Editorial Notes

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 52, 8 July 1932, Page 4

Editorial Notes

Wellington, Friday, July 8, 1932.

TISTENERS have experienced two special developments in the past week which augur well for the future of broadcasting. These have been the rebroadcast of short-wave transmissions from Australia of the important features of running descriptions of the All Black Test matches and the grand opera performance of "Lucia de Lammermoor’; on the other hand, a recorded speech on a literary subject by John Buchan. Each development is of special moment in its own field. Rebroadcasts of short-wave transmissions from distant points of the world are certain to be of growing importance in the future. Already the British Broadcasting Corporation has begun the farseeing plan of establishing a strong short-wave station for the special purpose of serving distant points of the Empire with news and features of interest. In the first instance, the B.B.C. is bearing the total cost. Ultimately those parts of the Empire overseas which directly benefit by that enterrise on the part of the Home ountry may make some financial contribution. The important feature is that the development shall proceed: and service be given listeners throughout the Empire. This direct contact with Britain will unquestionably be an outstanding feature in the relatively near future, and in its attainment will attract an everwidening circle of listeners. Technical problems necessarily have to be overcome in clarifying transmission and eliminating as far as possible extraneous noises and static. Each year, however, sees the technical experts overcoming difficulties more and more and giving the listener better and better service.

"THE time factor operates to the disadvantage of New Zealand in direct contact with short-wave broadcasts from England, in that our clock is the direct reverse of Britain’s. That, however, can be overcome either by special transmissions for us and countries in similar plight, or by the recordings of the performance and their retransmission at times to suit. The important factor is that, once given the machinery for direct contact by short-wave between Britain and the outer parts of the Empire, a capacity for development is opened up which will bring new and richer treasures to listeners. , m * 4

MORE initial pleasure in reception attached to the second feature mentioned, viz., the recorded utterances of John Buchan. This distinguished author took for his subject the "Life and Works of Sir Walter Scott," and in the 15 minutes of his discourse dealt most concisely, pungently and illuminatingly with the work and literary quality of that famous writer. No listener can have heard John Buchan’s diction and voice without pleasurable emotions. Equally certainly, similar pleasure will attach to the further recorded speeches to be given by J. B. Priestley and Hugh Walpole on succeeding Wednesdays. These speeches are brought to us by the enterprise of a new organisation specialising in the issue of colonia! programmes. A broad range of offerings, it is understood, is being developed by this organisation and, given ‘adequate appreciation by listeners of the selections made, it is certain that this feature will expand, and in its expansion bring to

us a direct and pleasurable contact with life and thought in Britain. Distinguished authors and artists in Britain are responding appreciatively to the invitation to record for overseas audiences. They are accepting reduced fees in order that their friends abroad may enjoy through radio direct contact with the best in current life and thought. For that attitude on their part, we and listeners in general are grateful. It is another debt among the many which Britain confers upon

her kin overseas. We, as recipients of the generosity, are highly appreciative of the attitude dictating it, and of the modern development which makes it possible. We have heard nothing but appreciation of the recorded broadcast of the series initiated, and if the others are of the same quality, as we have every confidence they will be, then we trust that this success will lead to as rapid a development as possible of the policy of procuring from Britain the best recordings available. ,