Editorial Notes.

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 51, 30 June 1933, Page 4

Editorial Notes.

Wellington, June 30, 1933.

3 are moved to comment this week upon human vagaries, the subtleties of human moods, the influence of indigestion upon the appreciation of art, and the little meannesses to which poor humanity is liableso long as it is shrouded in the cloak of anonymity. A most interesting section of all newspapers is the correspondence corner, in which he with an idea and she with a whim (not that she also may not have an idea but one must round out a phrase) are permitted by long-established practice the opportunity o£ advancing thoughts and fancies for popular discussion. The very variety and diversity of the topics so discussed adds a lure to the section and makes it frequently the most regularly-sought corner of the paper. UT interesting as the items may be that are published they perhaps on occasions fall short in interest of those that are not published! To an editor’s desk there come many effusions. For the genuine views sanely and conservatively expressed, there is always a welcome, whether those views are in assent or dissent of Q paper’s policy. But, alas, there is a class of correspondence from which no paper can expect immunity-the anonymous correspondent-normally with a bias or twist for an objective which makes the writer undesirous of revealing his or her identity. All newspapers of repute have the rule that correspondence must be signed as a guarantee of good faith. This offers no initial difficulty to a certain type. "Waked" signatures and addresses are easy-revealed ‘only too clearly when test letters forwarded to the address. given are returned through the "dead letter office"! ROADCASTING, with its multiplicity of artists, announcers, programme organisers and so on, is so full of the personal aspect, and is so dependent upon the personal contact established between the listener and the service, that perhaps understandably there is opportunity for a greater expression of individual view than in any other phase of modern life. It is impossible that all people shall react similarly to the same item. Every day the diversity of taste, the variability of mood, is: emphasised. For instance, an acquaintance recently damned by bell, book and candle the previous evening’s broadeast-in . particular a certain item. What:was wrong with it?-was it too long, lacking. in rhythm,. character or what?

Everything was wrong-too long, no colour, no character. Within an hour, that samé programme and the very item was the subject of considered

praise-quite one of the best items for a long time-not too long, balanced, full of character.. Again from an obviously educated body arrived a let-ter-of protest against one YA station giving in one evening two Hawaiian melodies-her especial bete noir. The rival B station, she declared, was not guilty of such bad taste. As it happened an office listener had patronised that "B" station that very evening and was able to declare that had the lady listened throughout to her competitive nomination she would have heard not two but four Hawaiian melodies! Poor programme organisers! Surely there will be reserved for them in heaven 2 very special corner. ror it is to them that many very special "blasts" come here below. Thus from the little collection of anonymous letters that have not appeared we cull this: "With regard to classical. hours-they are not

merely dynamite-they are simply unbearable. I cannot imagine how they are able to find the trash which is broadcasted daily." But the anonymous writer generally gets down to personalities. Thus another: "If they pay --- -- for the -- he puts over they are wasting our money. It is about time they got rid of all these ministers of religidi-moaning parsons and flapdoodling old maids." And the -announcers don’t always please. Bven the general favourites have their definite enemies who write periodically but regularly protesting and demanding their dismissal froin the air! Sometimes the head of the axe sought to be ground is revealed. Occasionally when a new "artist has appeared a little spate of letters of appreciation immediately flows. On occasions thése are tested and fotind to be from bogus addresses. Publicity methods that don’t come off! Similar tactics are occasionally adopted for the recall of other artists. {NTHUSIASTS of various types swell the mailbag. Despite the little idiosyncrasies of some correspondents here indicated, the mailbag is an extremely valuable adjunct both to broadcasting and any newspaper. It is one to be encouraged. The great majority of letters are sound and sevsible. Amongst much wheat there must be expected some little chaff. The one big lesson conveyed by pertisal of mail matter is the infihite variety of human nature-in the- mental world as in the physical; what is one man’s meat is another man’s poison; therefore, tolerance, brothers, tolerance. Remember this sign from the Wild West Saloon: "Don’t shoot the pianiste; she’s doing her best." Instead, write the editor, but dip your pen in kindness and not in gall.