STATIC

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 43, 6 May 1932, Page 14

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IN shortly surveying the writings of of D. H. Lawrence, the Rev. W. Jellie (1YA), in his virtual apology for Lawrence’s alleged blasphemy, rather belittled the speaker’s own appreciation of the sincerity of this talented writer. The recital of the poem to his dead mother, however, gave us the speaker’s true estimate of the poet. No writer has caused or merited more controversy among the orthodox since Shaw, whose technique and palpable perversions had been well studied. Without the graces of life, Lawrence, though floundering in the slough of unhealthy sex, could yet rise to spiritual heights, but his stamina was not stiff enough to keep him betwixt and between. The unhealthy outlook snapped the thread that suspended him. m aa a NUMBERS of newspaper readers never do more than scan the headlines of cable news, relegating to the waters of Lethe all details as being too dry for consumption. These readers, however, are often avid for such news if verbally imparted, and for this reason Dr. Guy H. Scholefield is a great boon. The talk given from 2YA on "The Sterling Convoy," explaining the cause and effect of exchange instability, was timely and would be welcome to many. I hope our commentator on world topics is a permanently established institution. «x ss. e JF Captain A. Torrance, who complains of the lack of humour in N.Z., had listened to the Ipana Revue’ on Wednesday night, from 2ZW, he would now surely qualify his remarks. Sailor-like, he nfight have had his growl and say the voyage started off too respectable-like to be realistic, and that expurgated versions of sea songs are too purified to be really humorous, but he would recognise that allowances have to be made. Environment is often necessary for full appreciation of the subilety of some humour, and New Brighton, N.Z., not being Douglas, 1.0.M., might have something to do with it. » * . * N Monday afternoon, wishing to see the carillon ceremony, I made early tracks for the scene, but was unable to get anywhere near. Recalling that a friend intended viewing the happenings with a party from a position quite handy, I wended my way toward his vantage point. There, in the full sun, out of the wind, with a picnic basket and a portable receiver, we saw and heard everything comfortably. * a = THE flurried visit with Mr. Von Haast to the Florentine galleries and churches, with their riot of colour, their priceless frescoes and

the old masters’ chef-d’oeuvres was a transport of joy to the wayfarer and non-traveller alike. To that transitional period with the renaissance of learning and freedom of thought which the mediaeval age so effectually crushed, the modern world owes all its culture. This reincarnation of intellectual emancipation rapidly spread throughout Europe and penetrated eastwards as far as India, where Akbar the Great-the seer of the Mogul Empire-firmly founded

European culture, which was, unfortunately, strangled less than a century later by Asiatic intolerance. We in the Dominions lose much by Leing domiciled so far from the source of culture, but Mr. Von Haast does much to’fill the void that is enshrouded by the greatnesses which we boast of-frenzied football and butter-fat production. « * * I WAS glad to hear 2ZW, in giving details relative to Anzac Day observance, mention that 2YA was to broadcast the proceedings in connection with the handing over and dedication of the National War Memorial Campanile. Plain duty to listeners demands such announcements, and approbation being the greatest incentive to every effort, there is a unanimous murmuring of "carry on." , ™ * s DISTANT listeners interested in Dr. Fisher’s talks, "What I Saw in Russia," were disappointed on Tuesday night, and consequently his impressions of the working of the "Five Year, Plan" were not sheard,.

Static was never worse. 4YA, until quite recently, has given good reception in Wellington, but at the beginning of the week the station somehow or other became unhitched and is now like an abandoned womanpainful to listen to. " * * IL is found in such outrageous places that:'I am apprehensive of Mr. Voco’s visit with 2ZW to some of them. With a stretching of the imagination and assistance from Ketelby, Rimsky-Korsakoff and Co., we traversed Persia very nicely, but if we are to be treated to national music when we get further east I shall be required to switch off, | think. Still, nobody knows-Mr. Voco might have something surprising up his sleeve and make the musical portion of his concert as acceptable as his car talks. J Bd * MR. McCARTHY, of Mack’s Radio, tells an interesting tale of the early days of broadcasting bell music. For the Palace of Engineering, Wembley Exhibition, Messrs. Vickers, Ltd. made a set of bells at their Barrow-in-Furness works. When the exhibition was opened, half the workmen were sent to London-the other unfortunate half, of necessity being required to remain to attend to urgent work. London had never been heard in Barrow up till that time, and Mac., who happened to be there, with his Rolls-Royce of those ‘days-a four-valver-offered to let the works ‘hear the broadcast. This was gratefully accepted and reception being good, Mac. was quite the hero. * mt * ONE of the foremen of the works was so impressed with the reception of London that his thoughts flew backwards and he told Mac he would give anything for his old folk to hear the new miracle. Prompt offer to oblige was again made, and on Sunday afternoon the set. was installed ina house far away in the Cumberland hills. The bush telephone of those parts must have been busy, as forgathered at the house were people from scattered parts of the country. After listening for some time, one burly farmer asked, pointedly if Mac expected them to believe that the music and speech came from London. "You just heard the announcer say ‘2L0, London,’ didn’t you?" said Mae, and that started the arguing, as prior tv this the gathering had somehow vaguely assumed the set to be a new-fangled gramophone, which was understood even in those remote parts. Those who know Mac ean understand that his endeavour to convince an incredulous crowd could casily make them hostile, and understand, too, that a

