Provocative First "War" Talk

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 43, 3 May 1935, Page 15

Provocative First "War" Talk

Lord Beaverbrook’s Words More Controversial Than Local Speakers’ May Be — Difficulties During Relays From Harbour-B Stations } Carry On --Local Humour.

T is to be hoped that everyone who reads these lines had the good fortune to-hear the first of the series of talks on "The Causes of War," broadcast recently by 4YA. Lord Beaverbrook’s views on the subject were chosen to open the series, and the speaker proved fascinating, forceful, and commanding. It is not the purpose \ here to give a critique of the talk, but ‘rather to speak in general terms of its value as a broadcasting item. Although some would find their personal views were not in accord with those of Lord Beaverbrook, they found him @ powerful. speaker, who introduced points. of viéw that have perhaps not been exploited before, and the majority would be in agreement with his reasoning in part, at least. One cannot imagine the station authorities daring to allow a local speaker to give the same talk, because of contravening the controversial law. regarding which , the Broadcasting Board has not yet announced its policy. At this point it is just as well to remind listeners that the next "Causes of War" talk is to be broadcast on May 2, when Mr. Win;Churchill will present his views. I/MHOUGH the wharves and some ‘of the. vessels in port were thickly covered by thousands of persons, who followed the progress of the eight-oar races rowed on the Upper Otago Harbour on Easter Saturday. there were still many who preferred .to listen to the broadcast descriptions rather than fight for a vantage point overlooking the water. _The broadcast of the twe races was carried out. from the launch Thetis, which followed the ‘contesting poats, and proved admirably suitable for the requirements of the wireless authorities. Others on board the jaunch did everything possible to assist the broadcasters, -who' were-given every facility ,f0.-ensure the ‘success of ». the. undertaking. The description given: of the first" race proved most. interesting, but it:was, most. regrettable that there was ‘such a delay between the final: of the first and ‘the beginning of the second even In ‘the ‘interval some " of: the." isteners became tired of. wailing, and it is very: probable that a greatly. depleted ‘audience ‘sat before the loudspeakers for’ ‘the second race. T will.be remembered that the morn- ee ing of the. boat races was not’ as. favourable as it might have been, and eC. it was,’ ‘therefore, not surprising that. the harhour-was choppy. "The launch on which’ the: ‘broadcasting gear was. placed :was:,open to. the. elements, and: the officials. from | the’ station "became ~ quite ‘concerned at-one.stage, when. the launch shipped ‘a: little more water than usual, drenching the:short-wave irdns- 2. mitter, and temporarily. throwing it out. of at altime when broadcasting was-not in progress, and there was just time tO strip, some of the plant, dry it, and refit ib for .work etion,. "Fortunately, ‘this occurred .

F{ASTER-TIME was anything but a holiday for 4YA. Besides the boat races, many other sporting events were concentrated on, and what with handling relays and receiving and aunouncing résults. from other centres, the station staff experienced quite a busy period. The finals of the tennis championships were naturally of interest, and these had to be. fitted into some of the daily schedules, while the inter-university tournament was also worthy of attention by the radio people. Altogether, the sporting activities held during the holidays were capably and completely dealt with in the interests of listeners, . WHILE still awaiting greatly needed " assistance from the Broadcasting Board, the B stations are carrying on their daily programmes as usual. There fre many listeners in southern quarters who are definitely B station minded, and for them the smaller’ stations are providing a fair measure of entertainment. . The B’s concentrate almost solely on the entertainment side of broadcasting, leaving the educational and cultural sides to be developed by the main station, which is moving slowly in these directions. Broapcastine comedians are none ‘too common in Dunedin, and it is therefore pleasing to listen to any who can be recognised as .above the average. An excellent.examplé of a clever humorist, who can "put the stuff over," is Mr. George Wycherley. In recent months the: programme organiser .at 4YA has made-more -frequent use‘of Mr. Wycherley’s services, and the artist’s topical jokes and puns have been very refreshing. Last week Mr. Wycherley had Mr. L, Hggers to assist him in his humorous :chatter bes fore the. microphone; and. their turn’ was different from gramophone. comedy because of the: "local colour:" Mr. Wycherley has always had a keen sense of-humour,-but he hag. not. dis‘played it in public very much in late ‘years until. the present time. . : ASSERS-BY in "Stuart. Street will "any, day -now notice workmen clam"pering: about the 4YA miasts,’and they ‘will: then "know ‘that the’ steel ‘towers Lare, receiving their annual overhaul be- © fore the winter sets. in.' Overhauling -. -flié ‘toivers’is by no: means A simple. task, ‘ag-the work’ has to’ be dove .in. such, aninute ’ ‘detail as’ to ensure that. when it: ‘is completed: the "safety of: tha.;.’ public in -the- streets" ‘below will in ho ‘t way be. endangeréd. by a ‘possible aecie dent! "Eyery nut: helping | to’ bina the® : ‘steel: bs of the.towers has to: ‘pe: ‘tésted a and: tightened, all.,traces: ofsrnSt must. ‘De -serapéd: off. anid: the by a special metallic paint, and stays and guy wires have also to be attended to, Where are: several minor details

that must receive attention before the towers are passed as fit to stand rigid for another, 12 months. HE Forbury Park Trotting Club's: next meeting will be held on May 2 and 4, and, as usual, the- various races will be broadcast for the benefit of those who will .be unable to be on the.course. Trotting is a very popular sport in the Dunedin district, and consequently all broadcast descriptions: of the races are closely followed ° ‘by. listeners,