OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21198, 23 June 1934, Page 8

OVER THE AIR

There has for some weeks past been more than desultory correspondence in "The Press" dealing with broadcasting and more especially with its control and possible improvement. Reducing a number of contentions to their simplest factors, opinion appears to be that broadcasting as we know it in New Zealand is unsatisfactory. My own opinion is that New Zealand broadcasting ij in its present form incapable of any improvement, and that being the case it seems only logical to alter the form. For this reason, then, I propose from time to time •to draft concrete schemes for the reorganisation of radio programmes. This week I will deal with that group of subjects known as "Talks." A typical day's talks as elicited from the radio programmes of the four main stations consist of three talks on completely unspecified subjects. That is to say, they appear in the programme as merely "Talk." Then there is a talk on "A Visit to the Bay of Plenty." There is a talk on "Books." There is a talk on "What People want to Read About." There is a talk'on "The Reduction of Fatigue and Boredom." And there is a talk on "Things which Terrorise the Bantu."

How is it Done? On paper these talks appear to be quite hcarable. And they probably are quite interesting when heard over the air. Some people no doubt wish to hear of the various tilings which terrorise the Bantu. Some people no doubt wish to know how their fatigue and boredom may be reduced. Some people even want to know what they want to read about. And how are these talks chosen? Why are they given? An acquaintance of mine with a good knowledge of'one particular subject and an urge to impart this knowledge recently approacheed a station director and offered his services for a series of talks. The station director stated that hobbies, such as dogs, or woodwork, would make excellent talks, but he had his doubts as to whether anyone wanted to listen to what the applicant wished to say. However, after a certain amount of delay and objections, a time was arranged. The talks were, given. Not one person in the broadcasting studios showed the slightest interest in them. The manuscripts were not examined beforehand. No suggestions of any kind were made either as regards the content or in the matter of microphone technique. And finally, the question of payment was never raised. So as a natural result. the giver of these talks has concluded that any further active participation in broadcasting is absurd, when the present system persists. And when last T saw him lie was engaged in sending a subscription to the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Now this crass ignorance combined with a banal inro-ordination is incompatible with the existence of a talks department at broadcasting headquarters. It is completely certain that the whole question of talks must be completely reorganised. How can this be done? » The New Talks Department It is- vitally necessary that a Director of Talks be appointed. And this Director of Talks must of necessity be an individual selected from outside the broadcasting organisation, for I have yet to hear of a person sufficiently capable within the present broadcasting organisation.

The first duty of the Director of Talks will be to organise sequence

and co-ordination in his subjects. He will make a list of vital and necessary subjects. Economics, foreign affairs, religion, national character, travel, topical, languages, health, and so on.

He will next compile a list of persons eminent in the knowledge of these particular subjects. And the system will be so far altered that instead of persons approaching the broadcasting board, the Director of Talks will approach these people with constructive ideas. Every manuscript will at first be submitted to the director, who will then make suggestions for thenpossible improvement. Every speaker over the radio will be reported upon as i-egards presentation of subject, attitude towards subject, vocal quality and accent. There are in the Dominion probably a dozen people capable of acting in the capacity of Director of Talks. The duties will be onerous, but the extraordinary interest of the job will compensate for the small salary he will no doubt receive. And as there seems some slight haziness as regards scales of values, I suggest that a salary of £BOO a year be offered. It will probably take about 12 months to drag talks out of their present barely living death. But the present system with its almost complete mental apathy reminds me most forcibly of the state of affairs in Russia after the revolution. Then there were railway lines ancl there were trains, but there was no one to drive them. Whenever a sufficient number of people got together at a station and wished to travel they would select a destination and a driver. They would gather wood and secure coal and off they would start. .Sometimes they arrived at their destination. Sometimes they did not. But the Russian railways were at. that time just about as inco-ordinated and decrepit as are the talks programmes in New Zealand at the present day. Pouislmoff If any one of the older members of the staff of the British Broadcasting Corporation is asked: "What was the most exciting broadcast you have ever • put over the air?" he will probably reply, "The night Pouishnoff played." It was in the earlier days of British broadcasting. I was sitting in a house in Hampstead, about two miles away from Selfridge's store from the roof of which store stretched the high transmitting aerials of 2LO. The earphones were over my head and I was sitting back very comfortably half reading a book and half listening to the programme. And then the announcer suddenly broke in on my thoughts. 2LO calling the British Isles. A most fortunate and unforeseen event had just occurred, t One of the greatest of living pianists was actually in the studio. For a long time the broadcasting authorities had been trying to prevail upon this great master to broadcast, but he had steadfastly refused. He had

2YA. WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles)

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

B RO A DC ASTING

TODAY'S PROGRAMMES

;VA, C HKISTCIIURCH (720 Kilocycles)

of a broadcasting studio would not be sympathetic to his playing. But here he was on a private visit to 2LO and he had actually offered to play on condition that his anonymity was strictly preserved. And so the usual programme was to be interrupted for a short time.

