENDORSE your sentiments, Sir. The ' gentleman who sponsors the Radio Column of the "ivening Post’ ought undoubtedly to sign himself "All Bias" instead of "Grid Bias." Your exposure of his distorted transmission of what Britishers regard as fair play was trenchant and complete. His last budget was characteristic. He dodged your perfectly fair challenge by filling his space with a batch of anonymous letters which looked suspicfously like haying been manufactured to order, and it is a curious fact that the only one of the batch that bore the writer’s name was a dignified refutation of the biased absurdities of "Grid Bias." . I happen to own a powerful all-elec trie set, on which I work 2YA without an aerial. My location is within a mile and a half‘of the station, and the reception I get is truly excellent. Un--fortunately I did not tune in until Mr. Coates must have been half way through his address, but when I did get him his voice came in as if he were in the room. If "Grid Bias" is not man enough to accept your challenge, radio listeners will in future know just how little importance to attach to his fulminations against the Broadcasting

Company.-

City Listener

(Wellington).

Out of Step. F I were "Grid Bias" 1 should be feeling as small as the proverbial pea. It looks as if the bias he spills is allowed to run over into the other columns of the "Post," for the comparative reports which you publish side by side provide an exposure of one-eyed partisanship which should make any self-respecting newspaper blush. But why challenge the poor chap to do the impossible? You’ve heard of the old lady who went wild with enthusiasm

when the company of soldiers marched by and she saw that every blessed one of them was out of step except her own boy. Well, "Grid Bias" tells us he runs a self-made set that beats the band, and it gives him rotten reception from 2YA, and we who find the reception A1 ave, of course, all out of step with him. In the language of the vernacular,

what’s his game? [ for one shouldn’t be surprised to learn that you had picked it correctly-Chas. Smith (Wellington). Wolf! Wolf! "G RID BIAS" reminds me of the shepherd boy who called the villagers out by erying "Wolf! Wolf!" when there was no wolf. One day there may be a wolf, but who will heed "Grid Bias" then? Let him make certain his complaints are justified before

he cries out.-

G.

Gould

(Ngaio

Where and Oh Where! if WONDER where "Grid Bias" dug up the circuit for his receiver. Let us hope it was not the "Radio Record." If that test comes off I am bringing along my crystal set (made from the "R.R."). -"Rejecta Two" (Wadestown).

Challenge Not Accepted. I NOTICE the challenge issued in last weelk’s issue to "Grid Bias" of the "Evening Post" has not been accepted. nor has any reason been given for sueh non-acceptance. Perhaps your rather militant challenge left "Grid Bias" without any bias, and he has, in radio

parlance, "lost his emission."-"Power Detector" (Lower Hutt). Fair Play. VER since the Hon. J. B. Donald, one-time P.M.G., announced that at the expiration of the R.B. Co.’s econtract broadcasting in New Zealand would come under Government control, I have followed closely per medium of the Press the developments in the situation. One curious thing has impressed me all through, namely, the apparently unaccountable but real hostility of Wellington’s evening paper, the "Evening Post," toward the Radio Broadcasting Company, who, during the comparatively short term of their contrict, have built up the basis of a very efficient broadcasting service, when considered in the light of the very difficult condi-

tions with which they.. have had te~ contend, The latter is rarely taken into ac count-at least by the very noisy critics who from time to time fly into print, and who, as often as not, apparently impudently endeavour to convince the general public that the majority of New Zealand’s 60,000 listeners agree with their views. In this I refer more particularly to a small body of peopie -they are not all licensed listenerswho style themselves, albeit ambitiously, the Radio. Listeners’ League. (1 very nearly put the apostrophe before the ‘s,’ for they have a secretary who is astoundingly prolific in his tirades, both verbal and written, against the R.B.C.). I happened to be present at the inaugural meeting of the Wellingtun branch of this body, when a great proportion of the few people there left while the meeting was in progress. To an outsider their rudeness might have appeared unpardonable, but I can condone their offence. Besides, the conceft which was advertised as part of the evening’s proceedings was rather a disappointing affair. The remainder of the entertainment, however, which took the form of a meeting, was highly diverting. The piece de resistance came when one of the audience asked the secretary how he could claim the total membership as being truly representative of New Zealand listeners when not only licensed listeners could join, but also members of their families as_ well. Shortly after everyone left. And this is the body whose extremist views ure published with an alacrity and in detail which would be admirable were such news not definitely misleading to the average reader, ) Moreover, as revealed in last week’s/ "Radio Record," the "Post’s" idea of reporting on a deputation to the P.M.G.