hurried return, unfeted, undaunted, yet unhurt, was a lucky escape from Wild Cumberland. * * = Att will agree that oratory is not totally unassociated with public speaking in New Zealand after listening to 2YA recéntly, on two cinsecutive Sunday afternoons, and jn Anzac Day at the Campanile. " * = * (THE Otago Electric Pemwer Board has adopted the attitude that it is not their responsibility to locate leaks that affect wireless reception. It contends that as the Post and Telegraph Department collects the fees for the Broadcasting Board, the department should locate the. leaks, which the Power Board would then attend to. Now, what. does that mean? If a faulty joint in the ceiling of a private residence is causing trouble, must the P. and T. Department put its finger on the spot, or will a general direction be suffi- Y cient? There are places where a fault-finder would. show a leak on every degree of the compass. In that case, will the Power Board make, a start on reticulation renewal? Further, is the Public Works Department to have no say in the matter? * ™ = I LISTENED to the broadcast policy speeches of the Acting-Premier of Victoria and the Leader of the Opposition in New South Wales with keen interest, and do believe that a similar departure would be acceptable to listeners in New Zealand. It seems a pity that the greatest vehicle for the dissemination of vitally important matter should be withheld merely because of the justifiable apprehension that politicians might use the occasion as a wedge to introduce eternal party propaganda. The butt end of the wedge can be kept out without causing any political jealousies. Not even the mogt bigoted party hack would claim thfat party bickering and recriminations are of universal interest. Only the peculiar want to listen to parliamentary debates, as a visit: to the Strangers’ Gallery will demonstrate, and the only ones who have advocated that debates should be broadcast are a few self-opinionated politicians. _I believe that the general body of listeners would be magnanimous enough to help save the parliamentary tradition by refusing to listen to debates. Policy speeches, however, are different. * * " (THE Anzac Day evening programme ° of 2ZW was that beautiful one, the recorded version of the "Daily Express" Remembrance Festival, helu at the Royal Altert Hall, under the auspices of the British Legion, on the tenth anniversary of the signing of y

¢ the Armistice, November 11, 1928. The records included the reception of their Majesties the King and Queen, the singing of war songs, addresses by Earl Jellicoe and the Deputy Chaplain-General of the Forces, a prayer offered by the Bishop of London, and the hymn (community singing) "Abide With Me." The very human touch of the programme was that characteristic talk of the Dean of Canterbury, fondly known to the troops as Dick Sheppard, from the text, in a Tommy’s letter in reply to a complaining one from home: "Let me enjoy this ’ere war in peace." The proceeds derived from the sale of the festival records go to the funds of the British Legion, and for this and their historical value, should be in every gramophone library. * * * FEAR that the high-class programmes to be given by the new "@" stations in Australia might be oy wavelengths above a thousand métres, has been allayed by the Director of Postal Services, who has intimated that the stations will operate on the ordinary broadcast band. What many in New Zealand will fear now is that heterodyning will spoil reception. We all know that annoying whistle on 1YA. * _ * I UNDERSTAND that a very famous footballer. is to be heard shortly from 2YA, and whether the listener is a follower of the game or not, he cannot afford to miss him. * * * LISTENERS thought they were in for a treat when fire broke out opposite 2YA studio on Saturday night and Mr. Announcer got his microphone in full view. Then the fire brigade interfered. Have listeners no rights? * Ly . THE Apollo Singers are to be commended for rendering us a musical English history lesson in singing "Sumer is icumen in" and awakening again the doubt expressed by Kingsley as to whether the Norman Conquest had done anything for England or not. Reading, made famous by Oscar Wilde, and to-day an outer suburb of the metropolis, was the heart of rural England 700 years ago. The singing of the historical round transported us to the common with the yeoman and the yokel pleasurably pictured cavorting on the green. There will arise one day a new Richard Green who will teach us to hold Brother John of Fornsete in. greater reverence than the conquering raider. * * * OYA'S football announcer, Charlie Lamberg, has got his second wind again and he causes a great deal of excitement among the children in my neighbourhood. MI saw a little fellow listening to the match last Saturday booting an imaginary ball each time the description led one to believe a kick was opportune, and whenever a player made a spectacular run, he crouched in readiness to collar him. The youngster is just «six years old, but he will be on the field in a year or so. * * * Me. E. T. FISK, of Amalgamated Wireless, recently expressed the opinion that an error was made when 2FC and 3LO were compelled to shorten their wavelengths. All

will agree that the normal broadcast band is becoming overcrowded. My set of the early days had.a coil each for high and low. With its wide range it did not give quality reception as we know it to-day, nor was it as selective as the modern set, although the later sets cannot bring the programmes in from a distance any better, if as well. Even in those’ days in Sydney the lower band seemed

to be crowded and the quietude up on top was remarkable in comparison. [RELAND’S new 30, 000 "watt broad- . easting station, to be built by the Free State at a cost exceeding £10,000, will be situated about three miles from Athlone and is expected to be in operation by September next.