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Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 38, 1 April 1932, Page 7

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_ \ LICENSES are due-Have you renewed yours? The Post Office people tell me that renewals have come in particularly well so far, in spite of the depression. These early renewals represent, of course, the old loyal brigade who wouldn’t be without the radio for worlds. The question is, will the rate keep up? There is talk on all sides of "cutting out the radio." Frankly, I don’t believe that. I believe that radio will increase in popularity through the depression. % " * WEY? Well, we must all have our fun. Radio is the cheapest fun and entertainment going. It thrives on hard times. Germany: recently suffered a further drastic cut in wages and salaries. No country in the world probably is so poor as she is. Her suicide rate through poverty is up four times normal. Everybody is suffering in proportion. Yet the last year saw an increase of five hundred thousand licensed listeners. Investigation into this increase showed that the "cuts" had made it impossible for a wider circle to go to the cinema, the opera and the restaurant. So they came to radio. The same thing will happen here- except the suicides! Unable to go out, we will stay home more and .bring the radio into the home. Many are saying that they will drop radio. They might-for a fortnight, then they will come back-and bring others with them. * * * ‘OOD News! Titles of dinner music once more in the programmes. This will be keenly welcomed by all music lovers. * * % I HEAR on all sides growing interest in the music lovers’ competition, with its challenge to the memory and knowledge of listeners, I am sure that the interest that has been

aroused will necessitate further competition of this character later. Obviously listeners must have titles on which to hang their memories of tunes.

37, is to be congratulated upon securing Mr. Syd Reid to speak on behalf of Mr. Telford, who desired to express his thanks to the New Zealand public for their interest in Phar Lap. The i®formation that the horse was still fed on New Zealand fodder would surprise most listeners. That this country grows good grass is well known through our dairy and mutton industries, but it is not generally known that our fodder is in great demand by racehorse’ owners abroad. First-class horses even so far afield as India are regularly fed on New Zealand fodder. * * % [ NOTICE that one bright intellect suggested that Parliamentary debates should be broadcast. Mr. Forbes has refused. That is the soundest decision he has ever made. % a + FOLLOWING on strong protests the Commonwealth Government has abandoned its idea of political control of broadcasting and purposes estab-

lishing an independent commission. A general manager at from a thousand to fifteen hundred a year will be required, and it is proposed to appoint one or two liasion officials in

London to skim the cream of British developments for Australia. Major Keith’s name is suggested for this position. Would it not be possible for New Zealand to co-operate in some way with such an officer in London-pos-sibly sharing the expenses. I am satisfied that as time goes on the broadcasting authorities throughout the world will need to pull together more and more and pool their resources and experiences. x * * T was proposed earlier that Australian A stations should be allowed to accept commercial advertising. In response to strong protests that has been dropped. * * a ITH the abolition of daylight saving and the approach. of winter, listeners who habitually tune in to Australia notice a decided improvement in reception and will be able to retire earlier-without getting Chili! =

A CURIOUS instance of the accuracy of popular rumour occurred in connection with Phar’ Lap’s victory in Agua Caliente. The announcement was not made by either Press or radio until nearly twelvethirty on Monday, whereas rumour was active from eleven-thirty to the effect that Phar Lap had won by five lengths. The source of this information was not given, but I am now led to understand that a skilful amateur in Gisborne secured it on shortwave. * * * ME. VON HAAST’S treatment of "Nikko and Old Japan" from 2YA was entertaining and very well done. To give a word picture of the temples of an old Oriental family and convey the spirit of feudalism is a difficult matter when dealt with by a Westerner for an Occidental audience. The speaker’s reference to stork in flight reminds us that the artistic faculty was highly developed in Old Japan, and his description of the garish art, which is not art at all, was a painting that discerning listeners would appreciate. An enigma to the Occidental is the artistry of some of the Japanese representations of nature and the grotesque handicraft that stalks under the cloak of art, which holds no reflection in nature. I would like to hear Mr, von Haast again. * * % UNDERSTAND that the W.E.A. is arranging two talks a week for each of the YA stations. This organisation does fine work and possesses some good speakers: In the past some have been heard that were, to put it mildly, not so good. It is a shame to hear good matter murdered. If good vigorous speakers are chosen this series should be welcome, and may encourage the formation of study circles amongst listen- * ns

