BROADCASTING

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21198, 23 June 1934, Page 19

BROADCASTING

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PEESS. Sir, —I heartily agree with all that you and your correspondents have said about the unsatisfactory programmes we are getting now over the wireless—more trashy selections than over, and the good items mixed indiscriminately in with the bad ones. But I am writing you now to air a small grievance of my own. I used to look forward to the good-night melody, as, at all events, a restful and melodious ending to the evening's programme. But now 3YA has dance music every evening until 11, so that except on Sundays, I never hear the good-night melody. Could not it be transferred to 3YL, which, by the way, generally has better programmes than 3YA.— Yours, etc., LISTENER-IN. June 22, 1934. TO TBB BDITOB OF THE PBKSS. Sir, —Better programmes cannot be expected until the Broadcasting Board has finished spending £70,000 here and a similar amount there, so we are informed by the defender of the board's policy. But even supposing listeners have the patience to wait until the board calls a halt in its building policy, listeners cannot have much hope that even then improvement will take place. The whole position is that the present organisation can tackle the spending of money for which it can show something tangible in the way of bricks, mortar, and iron far more confidently than it can tackle the spending of money Upon the presentation of such an intangible thing as entertainment, about which it has not the vaguest notion. The present organisation is playing safe by using the building programme as an excuse for poor programmes, but it is going to be hard up against it with a vengeance when it no longer has such an excuse. Broadcasting in New Zealand reminds one of the spectacle of " the "nouveau riche" furnishing a house. The drawing-room is furnished regardless and just looks like a traps-

planted shop window, whilst thebooks are standard authors supplied in expensive bindings at so much per yard. And the owner is quite satisfied that because of these possessions he can with confidence pose as being well read, and his posing often makes him ludicrous.

Chaliapin is a bass singer well known in countries on the other side of the world and should be here, but a few Sundays ago, after one of his records had been given, the board's official told us that the tenor solo just given was recorded by a certain company. Then, to make our minds quite clear on what we were to listen to next, we were told that the orchestral selection "Memories of Beethoven" was composed by Beethoven. In the circumstances we were very grateful to have the name of the composer. When the record was finished the board's official told us the name of the orchestra and make of the record which had just given us those "Memories of Mendelssohn."

The great record companies found it necessary to employ competent musicians to help and advise them regarding the recording of good musical works, and their example could with profit be followed by New Zealand broadcasting authorities. The New Zealand system would also be improved by the appointment of someone who knew something about the lighter side of entertainment. The British Broadcasting Corporation, judging by reports from the other side, has made great improvements by the appointment of capable individuals with wide knowledge of their subject and initiative to carry out new ideas. Why not actually follow in the fatherly footsteps of the British Broadcasting Corporation instead of just saying it? It is a great mistake to think that each listener has only a liking for one particular type of entertainment. Individuals may have their particular preferences, but, provided the quality is good, the average intelligent listener can thoroughly enjoy entertainment totally different from that to which he is accustomed. If our broadcasting authorities realised this and raised the whole standard there would not be so much dissatisfaction expressed. When broadcasting authorities purchase food for their own stomachs they take jolly good care it is of good quality and well varied. If they apply the same principle to the purchase of the food supplied for listeners' ears, their programmes will be much healthier.— Yours, etc., MUSICAL. June 22, 1934.

•TO THE ZDITOa OV TUB PRKSS. Sir, —Is there no way of bringing home to the broadcasting authorities in Wellington that incompetence, like curses, will come home to roost, or that "Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin," once a mere writing on a wall, still echoes down the ages as a warning to those who ignore the finest. aspirations of a people.—Yours, etc., A SEER. June 22, 1934. TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE PRESS. Sir,—"Tristan" asks the question today, "What are we going to do about it?" Can you tell us if wc have to put up with the present Broadcasting Board till its members die, or whether there is any constitutional means by which they can be removed? If they are appointed by the Government, perhaps the best solution would be an early dissolution and a fresh election. Whatever the ultimate solution may be, would it not be possible for the YL station to put on a programme entirely different from the YA station; also to publish their programmes so that people like myself may know when there is some classical music. At present one has to listen to all sorts of rubbish in the mostly vain pursuit of something worth while. Meanwhile, I cordially support "Tristan" in his endeavour to get a competent musical adviser added to the board—Yours, etc., „„„„ E.E.ML June 22, 1934.