Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 34, 4 March 1932, Page 10

Our Mail Bag

Replies to Correspondents. DX12HB: The question you submit is dealt with in our issue of February Correspondence Condensed. » "No Grouch’ {Auckland) writes making suggestion that speakers who have been on the air regularly for a period should be changed-not through any inherent defect in the speaker, but simply because listeners are apt to get tired of hearing the same voice. Brief but Pointed. We wish to notify you that we would sooner have the older way of an-

nouncing.

Cargill Family

{ Westport).

To Prevent the Shivers. SIN 3H the majority of listeners think it their duty to write and tell the Broadcasting Board just how the business should be run, I also hasten to offer a suggestion. Would it not be possible to install heaters of some kind in the various studios, as it is painful to hear the women artists shivering. I assure you the thought that they appear in ice chambers (judging by the continuous shivering) makes me shudder in sympathy. I can’t think of anything else to Grumble at, except static, and it is a bit early yet to ask the Board to cut

that out.-

Manurewa

Surprise Items Enjoyed. I AM enjoying your Mail Bag column, and desire to enter the field of criticism. Firstly, I must say I notice a marked improvement in the _ pro-

grammes from YA stations. I’m a dialtwirler, and there is evidence of freshness in the ideas of the new management. Surprise items are new, and I’ve enjoyed them very much. The board earned my undying gratitude when they stopped the infamous "Go-o-0-d night," a thing that was bringing broadcasting to a childish stage. Wednesday night programmes are my favourites, and they must, according to listeners in my vicinity, have a large audience. © My vote is for the national service run by a board who have no axes to grind. Can the same be said of some of vour

correspondents ?-

E.

C.

Dominion Coverage. I HBEARTILY agree with the board’s policy of seeking to give coverage over the whole Dominion before subsidising B stations. Mr. R. H. Nimmo might alter his opinion if he came up here and listened to what we get for our 380/-. 2YB has a heterodyne whistle.

2YA distorts and is a complete washout, likewise 1YA., 8YA fades continually. 4YA is weak but steady, and can only be brought to reasonable strength when statie has gone to bed. 2ZW might just as well not exist as far as I am concerned. I do not think the people within 50 miles of the main stations realise what we get served up to us under the name of wireless. I am not blaming the stations’ transmission, but after it leaves the transmitting aerial it must travel a very rough and rocky road on its way to Taranaki. If our popular announcer, Mr. Drummond, could only hear his distorted speech, as coming from my speaker. it would make him langh, and yet 30 seconds later his voice will be clear and distinct 50 yards away. I am an old listener, having built my first set in 1924, before any YA stations were in existence, and I say without fear of contradiction that the socalled wireless we receive after sundown is a disgrace to those responsible. If the board are sceptical as to my statements, they are welcome to send a representative along at any time and test the truth thereof. Surely it is the duty of the board to see that all listeners received a reasonable service before catering for B stations, which only

(tupicate existing YA stations

Geo.

Lamb

(inglewood ),

Not the Majority. SAxs "Traveller": "Re all the let ters condemning everything possible with radio, I would like to say that we are quite satisfied with the new board." What on earth is he talking about? If we (1 presume he means the listeners) are satisfied, then pray why all the letters he talks about? He then goes on to say: "We think this and we think that.’ Is he under the impression that he is writing on. behalf of the radio listeners as a whole or on behalf of the 10 per cent. minority? Truly, "W.G." (Hamilton) is. talking sense when he says that "Now is our opportunity for action." It certainly is, but will we take it and act accordingly? We certainly shan’t, unless we all "pull together." Are we going to prove ourselves to be the "90 per cent, majority," or will we be called the "noisy minority’?

Six-valve

(Christchurch).

Plays and Players. if AGRNE with most that has been written in condemnation. of 1YA plays. Why can listeners not get something better than this locallywritten rubbish? It is well known that: there.are numberless good plays

available, provided a copyright fee is paid, so why suffer these Mad offerings, whose chief merit (?)- pears to be that they are locally written I am moved to write this after hearing another of these productions from 1YA this week. It was announced as a comedy, and we were assured that the dialogue was "bright and sparkling," and that listeners would have a delightful hour’s amusement, (Poor Mr. Bell! He evidently has to say what is written for him.) Actually and really there wasn’t one laugh in the whole tiresome thing, but much endless talk leading to-nothing! I defy the greatest optimist in the country to raise even a smile at any part of the thing; it was just point-. less rubbish. But worse even than this I fear that any moment we shall be told that still another locally-writ-ten and powerfully-constructed play will be broadcast. se Do the responsible people at 1YA really believe there is entertatnment value in these so-called plays, or is it that they get them cheap, and so foist them on listeners? For goodness sake let us have some bright, short plays written and acted bv neonle

