THE BROADCASTING BOARD

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20937, 18 August 1933, Page 4

THE BROADCASTING BOARD

TO THK EDITOR Of THE I'RBSB Sir,— Believing that a reputable newspaper such as "The Press" would not willingly be a party to misleading the public, I seek the privilege of correcting any false impression that may have been created by your contributor "Ariel" in your issue of July 15 last. In his article "Ariel," by dubious inference, implies that the New Zealand Broadcasting Board receives numerous letters complaining of Hie standard of the programmes broadcast, and that "stock" letters are sent in reply. After telling the old story about the general manager of an English railway company directing that a complainant be replied to by "the standard bug letter," "Ariel" proceeds: "I have mentioned this story because I have been told by 'a number of people' that they have written to the Radio Broadcasting Board complaining of the standard of programmes presented. And they have all received such nice gentle letters in reply. The board is doing its best to present balanced programmes . . . how difficult it is to please everyone . . . great improvement promised shortly . . . etc." It is my duty as general manager to investigate all complaints and to forward suitable replies to the complainants. In the last eight months we have received only four letters from the Canterbury district containing anything in the nature of complaints, while letters of appreciation run into hundreds over the same period. Two of those four letters emanated from the same address at Timaru, and are apparently from the same person. In no case has the phrase "great improvement promised shortly" appeared in any of our replies. From the foregoing facts your readers will realise that "Ariel's" conception of "a number of people" is uncommon, and when printed is decidedly misleading.—Yours, etc., E. C. HANDS, General Manager, the New Zealand Broadcasting Board. Wellington, August 16, 1933. [This letter has been referred to "Ariel," who will reply to it in his notes.—Ed., "The Press."]