differs seriously from that of the "Do--~tninion," whose attitude throughout the _ whole proceedings has been obviously impartial, . Another point. Just who are the other. complainants making use of the "Post’s" columns? A few who diligently write regularly-obviously listeners of the type who would never be satisfied with anything, however good; a few of Wellington’s "highbrows," who, if they ever had charge of broadcasting, would weary both transmitter and listeners with the ponderous headache-producing type of musie for which they professedly live; a ‘few, in direct contrast to the last, clamouring for lighter and ever lighter types of entertainment; and one or two professorial supporters of the W.H.A. who apparently have the money and hence the time to make "culture" the be-all and end-all of their existences, ‘ What does the average wage-earner nt with culture? He wants mainly t Q things from his radio-news and entertainment. And culture-by which I presume our professorial friends mean a genuine appreciation of the artsis definitely not entertainment unless one has been edueated up to such an appreciation. Oertainly I agree that the broadcasting authorities should not ignore their unique opportunities of offering listeners such an education, but it. should be administered in small, easil-assimilated doses. And this is being done.-Photon (Hataitai). 1YA Distorted. RE the transmission from 2YA of the Hon, J. G. Coates’s speech, I was listening-in to 1YA for about 10 .{ minutes, but it was very rough and \far from natural, due, I thought, to interference on the land-line. I then dialled to 2YA, and the Hon. J. G. Coates was coming through just O.K. I might mention I am using a four-year-old five-valve battery set, but owing to 2¥A fading a good deal we do not listen, to that station regularly. If it were not for the fading I’ consider 2YA the best toned and clearest station on the dial, and I have

& log of. some 60-odd stations.

Un-

biased

(Pukekohe Hast).

"Is This Fair Reporting"? ‘N your issue of October 23 you devote your editorial article ' and much space to complaints against the treatment of radio matters by the "Bvening Post." One of your paragraphs quotes the reports of the remarks of Hon. Hamilton in replying to our deputation as given by the "Wyening Post" and "Dominion," and yu say editorially that "difference is so pointed as to make comment unnecessary." We are amused at your remarks on this matter, since we thought that the reporting in "The Dominion" was niore favourable to ourselves than that in the "Hvening Post," though neither of course gave verbatim what was said. We feel that your complaints against unfair reporting would have been more convincing if you yourselves had reported our statements instead of sup-

pressing them and quoting only the Minister. We have yet to see our arguments in favour of public ownership of radio discussed and answered.I. L. G. Sutherland, P. W. Robertson, {Our correspondents are referred to back copies of the "Radio Record" for the comments and discussions they desire. The relative importance of views and those expressing them is a factor in the publication of matter as well as consideration of space. There was no unfairness on our part, for we have not given the effective replies made by Mr. Palliser and others to our joint correspondents.-Hd. ] Is 2YA Spoiled by Heterodyne? I NOTICE in your columns of October 23 a letter signed by A.B.J., Levin, stating that the music heard faintly in the background of 2YA is merely the orchestra practising. Besides the orchestra there is an American station which I heard clearly the night that 2YA broke down. Hvidently this accounts for all sorts of things said about 2YA and why so many listeners prefer to tune-in elsewhere-Radio (Waipukurau). Popular Programmes Wanted. I WAS amazed and amused, along with several other "Radio Record" readers, to note a scribe signing himself "One Per Cent." If he was in favour of popular instead of sawdust-dry classical programmes he should have signed himself 99 per cent., for there is nothing more certain than the fact that a very large percentage hate classical music like so much incoherent noise, and the same very large majority prefer popular old tunes and modern melodies which are, as a rule, cheerful. I have formed classical and popular orchestras, but I now believe’ the classical day is done. It is out of date. People generally simply don’t desire to have classical music thrust on them. Those who want it are few and can go where they like for it-Ninety-nine Per Cent. (Pahiatua). y Good Music. I HAVE been a radio listener for years, and have enjoyed many programmes. I have improved my. set until now I have an electric model / capable of good reception and with / good tone, but, alas! the programmes ' are nothing near as good, what with