who know how.-

Takapuna

Quarterly Licenses, A VERY large number of radio listeners will be compelled, not by choice, but by circumstances, to relinguish their licenses in March. ‘ This will be a serious matter for the broadcasting authorities, but it is one that must be faced. I am in touch with listeners all over the Dominion and so can vouch for. the fact that a very large number indeed have no alternative but to give up the license, more especially those on relief work, Would it be too much to ask the Government respectfully to consider a quarterly license, at least for a year? Many people would not object to paying an extra sixpence each quarter, which would help the cost of extra attention. It will mean a great loss to the radio world if licenses are dropped; we must face facts and if people have not the money they simply cannot find a year’s license fees. Our experience shows that business firms and also the Railways Department are doing their best to accommodate the public, and listeners who expect good programmes cannot afford to lose their fellow listeners, whose license fees are urgently needed to maintain the broadcast- ing service-A. B. McDonagh (Secretary New Zealand Short-wave Radio Club). . In Defence. "s G.," Hamilton, behin&/ good * cover, is courageously sniping at someone connected with the new board, but in so doing is also aiming at the board members themselves. . Are they not controlling the service themselves? The talk of officialdom is arrant nonsense. Did "W.G." enjoy listening to the oft-repeated "operated and controlled by, ete.,". that nauseated most listeners-was it officialdom that eliminated that? If so, praise to it. I cannot understand any commonsense person suggesting that the elimination. of the word -"everybody" ‘has destroyed the "genial feeling of goodfellowship between the listener and announcer." .I advise "W.G." to read Sir John Reith of announcers and their personalities, and when he has ab-

sorbed that I fancy his yiews will

change:

MB

Much Ado About Nothing. As a regular. reader of the "Radio Record," an enthusiastic listenerin, it seems to me that everyone far and near is making a great deal of fuss about nothing. The services given -by YA and B stations are as good as anything heard overseas-I operate an eight-valve super-het-and it will always be impossible to suit everyone. Surely, if one particular programme and way of announcing do not please, it is a very simple matter to turn elsewhere. The Radio Board does its best to cater for all tastes, and I should be ‘pleased to see a little more appreciation, instead of. these continual grumbles. I hope, however, that it will not be necessary for the B stations to close dowm particularly 2ZW and 1ZR. We have@iwo B stations here who give excelled service to their listeners. Before closing I must mention how much we enjoyed the dance programme broadcast by 2YA on Friday last by the Rangitiki Band, with special mention of the vocalist who sang so de-

liwhtfnllv in German

Satisfied

(Gis-

borne).

Of Educational Value. A RETROGRADE step is the elimination of the educational session. It was the very best item in all the years of broadcasting. Certainly only a few schools have radio, but that is a mattet of license adjustment, ete, and if parents and children are prought to a ~ gommon interest, how much is gained? One lecture on "clever hands," which shifted the honours to clever hearts, is one that I would like to hear repeated in the adult session. Also the lecture on pottery. I can imagine the boon that lecture would be to some of the young people who are eating their hearts out in enforced idleness. Another thing since gold looms so high in the national welfare: why not two lectures per week on prospecting? Is there any form of instruction, technical or otherwise, being given to the unemnloved camps? It would be of supreme

interest to everyone.-

Mother

Service Suggestions. RESUMING that the Radio Board has settled down to its duties, I venture to make the following suggestions, all of which would appeal logical and practical, in the hope that some at least may eventually be accepted and earried out. 1. That the idea of relay stations be dropped, and the power of the YA stations all increased to 6 or 10 kw. If a super station be required, I believe that Christchurch would be a better location than Wellington for it. Relay stations would probably mean more expenditure, and would certainly add to the congestion of the ether. 2: That at least one station open at seven in the morning and continue to eleven, and on Saturday nights to midnight. 3. That duplication, such as all stations broadcasting news or dinner ' Ynusie, be avoided. Say 1YA and 4YA could, at five o’clock, start. the children’s session, followed by dinner music, and then the news session, 2YA could commence with dinner music, followed by children’s session and news, while 3YA’s sessions could be dinner, news,

