2ZB HAS A MAORI BIRTHDAY PARTY

Radio Record, 6 May 1938, Page 10

2ZB HAS A MAORI

BIRTHDAY PARTY

PRIME MINISTER PAYS HIGH TRIBUTE

Wellington’s commercial station, 22B, celebrated its first birthday with a pageant of Meori history at the St. James Theatre on Sunday night. Hundreds were refused admission to the theatre, which wes packed to the doors to see and hear Oriwa’s symbolic play, "Reo lri Rangi,"" played by Mr. P. K. Paikea and his Ratana Maori pleyers.

6 EO IRI RANGI" was probably the most spectacular entertainment ever produced by Maoris in Wellington. Played by a cast of 70, it captured much of the spirit and history of an ancient race whose civilisation was the most advanced and virile in

the Pacific. The declamation of the fiery canve sougs and the stirring music captured the imagination of the huge audience. But the gathering had its ceremonial significance as well. In a special message the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, wished 2ZB "Many happy returns," and paid a striking tribute to the success of the Commercial Service. "FANT MIS passes so quickly,’ he said, "that it hardly seem, a year since 2ZB was officially opened by my friend aud colleague, the Honourable I’, Jones. And it does) seel.so long ago that certain people were loud in their criticism of the Government’s decision to establish Commercial tudio stations in the Dominion. They even went so far as to say that listeners did not waut this new form of entertainment and yublicity. However, I believe Station 221 alone, during the past year, has received more than 50.000 congratulatory letters and many thousands of telephone calls-a substantial reply to erities. "T am sure Station 2ZB bas given good service to the listening public. 1lts activities have by no means been entirely commercial. Its interest in hospitals has proved a bvon tu thousands. Not only has it broadcast special sessious for the sick, but it has been responsible for equipping many hospital wards with radio sets. Tn other direetions, too, the station’s work has been outstanding---notably in its atten. ttou to the Maori people of the Dominion, the returned suldiers, and: many other sections of the community, _ "It was also stated by critics that the advertisers would

not support the service because they could not. receive value for their money. At the present time the Commercial stations are unable to cope with the demand for time on the air during their evening prograinmes. That, again, is a fairly sound answer, This success was achieved in spite

of great opposition, for I de not know of any enterprise which has had to overcome so much organised resistance to its establishment. "T would like all listeners to know that the policy of the Government when the Commercial chain was established has not been altered. We charged the Commercial Service with two things-oune, to provide listevers with an excellent service and, secondly, to support itself, : "T DON’T think there is much doubt about the service: these stations give. Station 2ZB, in common with the other three units of the Commercial Service, operates eighteen hours a day for seven days in the week, a greater. time on the air than any other broadcasting station in Australia or New Zealand. with the exception of one station in Sydney fhat is on the air for twenty-four hours a day. "Further, the service maintains a full 18-hour schedule ou fifty-five days in the year when it receives no revenue from advertising. The charges for week-day advertising are based upon the cost of providing this service, and, such profits as are earned from time to time will be used for improving it. If there is anything over when that hag been done, good use will be made of the money. "Despite the faet that the service has been in operation under a year, it is already self-supporting. "Listeners will be interested to know that the Commercial Service was not financed by any special grant by the Government; its initial capital was Jent to it ott of the

Broadcasting Fund, and the Commercial Service is called upon to repay this capital expenditure, and, furthermore, to pay ordinary standard rates of interest on the money it has borrowed. For its telephone, relay lines, postal, and all other Government services, the Commercial Service is called upon to pay the same rates as ally private business concern. It receives no concessions "It may interest you to know that this service directly employs a staff of two hundred and eighty, and approximately a further fifty are employed by programme and other agencies. During the year just closed, the Commercial stations paid a wage bill

of over £52,000, and spent over £17,000 on programmes. In addition, it is estimated that advertisers themselves spent over £25,000 on other feature programmes, "T WOULD like to tuke this opportunity of expressing ny congratulations to the Controller of the Commercial Broadcasting Service, Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour, and his staff for their work and

enterprise. Mr. Secrimgeour has received many tonguethrashings, geunerally when his own tongue und hands ure tied, but he has come through it all with the confidence and esteem of those who love fair play, and who are in a position to judge. "T know that I can promise the listeners even more enjoyable listening hours during the second year of the operation of 2ZB, and I leave to you, too, the decision as to whether the action of the Government in inaugurating this service was one Which has given something worth while" FrELICITATIONS to the Station Director, Mr. 8. J. Duff, and to his staff was conveyed by the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. 0. A. Hislop, who also praised the work of Oriwa and the Ratane party.

Later, Mr. Toko Ratana, M.P. Western Maori, conveyed the thanks of the Maoris of New Zealand, and those from Taranaki particularly, to Mr. C. G. ‘Scrimgeour, Controller of the Commercial Broadcasting Service, first for his employment of Maori announcers, and, secondly, for his great interest in the Native race, which, as a direct result, was emerging from.a lethargic past to a most promising future. Mr. Ratana was followed in similar straii by Mr. Paikea, who, as a mark of respect and gratitude in which Mr. Serimgeour was held by the Maoris, presented him with a valuable Maori mat.

HE play itself was a dramatisation by Oriwa of the great Maori migration in the fourteenth century. Practically all the performers had, at one time or another, toured in other lands with well-known companies +f Maori entertainers, . It fell naturally into its two main. parts, the first dealing with the ancient Maori, and the second with the Maori of modern days,

Much of the scene painting was done by Oriwa, himself un accomplished artist with the brush. THE work itself was extremely interesting, though it su?fered somewhat from being too long. drawn out. The material, however, was there, and the ability te portray it was a significant indication of the cultural renuissaunce of the Maori race in the last few years. THAT this renaissance is as welcome to the pakeha us te the Maori was plainly evident from .the enthusiasm with which the presentation was received.

A photograph of the presentation to the Controller of the NCBS, Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour, appears on page 21.