Maori Entertainers Will present Maori and Hawaiian Vocal and Instrumental Numbers ‘’ from 2Y A On April 9

ere, Such circles are very popular Britain. , * ; 2 * 'A SHORTWAVE club has been successfully floated in Auckland. Whis follows on the lines of the Wellington club and will, I am sure, b @ success, ca 2 * IANTERBURY listeners will be pleased that 3ZC will be saved for them by its purchase by the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Assoeiation. The plan is to maintain the past musical programmes but to render a special service to farmers with market reports and other matter of special value to the farming community. Friends in Canterbury have told me that the weekly: market report of stock prices at Addington has meant thousands of pounds to them and their friends. With prompt knowledge of current prices given by radio there has been no opportunity for slick city buyers to "‘pick up a line cheap," a bd * I NOTICE that the "Auckland Star" drops a word of criticism in regard to broadcasting administration. In reviewing the radio season and the work of the board it says: "Two steps it has taken-a study of the problem of coverage and the plebiscite of listeners-promise well, but there is

a feeling that the Post and Telegraph Department rather than the board itself, is dictating broadcasting policy overlong. This may be unavoidable. Listeners would like to know the full position. Mr. Hands, of course, who is acting as general manager, is on loan from the Post and Telegraph Department, and it is understood will eventually go. back to that department. He was lent to the board because for some six years past he has been in close touch with various angles of broadcasting and possesses a knowledge of copyright and other matters invaluable at this stage. It is difficult to see where he could be replaced at present but eventually doubtless an effort will be made to secure an independent commercial administrator. « % * Mz. FORSYTH’S talk on Bond’s hosiery (2ZW) was entertaining and instructive. The speaker traced the silk stocking industry from silkworm culture in Japan to the article manufactured in Wellington. His description of beautiful Japan with its towering mountains and its mulberry and maple groves, gives further enchantment to a pair of silk stockings. The activities of the local factory go to show how far our country has advanced in the indus- trial era.

ES GEORGE MANNING’s talk on "The Economic. Problems of New' Zealand" (3YA) was lucid in explanation of the trade depression, but his remedy was not clear. Mr. Manning advocates. the creation of credit by the banker. These institutions accept depositors’ money and lend it to finance ordinary business. How credit may be created when it has already been done to the safe limit, was not explained. The bank’s first concern is their own and their depositors’ security, and safe banking institutions were never more necessary than they are to-day. To relieve the harassed taxpayer and the heavily burdened Government, the lecturer exhorted the alteration of regulations, which would permit of the disposal of the gold backing at an enhanced price, and left listeners with the impression that the gold holdings belong to the taxpayer and the Government. We all want a cure for our financial malady and we will look forward to hearing Mr. ‘Manning again-provided he keeps off the soap box. x * x NOTICE that radio writers are showing interest in the price to be paid to the Radio Broadcasting Company. The Christchurch "Press,’’ for instance, says: "The purchase price fixed for the Government to

pay the late Radio Broadcasting Company is practically double what was commonly anticipated and there was probably an erroneous assumption that a second-hand figure would

be placed upon the stations. It was evidently: not thought at all likely that the company would claim as for a good going concern, as it appears has occurred. Without any details it is impossible to make further comment, but surely the listening public should be given the statements made by both sides when presenting their sides of the case.

I can’t quite follow why this writer thinks the company should not have claimed as for a good going concern. It was going all right, and has now "sone"! It would certainly be of interest to all to know the valuations submitted by both sides. The Radio Broadcasting Company might easily have failed and lost its money as similar ventures did in South Africa and India. By good management. it succeeded, and is entitled to compensation for the risk it took and the assets it built. & € = AUCKLAND gave General Higgins a fervid welcome and small-set owners in Wellington may expect to hear some stirring speeches when the General arrives in our city. 2 * + A LITTLE station in Hastings-2ZI-has been heard in New York, U.S.A. The check-up is absolutely reliable and the performance is authentic. This is much to the credit of Mr. Paul Barcham-engin-eer operator at 2ZI, which operates on Monday and Thursday evenings. * % a DB, a station in Victoria, recently advertised for an announcer for the Ballarat station. They received over 100 applications. They included men from at least two professions and others who had held important executive positions, yet only a small percentage of them could speak English correctly. Fewer than twenty had voices that were pleasant to listen to, and not more than half a dozen pronounced the name of Rachmaninoff correctly. The position has not yet been definitely filled, and the final choice ,will be made after several of the most. promising applicants are tested in actual work before the microphone. ‘Nhat experience prompts the com- \

* * * Star Moths ot the Zantac is the title of a series of talks being broadcast from 2YA by Mr. A. Quinnell. The next will be presented at 7.40 p.m. on April 7.