_ and children’s. This arrangement is faulty, and would have to be improved ,on, but will serve to show the idea. 4, That the Board provide interference tracking equipment where required. In places such as Timaru, electrical interference ruins reception at times, and must deter many from becoming listeners. . 5, That dinner and dance session items be published in advance. — 6. That immediate steps be taken to stop all hetrodyning interference caused. by New Zealand and Australian broadcasters. %. That sponsored advertising of approved types be allowed to the B stations. This would be better than subsidising them. 8. That political matters be broadcast at times, provided each party has equal time allowed. 9, That on Sunday nights at least

one station broadcast musical items instead of a church service. (This should go with No. 3.) Trusting that other listeners will write expressing approval or disap-

proval of the above.-

Envoy

No Evidence of Red Tape. Jo" (Hamilton) in your latest "issue has got his gun pointed the right way when he says "surely the high horse of officialdom is being ridden to death when the personality of our announcer has been attacked." Listeners will need to watch the redtape trail and be on their guard, for nothing can be worse for a _ broadeasting service than to be entangled in red tape. Though I was aware of this danger, I supported the system of Board of Control, which I think is the best that could be devised. Personally, red tapeism is my bete noir, for I have seen too much of it, and I have accordingly been watching the operations of the board very earefully. A sounder argument than that put forward by "W.G." to buttress up his warning will, however, have to be advanced before I can honestly charge the board with fol- "

towing the practices of Dbumpiedom. In fairness to the board I must say that so far I have failed to notice anything that could be considered to have the taint of a Government de partment. On the contrary, from what experience I had with the YA station, which had to refer everything to the head office in Christchurch, I should say that there is a freer air everywhere, I cannot agree with all this talk about attacking the personality of an announcer. That seems to me to be all bosh, "W.G." overlooks the fact that the announcers under the Broadeasting Company said just what they were allowed to say, and some things they had to say which they did not want to say. Nor did listeners wish to hear them say it. Those long announcements informing listeners that the station they were listening to was "owned and operated, ete.," can hardly be assumed to show an announcer’s personality. Personally, I fail to see why the Broadcasting Board should not have its ‘own style of announcements just as the Broadeasting Company did, It cannot yet be considered that the board is properly launched and under its own power. It is still in tow of the Post and Telegraph Department. Realising this fact, one must in fairness give the board great: credit for the initiative it has displayed since January. 1. dt has surprised

me, and I have been looking at everything with a critical eye. I feared red tapeism and officialdom, but I now realise that as the board will soon be "on its own," the time for this _danger is rapidly passing. -Jt was only to be assumed that in ‘the process of the Government buying out the Broadcasting Company and passing on the business to the Broadcasting Board, the board should have to work in close co-operation with the Government department responsible for earrying out the transaction. What more natural, too, than that an officer of the department should be lent to the board during this period of transition, for it has to be remembered that the Post and Telegraph Department has for years past been directly associated with the broadcast-

ing service, and the officer in ques: tion knows the whole ins and outs everything. " What is the record since January 1? Has the service to listeners.-(and that’s the only thing listeners are concerned about) been better or worse than before? If the service was worse, the board could be excused under the circumstances; if the service was no better, the board could be commended by listeners for having done so well under the most adverse conditions; but every impartial listener will say that the service is much improved, partly by what has been left out, partly by, what has been put in. The acting. general manager has, so far, done 2 thundering good job in the face. of the board’s financial difficulties -Ac countant, (Concluded on outside back coven). _ ~

Our Mailbag

| The Personality of Announcers (Continued from. page 11)

‘Personality Wanted, URTHER to my letter signed "Kaiwarra" ("Record," 12/2/32) I would again ask all in:fayour of.a restoration of announcers heing allowed to express ‘their personality when -an- ' nouncing to-hurry with their names a: ‘asked for in said letter. NZ21A, Hawera (‘"Record," 5/2/82) asks for someone to take the matter up. Well, Sir, I have done so, and all I ask is for all the "‘ayes" to send their names and addresses in, and they ca .vest' assured that the matter will be thoroughly attended to. This goes for wl RB.B,. announcers, not only our "Good-night man" or "By the. way. There has been a ‘budget of letters on this subject; and I appeal to all writers of such.-letters. to send in, their names together with’ those’ of their friends who should be licensees. -Now. "Good-night and. wake up" (""Record." 26/2/30), get all those names you. write of, use a roll. of, news sheet if necessary, but send. the'n along and this goes for all the "ayes" who are willing to work to have the man aud not the machine. All we want is name nnd address. Snitable netition will po

fixed up in: Ww cllington. .

-Chas, A. How-

ward

(Kaiwarra).

What a Slip! "(X\ OOD Afternoon Everybody." What a pleasing slip on Mr. Drummond's part on 2Uth inst from the relay at Athletic Park. Has our worthy announcer been reprimanded yet ? I agree with Kaiwarra re the vote of listeners, whether we will have the old familiar and pleasant greetings of our station .announcers, especially Mr. Drummond’s "Good-night" and "Goodevening Everybody." What about the "Radio Record" taking this matter up. and settling the issue on:‘e and for all? Have the members of the control board listened to K.F.1., California, signing off cach eve at approx. 3.7 p.m.? Another little point--why can't we have the news up to date? I have read news in Friday’s paper and the situne Was given us the following Monduy evening. Also. I think the racirg results could be given out later in the news session instead of just after the weather report. Surely there is more important news to be broadcasted than race results. Hoping to hear soen that our announcers have been given more latitude as regards their greeting the listeners instead of the abrupt way now machin-

ed out-

"Record Subscriber."