And then the unknown pianist played. And he went on playing. All over England and in many places on the Continent everything was forgotten save the glorious playing of this unknown pianist. All through that evening and night the telephones were kept busy with enquiries as to his identity. The following morning the newspapers had leading articles commenting and commending and speculating. But it was not for some time that the identity of Pouishnoff was revealed. An extraordinary thing was that although I had on various occasions heard Pouishnoff in the concert hall, I had never fully realised' what an immense pianist lie was. And this realisation no doubt affected countless others in a similar manner. After this, of course, Pouishnoff played many times from the broadcasting studios. I think it may be said that apart from members of the Royal family, this pianist is honoured as the most important guest of the British Broadcasting Corporation's studios. Manners And now Pouishnoff is in New Zealand. This great and sensitive man lias been treated as a commercial traveller visiting Lincoln College is treated. He is sent a telegram which says: "Twenty pounds offered or else no business." I say that a man who is treated in so brusque a manner, an artist who is treated as though he were a Jew in Nazidom, will be giving tlie people of New Zealand their just due if he steadfastly refuses to broadcast during Ins visit to this country. And I say also that a servant of the people is completely lacking in perception, completely lacking in tact, and completely lacking in his sense of duty towards an artist when he signs a telegram such as the one that was sent.

V.I) 10 B..'if) a.m.: Breakfast, session 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15: Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 2 p.m.: Selected recordings. 3.30 and 4.30:- Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour. 6".0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports, lt.0: Chimes. .Recording, New Mayfair Orchestra, "New Moon" Selection 'Bombers i. 8.6: Miss Lottie Colvillc (soprano), "By a Waterfall" • Fain); "Cradle Son;;" ißainger). 8.12: Messrs Fred and Herbert Fox (cornet), "Annie Laurie" solo i Fred Fox), favr. Trusscll); "Tasmania" due!. 8.18: Mr Jock Lockhart (comedian), "Back Went: Mac" (Cantlen). 8.22: Theo and Frances Gunther •'concertina duo), "Irivercargill" March (Lithgow); "The Butterfly" (Pendix). 8.28: Recording, Columbia Artists (sketch), "Columbia on Parade." 8.3G: Messrs Fred and Herbert Fox (cornet), 'Dream of Paradise" (solo Herbert Fox) (Gray); "The Monarch" duet (Knoll). 8 42: Miss Lottie Colville (soprano>. "Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?" (Revel); "Reflections in the Water" 8 48: Recording, F„ R. SpindW and his Mamelok Banjo Band, "Palladium Rag" (Morley). 851: Mr Jock Lockhart. (comedian), "Scotland's Whisky" (Castlen); "They Took no Notice of Us" (Watson). 8.57'. Recording, Polvdor String Orchestra, "Neptune March" (Ivory). 00: Weather forecast and station notices. 9.3: Talk, Dr. .Tames Hight, "The Attributes Essential to Success in Life." (The first, of a series). 9.20: Theo and Frances Guntlirr (concertina duos), "Rocky Mountain Lullaby" (King); "The Battle of the Nations" march (Paul). 0.26: Recording. Robert English (baritone), "De Ole Banio." 0.30: "We Await; Your Verdict." The case is one in which Michael Credlington, architect. sues Enrico Carachello. theatrical producer, claiming £2OOO for the loss of his wife's con-many and services. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10-11.15: Dance music. Alternative programme. 3YL. 1200 kilocyfies 5 p.m.: Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Alternative concert programme.

7.0 to 8.30 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Chimes. Selected recordings. 10.30: Devotional service, 12 noon: Lunch music. 2 p.m.: Light musical programme. 3.0: Relay of Rugby football match from Athletic Park. Announcer: Mr Chas. Lamberg. 5.0: Children's hour, conducted by Uncle Jasper. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.40: W.E.A. Session—Mr L. R. Palmer, M.A., Dip. J., "A Century of Migration" (3) "Before the War —and After." 8.0: Chimes. Frank Crowther's Novelty Orchestra, "Potpouri-i of Old and New Melodies —'What's Next?"' arr. Finck). 8.10: Recordings: The Moderniques, vocal ensemble, "Sweet Sue" (Young); "We'll All Go Riding on a Rainbow" (Woods). 8.16: Dick Colvin and Sid Bernard, cornet duet, "Birds of the Forest"—concert polka (Mayer). 8.20: Recordings: Jack Hulbert, comedian, with orchestra, "My Hat's on the Side of My Head"; "I Want to Ring Bells" (Hulbert). 8.26: Jim Sherry and the Five Sherry Brothers, "Impressions of Bird Life"; "Actual Step Dancing." 8.32: Gracie Fields, assisted by her mother, father, sister (Betty and brother, Tommy Fields, "Gracie At Home." 8.40: Lecturette —Miss Madeline Vyner, "The Twentieth Century Ballet—The DiaghilefT Era." 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.2: Thirty minutes of old-time dance music by Frank Crowther's Novelty Orchestra. Waltz, "Gold and Silver" (Lehar). Polka, "L'esprit Francais" (Waldteufel). Round' Dance, "Maxina" (Hurndall). Two-Step, "Italian Songs" (Borch). Waltz, "Lilac Time" (Schubert). 9.30: "We Await Your Verdict." The case is one in which Michael Credlington, archieect, sues Enrico Carachello, theatrical producer, claiming £2OOO for the loss of his wife's company and services. 10.0 Sports summary. 10.1011.10: Modern dasice programme. Alternative programme. 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 3 p.m.: Light musical programme. 5.0: Selected recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Alternative concert programme. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND. 5.55 p.m. • News bulletin. Time signal from Big Tom at 6.0. 6.10: Island tour, a talk by S. P. B. Mais. 6.30: A recital of gramophone records by Christopher Stone. 7.0: Time signal from Greenwich. Entertainment hour. 8.0: Time signal from Greenwich. Oundle School Summer Concert. 8.15: England v. Australia: second cricket test match: an eye-witness account of to-day's play. 8.25: A recital by Elsie Owen (violin) and Vivian Langrish (pianoforte). 8.35: Mid-sum- , weg ayg prbgtamaia, Mes G&udte

