Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 14, 14 October 1932, Page 11

Our Mail Bag

‘The News Session. S a country listener I think it would be a-step in the right direction if at 10 a.m., say, a quarter-bour was given to.a news session. We don’t all get morning papers, and news is always welcome on the farm,. I would like to congratulate the board on the improved lectures now put over the air, Could not two of the YA stations have different hours, say, 4 and 1¥A, 6 to 7 news, 7 to 8 music, and 2 and 3YA as they are? If one likes lectures now all four stations give lectures at the same time, and it makes it like a one-station' country.-NZ13W. ' Meditation Music. M4x I suggest the inauguration of ' half an hour’s meditation music at the end of 2YA’s concert on. Sunday nights, to consist of organ music, with .melodies like "Home, Sweet me," "Dieberstraum," "Serenade," ant other ballads? No announcement should be made-first a minute’s siience before each record, and perhaps & prologue, in the American style, This I think Mr, Drummond could ably perform, J might mention that the suggestion is for a session of .semi-clas-sical music-no fugues or marches, but dreamy meditation music.-‘Musiaue." Programme Suggestions. "THE broadeast of old-time dance musie from 2YA on September 24 was greatly appreciated. One member of ‘the famity became so enthusiastic that he started to waltz a chair around the room. We want a few more of these novelty nights. Might I make a few suggestions? An "Opera Night" I think would bé very acceptable, while a "Humour Night" would not be out of place-humour in songs and from comic operas, as well as "War Wit,’ together -With "highlights" by wellknown comedians would make up a splendid programme. Another night of this type is a "British- Isles Night." The programme should contain only English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish items of all types. Although it is not just the thing for the YA stations, I think that a "Popular Night" would be appreciated. The programme could be made up of the better class of popular items. Could someone enlighten me as to whether the board permits "requests’’? If so, why not have a "Request Night" sa ae ner Sed." t Dance Music Wanted. ITN your issue dated May 6 "AntiDance" (Waverley) complains of the number of dance records broadcast by 2YA during the day. This gentleman does not know what he is talking about, If there is a more one-sided programme breadcast in New Zealand than that from 2YA I have yet to hear it. I advise "Anti-Dance" to stay home one day and listen to 2YA from /10 a.m. to 5.‘pim., and he will hear all -the "good" music he requires. It is nothing but: light opera companies and "Ist and 2nd movements all day. We may hear a couple of dance items in the morning, but after noon it is all "highbrow." ¥rom 2 till 8 is the "Classical Hour." This is all right- { like good music, teo-but not hour

after hour of it. Why don’t they give us dance numbers after 3 p.m.? The classical hour’'is supposed to finish then, but it does not, and we are lucky if we hear a dance number before 4.45 p.m. This is followed by the children’s hour, and then from 6 to 7% more classical. music. It is about time 2YA catered for all listeners. The best two hours’ music in New Zealand now comes from 2ZW in the mornings, and these are request items, so it shows what the majority

wants:

M. B.

Signal

(Palmerston wN.).

Art Unions. AN you tell me why 2YA does not now broadcast the drawing of art unions? This morning the alleged broadcast by 2ZW was a complete wash-out so far as this district is concerned. It is no use advancing the excuse that my set is at fault as on the same morning it brought in 2FC, Sydney, and TZL, Hobart, at excellent volume. 2ZW is a notorious "fader," and to-day’s announcer has a muffled voice. When 2YA used to broadcast the drawing of these art unions it was a pleasure to listen to the station and Mr. Drummond. I am sure that thousands of listeners must have been disappointed . to-day.-"Hltham." Saturday Afternoon Broadcasts. NOTICH that "K.0." (Wanganui) complains that Saturday is the only day he can hear football matches. I wish to add that for people who are not football fans, the Saturday afternoon programmes are very boring. From each of the YA’s we get nothing but football. A little music from somewhere would be very much appreciated by those who work during the week and who have time to enjoy music on Saturday afternoons only. We enjoy race broadcasts on Saturday, as we are given selected recordings between each race.-"* Working Man." Little to Cavil At. H have appreciated the improvements made in the YA service recently, and consider that there is now little to cavil at. Don Bradman gave our boys a thrill, — and the board is deserving of praise for > their foresight and progress. Let the axe-grinders grind; it is my firm belief that very few genuine growls are made. Some write about the parsimonious method of the board. Need one ask whether or not these are artists who over-value their services?-"‘Acme" (Onehunga). Initiative, LL listeners with whom I have come in contact are praising the board for the initiative displayed in engaging Szigeti. The broadcast .was certainly a milestone in radio entertainment in this country, but to me it is rather a further evidence of the continuous endeavour which the board is putting forth to make broadcasting worth while. The old-time night, Bradman, Vinogradoff, Bobby Blay, Szigeti-al in a matter of a few days-well, here’s one-‘Satisfied Listener,’