A Plea for a Slip. MAY I ask if the new Broadcasting "'"*s Board finds those very cheertul " gréetings. "Hullo Everybody" and -"Goo-00-0d Night." tco heavy an expeuse to keep up thrse days of depression, or is it to show their newfound power and authority? Does this

board know what these greetings meant to those living far back, isolated in many. cases; to those lying ill confined to their beds, and to those in hospital wurds? I would also like tu state how much we appreciate the various lectures, especially those of Mr. B. 5. Merlin. "My experience with the Bolsheviks." Verbaps if ‘Anti-Russian," vf Picton, spent a little of his leisure time reading "The Truth About the Slump," by, A. M. Field, just page 66, paragraphs 3 +4. 6, he may Change his views a little. We also miss the full announcement of stations. We have a new set and find it difficult to locate the various stations. Like hundreds of others, we are waiting for that slip of the tongue. when we shall hear once again. "Good erening, dverybody."? and "Goo-o00-0d Night." Could we hive it just oner asenin. Mr.

Announcer ?-

'Disa nnointed

{ Oueens-

fown).

Change the Subjeet. I THINK it is about time your correspondents ceased writing about the, *Go-0-0-0-d night." That salutation was a terrible annoyance. and I could never understand why the Broadcisting Company wlowed it to be used for so long. but the discussion which has ensued since January 1 is becoming more tiresome still, The "Go-o-o-0-d night" was a silly idiosyncrasy, marring the performance of an otherwise excellent ass nouncer. I am sure that i.e for one is glad to discontinued it. The preseut announcements are more dignified in every way, and I’m blessed if I can seen why some people profess to attach so much importance to a "piano improyvistion’ of the gvod old English "Good-

night.

"Get on With the Next Job."

Support for "Kaiwarra." N answer. to "Kaiwarria’s" letter. which L think is very sensible and deserving of -every one’s help, to try and win back our cheery "Goo-vo0-od Night" as well as the "Good evening, everybody." or "Good afternoon everybody" as the case may be. After all, it only manners, and we pay for it. I am sure, by the number of letters published. it would meet with approval from more than the 100 who seemingly have had the hard, abrupt method forced upon us. In conclusion. I would like "Kaiwarra" to know that if any thing comes of his suggestions. we. an family of six.

are with him.-

'I R.I

(NelsOn )

Mr. Drummond Irrepressible. RAvio listeners must surely be supersensitive. What a hullaballoo has been raised over the way an announcer says "Good-night." They are alsu super-selfixsh-or some of them are. Those who are writing to the "Radio Record" practically demand that 2YA "Goo-0-0-4-night" should be reinstated for their benefit, althongh the great majority of listeners must simply have loathed the

sound of it. and switched off to avoid it. It is silly for anyone to say that th new board has cramped Mr. Druin‘ mond's strle. It is not possible. He is irrepressible. He's cheerful about everything, from the price of wool up. When it falls to his lot to announce that the end of the world will take place at 2 oclock-next morning, he will do it with that jully lilt in his voice, which will mean "It’s quite all right, there's a better one to come." And we'll all co

to sleep happy.

A,ML.

(Ashburton)

Too Abrupt. AS a regular listener to the YA sta‘tions I would. like to pass a few remarks on certain points. First, may I like .to congratulate 2YA on their successful relay’ from Hawera of "The Creation" oratorio, by Haydn, which ‘ame through beautifully. From a letter published in the "R.R." of February 5. it would seem that listeners of Pahiatua would have the stations for ever broudcasting froth and bubble and silly chatter, which is about all the vandeville work and so-called humour . umount to. I know that it is impossible to please everyone all the time and those who like light fare are entitled to consideration, but then I fully believe there are many who. like us, prefer something nearer the classical to make up an eyening’s — programme, or at least the greater part of it, 1 admit there are certain classic ‘pieces which neither | entertain nor soothe me. but someone else may enjoy’ them, and I will add that nothing "uses pie to change stations as quickly as much of the humour that comes over the air. A little humour of the right sort is to be appreciated. but I believe it should take up only a smygll portion of the evening's entertainment. Taken all round, I believe that the programmes I have heard in the past six mouths to have been quite sutisfactory and showld not have written to the "R.R." but for efforts on the part of some listeners to have — our progriummes spoiled. With regard to the matter of | announcements, it does seem childish to object to a few human touches to the "Good mornings." ete, and "Good night’; the abruptness of these greetings. if not exactly rude, sounds very little short of it, and we should be greatly appreciative if we should hear once more the cordial "Good evening. eyerybody." from the YA stations.-

Mangatutu.