Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 10, 16 September 1932, Page 6

Our Mail Bag

Short-wave Broadcasting. yy last week’s "Record" a query was _ put forward by "Seinde," Napier, the entertaininent to be had from distant stationS on shortwave, Now the answer given to this very important question would lead ‘one to .think that while. the programmes are occasionally "svorth their salt," they are nothing to be compared with those on broadcast, To this statement I am sure the authorities on short-wave have regarded with disgust its denouncement of not. ‘only the programmes received from’ ‘distant stations but also the progress in the last few years, during which time we have had "entertainment" which has not only been varied but unique ‘in the ears of its listeners. _ We, as short-wave listeners, are acecustomed to hearing the programmes of foreign countries, which include announcements in English, so that these programmes become far more popular than those we hear from elsewhere. Take, for instance, the week-end in-

ternational short-wave programmes broadcast from VK2ME, Sydney, "a local on short-waves." This station provides for its listeners the very best of selected recordings, of. a varied nature, and occasionally relays from the studios are carried out. Perhaps the best known of these was the opera broadeast recently, not. to forget the All Blacks’ games, which were made possible for us to hear through the facilities of this short-wave station. Any experienced short-waver can vouch for .the entertainment we have on short-wave, and could at the same time prove to "Scinde" that shortwave programmes are really and truly bbe _ their salt.’-NZ16W (Wellington). Questionnaire Results, PLBARTY congratulations to the Controlling Board on the result of the Questionnaire, particularly as regards the number of listeners to. the YA staions. The figures are illuminating, and go to show the "inspired" origin of much of the adverse criticism published in your columns and in the dailies, Personally, I have every faith in the Board and its management, and consider that only biased writers can deny the great all-round improvement manifested in recent months. In any ‘case, what is -proof of a satisfactory service? Seems to me that only the license figures tell the true story, and according to those you recently published all records have been broken since January, when the

Board tqok over-

Fair Deal

(Wel- |

lington).

Unfair Criticism. "THE figures extracted from. questionnaires are convincing, and cause me to wonder what some of your ‘‘die- ~ hard" critics will say to cover themselves. I have all along been of the opinion that the YA service was deservedly popular, and that many critics were actuated by ulterior motives. That I was right is clearly shown. by the figures published in your last issue.

Satisfied

(Wellington).

falue of the Board. "PHE result of the plebiscite taken by the "Radio Record" is interesting for several reasons, but, to me, chiefly because it gives the lie direct to those who have striven to discredit the new control by stating their stations were not listened to. So much propaganda has been put over that it has become nauseating, and listeners will new be

in a position to appreciate its worth.. A moment’s reflection will indicate reasons for the "anti-Board" attitude of. a few correspondents. For example, I recently heard an artist who has not been broadcast at the Board’s station for months criticising the management bitterly for not giving him more frequent engagements. As a matter of: fact, he is a poor artist, and apparently the Board is aware of that fact; set no one could convince him of it. He indieated his intention of "exposing" the management, the General Manager in particular, through the newspapers. No doubt there are many similar cases, for it is evident that the services of a

lot of inferior performers have been dispensed with, so that some of the propaganda is accounted for. Then there are the private interests connected with "B" stations to consider. Some of these people are fighting for subsidies, and think that wholesale condemnation of the YA service is a means to that end. The figures revealed by the plebiscite are convincing, and show up the propagandist in his true colours.. While I am not pleased by all the items broadcast by the Y’s, I think they are doing good work, and that a vast improvement has been

shown.-

Impartial

(Wellington).

Let Us Be Reasonable. LISTENERS are still criticising B stations, so evidently there exist in our midst some who, "Give them the world, and they will complain." With a promise of coverage, increased power, longer, hours, no silent days, and race meeting relays, the Broadcasting Board deserves some appreciation and ei; couragement. A fair criticism will always méet with consideration, but excesses should not be encouraged; just think of those who appreciate that which you condemn. To prevent monotony, which also irritates some listeners, why should the board not be prevailed upon to change, the "Good-night" melody weekly? In conclusion, I.ask "Wairoa" to restrain his feelings, and refrain from describing B station programmes aS "tripe" and "tosh." No doubt "Wairoa" has been only ‘too glad to listen to B stations from time to time, and shoukt the A stations close down for a month (merely a supposition) would he not rain eniorment from B station pro-

grammes?

-Chas. Iles

(Christchurch).

Literary Competition, HAVE been a radio listener for the past five years, but never have I enjoyed anything so much as the literary competition just concluded. The material, was particularly well chosen, and its presentation left nothing to be desired. I wish to thank the Radio Board for affording such enjoyable en-~

tertainment in so able a manner.

J.

Gentles

(Wellington).

) An Appreciation,’ At a time when the radio authorities ,are being assailed with so much criticism. in regard to programmes, -I° feel bound. to.express the appreciation of this household to the wonderful programmes being broadcast: on Wednesday nights. Last Wednesday, in’ particular’ was most enjoyable. Firstly, there was a section of the literary competition, admirably done, ‘and, secondly, two hours of first-class recordings. I can honestly say we have never heard.a better pro-

gramme:

Gramophone

(Wellington).