loud screeching instruments, and, worse still, so much American so-called music. It makes one wonder if they know anything about music. It’s bad enough having the international programmes at the different "Y" stations each week, but you’ tune into one of the other stations only to find the programme bespattered with the same, and in disgust you are compelled to go to one of the B stations. I remember looking forward to a good night’s entertainment from 3YA, with a good band. Last Monday, though there were a few good items, it was spoiled with the screeching instruments and American howling or whining. Then 2YA put a good band concert on Thursday nights, interspersed with other enjoyable items, but it is also a thing of the past. Might I suggest that one of the "Y" stations (in fact, I do not see why they ali could not) put on sacred music during Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening after church. Surely no one would object to good sacred music once a week.-A Lover of Music (Frankton Junction). More Melodie Four. "PHD following letter was received by 2YA: Just a few lines to condense a grouch which is practically univer- sal down here in the Sunny South. Undoubtedly the outstanding male quartet in New Zealand is your esteemed "Melodie Four." Now, sir, at one time we were privileged to have them regularly on Saturday nights, which was keenly anticipated for days prior. Latterly, alas, we have them about every fortnight. Really this is generally accepted as tragic indeed. Re this, why not placard this slogan at your worthy station: "Less Steel Guitar, More Melodie Four’? Will you heartily thank Mr. W. W. Marshall for conceding so magnificently to the writer’s special request number in the cele brated bass song "The Wolf’? Hach rendition certainly appeared to suit this artist better, and we would be grateful if he will give us "Out on the Deep." We are too far south to get your community sings at the time held this season. Why not, on recommendéing these items, take a lead as regards

the hour from 2K0, as last Tuesday’s wind-up performance was a wonderfully happy time, eclipsing the performance of any competitors-and on re suming, why not one night weekly ?-~

The Blind Listener

(Gore).

(The Melodie Four broadcast from 2YA on Saturday, October 24, and will be heard again on November 6.. Mr. Marshall will sing "Out on the Deep" on Tuesday, November 24.-Hd.] Some Suggestions. HE present Broadcasting Company can be congratulated on the splendid programmes, generally speaking, which have been transmitted during the past few years. A comparison of the various systems of the world does not belittle the N.Z.B.C. in any way.» The British broadcasting system and its programmes are the finest in the world, and having been privileged to hear most of these stations, I don’t think there can be any argument aboat it. I was rather surprised to see Mr. Bloxham’s article in your paper, and with all due respect to that gen tleman I would not consider him a programme expert. The best items broadcasted are undoubtedly the dinner session items; Not only is good light music provided, but the selection of this music shows somebody knows his job. The partSinging, generally speaking (N.Z.) is first rate, some of the best and the worst coming from Wellington. Having for a good many years attended the Old Mo, "Under the Arches," Sadlers Wells, Old Vic, Galte Westminster Bridge Road (Londoners will recognise the old places), and listened to the old stagers, it is pathetic to listen to the rendering, or rather the "rending," of these old-time songs, and if the Wellington "artists" think Londoners would be satisfied by the "Lily of Laguna," and other coon songs, being interpreted as these are interpreted, they are greatly mistaken. As regards other vocal and instrumental music, the N.Z.B.C. has material second to none. The various instrumental units are very fine, and the dance sections all round are superior to the American, although there is one particularly bad jazz band in Auckland. The children’s session in New Zealand are the worst thing in broadcasting! MUHaving been privileged to listen-in to 2L0 (London) every night for six months, you will understand my expression. There we have delightful bed-time stories, told by . delightful aunties who thoroughly enter into the spirit of the whole thing, whilst here we have so many songs, ete., by a few precocious infants and stac cato laughs by uncles and aunts that I seriously think there is very little enjoyment for the youngsters. There are exceptions, and very big ones, but certain adjustments during the, last twelve months have improved this ses sion. (Concluded on page 12.) ~

Our Mailbag

. (Continued from page 11.) As fully 90 per cent, of license holders male) are away from home during the day, would it not be an improvement to have one station broadcasting (A or B), music, ete., from 7 to 8 pm. daily. Why should all the A stations close down or not start till 3 pm. Saturday? The country people come to towns on that day and have o lenve early, and the dealers have no programmes to demonstrate, Sunday programmes: From 4.30 to 8.80, approx., nothing but religious service! I do not begrudge religious services to those who appreciate them, ‘but we have eleyen different denominations in. this neighbourhood, so in any

case somebody has got to go withont his particular religion! So why not eater for the very many who prefer a secular programme. The only station which I can get broadcasting light music is K¥1, and you ean well imagine how hard up I am to have to tune in that station, with its one man orchestra, If our musical tastes are on a par with that trash we should be very poor indeed. I think I shall have to give "Ma Baby" the "Big Gobye." With a little adjustment we can make the N.Z.B.C, equal to anything in the world, but you will have to cut out the children’s service and religious service at one station in each island to make progress: and it surely is not an unreasonable request! A few other alterations which would be beneficial would be no broadeasting of band competitions and musical competitions (except final con-