Bcddington's Storiop. Dance music. 10.15-10.30: News bulletin. SUNDAY 3YA. CHRISTCHURCH 0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from Church of Christ, Moorhouse Avenue. Preacher, Pastor Stuart Stevens. Organist, Mrs Pugb. Choirmaster, Mr H. E. Ames. 1 p.m.: Dinner music. 2 p.m.: Selected recordings. 2.45: Talk. 3.0: Selected recordings. 5.30: Children's song service, conducted by children of the Church of Christ Sunday School. G. 30: Relay of evening service from St. Andrew';; Presbyterian Church. Preacher. Rev. J. Lawson Robinson. Organist, Mr R. Lake. Choirmaster. Mr J. Maclean. 8.15: Selected recordings. 8.30: Recording, The State Opera Orchestra, Berlin, "William Tell" Overture (Rossini). 8.-12: Recording, Steuart Wilson (tenor recital with string quartet and piano), "On Wenlock Edge"; from "Far, From Eve and Morning"; "Oh, When I Was in Love With You": "Is My Team Ploughing?"; "Bredon Hill"; "Clum" (VaughanWilliams). 9.0: Weather forecast, and station notices. 9.3: "Superstition." A dramatic presentation with the fallacious superstition that, if spilt salt is thrown over the left shoulder bad luck will be averted. 9.17: Mr Harold Beck ('cello recital). "Adagio" Pastorale (Handel): "Song Without Words" (Op. 62. No. 1) (Mendelssohn): "Malaguena" (Albeniz-Bye); "Tango" (Albeniz-Bye); "Melody" (Rubinstein, arr. Harold Beck): "Papillon" (Popper). 9.37: Recording, Paul Robeson (bass), Negro Spirituals, "Were You There?" (arr. Burleigh); "By an' By" arr. Burleigh). 9.44: Recording, Bruno Walter conducting the British Symphony Orchestra, < "A Little Night Music" Serenade (Mozart). Alternative programme. 3YL, 1200 kilocycles. 6 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30: Alternative concert programme. 9.2: One hour of Gilbert and Sullivan featuring "The Gondoliers."

2VA, WELLINGTON 9 a.m.: Chimes. Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of service from The Salvation Army Citadel, Vivian Street. 1 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings. C.O: Children's song service, conducted by Uncle William 7.0: Relay of evening service from St. Peter's Anglican Church, Willis Street, Preacher, Rev. W. Bullock, organist and choirmaster, Mr S. B. Shortt. 8.15: Selected recordings. 8.30: 2YA Concert Orchestra .(conductor, Mr Leon de Mauny), Overture, "Maritana" (Wallace). 8.39: Recording, Basilica Choir with the State Opera House Orchestra, Berlin, "Worship of God in Nature" (Beethoven). 8.43: 2YA Concert Orchestra, Selection "Mignon" (Thomas). 8.55: Recording, Toti Dal Monte (soprano) and members of La Scala Orchestra, Milan (conducted by Carlo Sobanjno), "O Guiding Star of Love" (Donizetti). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.2: One hour of j Gilbert and Sullivan, featuring "The Gondoliers." 10.0: 2YA Concert Orchestra, "Pilgrims" Chorus" and "Song to the Evening Star" (Wagner). 10.10: Recording, Giovanni Martinelli (tenor) with orchestra, "Thou Heavenly One" (Verdi). 10.14: 2YA Concert Orchestra, Valse from "Eugene Onegin" (Tschaikowsky). Alternative programme. 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 6.0 to 8.30 p.m.: Selected musical programme. 8.30: Alternative concert programme. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND 6.0 p.m.: Time signal from Big Tom. The 8.8.C. Theatre Orchestra. 6.30: The Wimbledon draw, a sports talk. 6.45: A pianoforte recital by Kathleen Long. 7.0: Time signal from Greenwich. A Roman Catholic Service from the Servite Church, Fulham Road, London. 7.45: A summary of the week's news, 8.0: Time signal from Greenwich. An interlude. 8.5: The ,Bqy4 NfieJ gteiag. £g£hestJs&

Heave Away, by Joan Luxton's Company. 9.10: The Wireless Military Band, conductor, B. Walton O'Donncll. 9.30-9.40: Epilogue.