ment that the inaccurate pronunciation of foreign names and titles here in New Zealand is appalling. It was worse in the earlier days, but there are still notable deficiencies. A few hours study would correct the more obvious errors and avoid those frequent jars which distress the travelled and educated listener. * * " WHEN I read this paragraph in "World Radio" I thought of Mr. Nimmo and station 2ZW and "what might have been"’:-"The visit to Brussels of the French Minister has had the indirect effect of closing the private Brussels station, Radio-Sch-aerbeek, Brussels. This station, since the publication of the Ministerial decree prohibiting commercial advertising by wiseless, took to violently attacking the Belgian Minister and his colleagues. Nightly, the announcer of the station criticised the X-N.R. and its directors, and on sev‘eral occasions, particularly during ‘its last few days, abuse was addressed to the Belgian Minister, M. Bovesse. The French Minister also was referred to in a rude way by Radio-Schaerbeek, which is well heard throughout the Brussels area, on the occasion of his visit to Brussels. The Belgian Government naturally could not tolerate insult being offered to the representative of an allied country by a station authorised by the Government. Consequently, the Director of Radio-Sch-aerbeek was ordered to cease transinitting by December 30. As he did not, seals were affixed to the equipment on the following day."

© HAERE is a bright idea for hard times. A mobile broadcasting station is operating in the country districts of Australia, giving a onenight programme at each stop. It works on advertising such commodities as sheep dip, plough shares, etc. The station is housed in two motor vehicles, one equipped with the transmitter and the other fitted as a studio. Two collapsible steel masts, 40 feet in height, are carried, and these are erected 120 feet apart to support the aerial. There is a petrol engine for generating power, and the programmes are provided from 400 gramophone records, which may be supplemented with local talent. The indications are that the venture will pay its way. & & * HE illuminating short treatise on the "Origin and Occurrence of Is" (2ZW), given by Mr. Voco, was well worth hearing. This type of informative lecturette, especially when so ably delivered, is what broadeasting is for, and is preferred to the soughing of second-grade artists. The speaker referred to the theories held regarding the origin of oil, and stated that the organic theory had the greater support. Further, that a vegetable base appeared the more likely as vast accumulations of vegetable matter were seen even to-day, whereas it was difficult to conceive an enormous conglomerate of animal matter naturally deposited. Has. Mr. Voco ever seen a frog pond that has dried up before the tadpoles assumed frog form?

RECENTLY heard one of the series of "celebrated trials’ being described from 3AR, Melbourne. A synopsis of this,series shows it to be very interesting. It covers cases in which there was a reasonable doubt such as that of the Seddons, straight out murders such as those by Deeming and lLandru, famous. treason trials such as those of Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Roger Casement: and describes two master criminals in Jonathan Wild and Charles Peace. Crime and criminals exercise an irresistible fascination at all times and this series it is known is attracting intense attention. » cs * IBL recently broadcast a military tattoo. A human and humorous feature of the evening was the effort of a young man from up country to tell "Mum" in the backblocks of his experiences in the city. * bo ESPITE the general depression, it appears that the Olympic Games to be held this year at Los Angeles will not suffer to the extent that may have been supposed. -Plans for accommodation were laid in preslump days and the Americans in their usual manner made _ prepara- —

tions on an elaborate scale. KFI, however,: announces that accommodation is almost filled, and intending visitors are, in consequence, advised

to write immediately for reservations. As remote countries are able to send only a restricted number of athletes this year, these will be of

-their very best, and this Olympiad should stand out as the greatest yet held. * * * URBAN’S new -announcer, Mr. Duncan T. Little, before emigrating to South Africa, was in the book-selling profession in London, where he gained considerable popularity in inaugurating free lectures by noted literary men. Included amongst these were G. K. Chesterton, Gilbert Frankau, Walter de la Mare, Hilaire Belloc and Sydney Dark. While working as a free lance journalist in the Transvaal Mr. Little delivered from Johannesburg station a series of lectures on "Books I Have Read" and "Authors I have Met." These had so great an appeal that Mr, Little was subsequently engaged as announcer. BY * * OOD-MUSIC lovers regret the progressive lightening in character of the Wednesday night programme from 2YA. On the one evening of the week when all records are used, an opportunity presented itself to give the musician at least an hour of the world’s best record~ ings.

Two Sketches "The Art of Love" and. writing a Play" will be presented from 2YA on April 5 by Linnie Nicholas and Yryn Evans