STATIC

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 16, 28 October 1932, Page 7

STATIC

Du

SPARK

A Case of Mis-interpretation.

"THIS week’s 5/- prize has been awarded "Blank" for the following story: "Rufus" told this one from 5CL. The manager said to the electrician, "I hear you and the leading lady had a fali out and are not on speaking terms. What’s the trouble?’ "Well, you know that scene in the third act where there is a black out and a quick change I thought she asked for lights, but what she wanted was tights." This finished the talk and the announcer was laughing as he said "Good-night."

‘A. CHARMING series of talks that has .been interrupted for some time was resumed by Mrs. Gordon’ Robertson from 1YA on Tuesday in her discourse on "Music and Beauty in Many Lands.". The speaker requested that the listener refiect once more upon the matter of the quest of beauty, and instanced the happiness of the people of fily and Japan where beauty is placed wipon an altar to be worshipped, In these countries they snap their fingers at poverty and enjoy a life of happiness unknown to the people of countries where ‘the material -is given first thought. . * * * By this talk Mrs. Robertson's theme was more particularly of the ‘beauty of sound in music, and her listeners were transported to the sunny land of beauty in music, Italy. Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries was the home of the arts. Here was the market for singers, instrumentalists, composers and operas, with an insatiable appetite for more music and yet more. Illustrious travellers all told the same story, of a country obsessed by a passion for music, which was heard everywhere in the streets and throughout the country. ,

JN Naples there were famous conservatories for the musical training of poor children and one of the graduates from one of these colleges was the great Pergolesi. Such was the enthusiasm of Italy that it seemed to northern ears, insincere, but this was quite wrong, for however slight the muances, none escaped the Italian discernment. In the 18th century Rome exercised a@ dictatorship over the whole of the Italian music, and it was here that the final verdict was pronounced upon new operas and composers, During this period, Germany .was patiently lgbouring and amassing stores of poetic a musical genius, with which to hold att the future, but Italy had her era that could not be forgotten, Mrs. Robertson requested listeners to watch the procession of genius that glided past through the ages, and spoke of Oristofori, who gave the world. the piano, of Stradella, who was stabbed to death in the midst of his triumphs, Pergolesi, doomed to die at the age of 26, Sante of Palestrina, who gloriously rescued the: church music from the hopeless condition of the 16th century. The Scarlattis, father and son, Verdi and Rossini, makers of opera and.mec)ody. Italy has neglected instrumental and orchestral music, but a new genius has arisen and ‘Respighi, Oasella_ and Perosi are endeavouring to enlarge the national outlook.’ Italy has cause to be-proud-of her past, and the glory of the future seems-to-be‘in her keeping.

N reviewing the merits and demerits of primary school curricula, Mr, A. H. Campbell (2YA) made out a strong case for the principle of the kindergarten as against the policy adopted by the traditional schovl. In the past, educational authorities have neglected the consideration that the child impulses require bodily action and the infant mind has been dissociated from the body. in the attempt to pour into it the accumulations of inform:tion. The vast majority of men. and women lead a life of action, in which abstract thought is of secondary consideration, and it should be the aim of school authorities to teach the scholars to live. :

PRIMARY education is really not concerned with how the adult is to make a living, or whether a pupil shows aptitude for science or physical exertion. The main object should be to inspire an interest in learning, and this should be done by encouraging healthy activities in which the body and mind develop together. Cultural yearnings should be given « chance to develop naturally, in an atmosphere in which the child is taught how to enjoy life, and the forcing methods adopted in primary schools of the past have not enjoyed the success that was. anticipated. One of the faults of the present system of early education is the preparation which culminates in the examination. Individual contact between examiner and pupil is not. ‘made in many essential subjects, and in consequence some avenues of knowledge are imperfectly viewed by the infant mind,

PRIMARY school curricula haye occupied the attention of the great educationists in Europe and America, and there is a unity of opinion that the system we-have at present needs radical reconstruction, upon a foundation which adopts the principle that the main object should be to teach. the pupil how to live, ~ ee eee

WHEN speaking from 3YA on the campaign for the election of America’s new president, Mr. L. C. Webb mentioned that very little space was given in speeches cr thought, to the economic situation or to the topics which immediately concern the people. The American Constitution does not permit the citizen to express directly i preference for the President, and this results in what has peen termed a conspiracy of stifling of current topics, by the political machine which elects the head of the State. In general the American people are apathetic in poli‘tics, and the percentage of voters who record their vote upon any issue in which they are entitled to exercise their obligation is comparatively low. * He * PoOLItics in England or New Zenland excite a great deal more interest among the people generally than in the U.S.A. In prosperous times enormous sums are spent by the political parties running a candidate. In the last election, four years ago, over 25 million dollars were spent by the two political parties The present campaign was a much quieter affair owing to the general business depression and the sad depletion of political funds. The issues involved in the forthcoming election are much the same as previous election issues, but the world’s stagnation probably gives them more point. The two main features are the tariff and the continuance or repeal of the eighteenth amendment. . x & x HE Democrat choice, Mr. Franklyn Rooseveldt, a cousin of the redoubtable Colonel Theodore, appeals to the small shop-keeper, the artisan and the professional man, while Hoover's party, the Republican, represents the large and organised business activities. Nooseveldt-is mainly a politician, anil it was said by Mr. Webb that he was ‘generally regarded as a trimmer. Through his prosecution of the Mayor of New York, Mr. J. Walker, for corrupt practices, he has incurred the opposition of Tammany, which organisa‘tion supports the Democratic party.

Hoover, who has been unfortunate in that his occupancy of White House has coincided with the slump, distrusts the mob and has on oceasion publicly said so. While not attempting to predict the outcome of the election, Mr. Webb thought that the Democratic nominge had a better chance in this election than at any time since the war. With ten millions or more unemployed, the policy of the parties arouses more interest than is usual, and although Hooyer has been far ‘tr om a successful President, many well-informed persons think that sympathy and Tammany, opposition to Rooseveldt, may result in Voover’s return.

FYROM 4YA on Wednesday, Mr. Lloyd Ross, with his customary lucidity. speculated upon some of the proposed plans for reconstruction, advanced by, half a dozen or more, well known economists. The speaker outlined . the foundations of the schemes suggested, and admitted that several had the appearance of being sound Should anyone of the plans be adopted in the pursuit for a return to prosperity, its structure would, however, necessarily. require modification as time proceeded, as in this changing world no institntion would be viewed as permanent, Orthodox economists were inclined to accept things as they exist at present, and endeavour to build upon a base that is of questionable soundness, or what might in the future, be regarded as quite imperfect. Many were inclined to view matters with a limited aspect, although all admitted the visiblg abundance of the world, that was now greater than during any period in history. ; k % xt IX spite of the earth being a wonderful factory, its people remain poor when the market for its produce is greater than ever before. All are agreed that there is no shortage of goods, but agreement is not found among economists whea methods of distribution are proposed. Each has @ tendency to advance a panacea which aims at an absurd standardisation ani¥ to labour the point that maladjustment can be remedied by the observance of ‘permanently laid down regulations. To suggest that any one of our institutions, or for that matter any group of institutions, is solely to blame for the problems that have. arisen, is merely the expression of a half truth. . Scientific production has outgrown our social institutions, and the remedy is a readjustment to suit modern conditions.