OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21802, 6 June 1936, Page 25

OVER THE AIR

BROADCASTING

[By ARIEL.]

The result of the recent enquiry into the affairs of the British Broadcasting Corporation seems to make it clear that the present system will continue in England. That is to say, broadcasting will be in the hands of a corporation that is opposed to definite political influence s and also opposed to advertising in any form. There seems to be no doubt that advertising as a source of revenue in broadcasting is doomed to ultimate extinction throughout the world. And that being the case/1 imagine that the changes likely to happen in New Zealand broadcasting in the near future will be small so far as the public is concerned. The B class, or private stations, will be allowed to survive under a system of limited advertising, and I have an idea that the New Zealand Broadcasting Board will continue to exist, under perhaps a different name, and a little more divorced from control by the Post and Telegraph Department than it is at present.

And it also seems that the Government will not turn a blind eye to the advantages, financial and otherwise, of control of radio publications. It seems hard to believe, but in England the revenue from the radio journals owned by the British Broadcasting Corporation, after all expenses have been paid, amounts to a sum not far short of half a million pounds. And this sum actually exceeds the total sum paid out by the British Broadcasting Corporation for its artists and speakers for the year ending 1935. Sure Source of Income The British Broadcasting Corporation is a sure source of income to the British Government. First of all the Post Office collects 10 per cent, of the total license fees collected to cover the costs of collection, etc. (The “etc.” is interesting!) The Post Office then pays the British Broadcasting Corporation one year in arrear, thus obtaining the interest on the sums collected. Then the Government collects income tax on the amounts appropriated from revenue for capital expenditure, and for expenditure on improvements, and on the reserve necessarily made for income tax itself. And finally, the corporation, beginning in 1931, has made special voluntary contributions to the British Treasury, in view of the country’s finances. In the year 1935 the amount actually available for the broadcasting service was 5s 3d a license fee of 10s issued during that year, or approximately half. Figures are generally rather boring, but remember this. A radio license in New Zealand costs 25s each year. Working on the same basis as the British system, the New Zealand Treasury would be able to collect for itself considerably more than £ 100,000 a year, a sum increasing as the population increases, and increasing as the radio coverage of the countrv becomes more easily possible. In addition, there is no reason to suppose that radio publications owned by the New Zealand Broadcasting Board should not return a handsome profit. Decentralisation? The simultaneous broadcast telephone svstem cost the British Broadcasting Corporation some £54,000 in 1035. This links up all the transmitters and studios by land line so that any programme can be put out by all or any of the transmitters. To do the same in New Zealand efficiently would be a costly scheme. And that being the case, I am personally in favour of a greater decentralisation than we have at present. As things are to-day, practically all commands, ideas, and innovations come from Wellington. Programmes are approved in Wellington. Overseas and other artists are engaged in Wellington. Suggestions from other stations are sent to Wellington for approval, I in no way condemn the board for this policy of centralisation. It is the easiest method. It works satisfactorily. But there is one important aspect to be considered. From my personal knowledge of the staff of 3YA, each individual member is courteous, efficient, and enthusiastic, a phenomenon almost too good to be true. But it is so. From the station director, the programme organiser, and down to the more humble members of the staff I have received at all times a welcome, by no means deserved considering that I have on many occasions criticised New Zealand broadcasting in all kinds of ways. And yet it does seem to me that if the policy of centralisation continues to exist it will be inevitable in the course of years that the staffs of the individual stations will become departmentalised, will lose their initiative. To combat this, it will be necessary for one of two policies to come into force. Either the Broadcasting Board must allow more individual scope, or a free interchange of officials between stations will have to take place. Mind Broadening This latter policy, if it comes into being, will prove to have a strong stimulating effect. Personally, I should like to see each station director and programme organiser spend one month in the year at Wellington and another month travelling among the other main broadcasting stations in the country, I should like to see the technicians and announcers doing their work in other stations for one month every year. I should like to see a party of selected broadcasting officials, both technical and on the programme side, pay a visit to Australia at not too infrequent intervals. There they will be able to assimilate the latest innovations in broadcasting. The cost would be slight, the benefits to listeners very great. And as part of this mind-broad-ening policy, I should like to see at least one member of the Broadcasting Board sent overseas each year with instructions to return with a detailed report of broadcasting to the countries he has visited. I really believe the Broadcasting Board is suffering with overscrupulosity with regards to the funds its administers. I feel that on occasion it may have wondered whether it should not send one of its members to Australia or England or the Continent. And then, I expect, they thought: “But if we do] jf

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES

3YA. CHRISTCHURCH (720 Kilocycles)

this, we’ll be told that we’re joyriding at the country’s expense.” / But it is not an expense: it is an Investment. Any commercial firm of the same magnitude would have regarded it as a good, sound investment. Why then, not the Broadcasting Board? The Future It seems likely therefore, that the following changes will be seen in broadcasting and its control in New Zealand:—(l) An alteration, perhaps in the name. And possibly some slight changes in personnel of the present board, (2) Mild changes towards the allowing of advertising from the B class stations. (3) Sooner or later, of course, it is inevitable that a ministry of broadcasting, or a ministry of public relations should be established. (4) A policy of greater elasticity for individual stations.

7.0 to 9.0 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15: Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. -! p.m.: Selected recordings. 2.45. Belay from Rugby Park of running commentary on Rugby match—Athletic v. Llnwood. 4.45: (approx.): Selected recordings. 5.0. Children's hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0. News and reports. 7.30: Time signal. 80. Chimes. Recordings: Orchestra Mascotte. 8.8: Richard Crooks, tenor. 8.14: Jesse Crawford (organ). 8.20: Recording, the Westminster Singers. 8.26: Salon Orchestra, Medley of Leslie Stuart s Songs. 8.34; Recording: Peter Dawson, bassbaritone. 8.40: Agnes Shcarsby, piano novelties. 8.48: Recordings: Les Allen ana his Canadian Bachelors. 8.54; Herman Fmck and his Orchestra. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Bina Addy. Indian mezzo-contralto. 9.20; Recording. The 8.8. C. Theatre Orchestra. 9-28: “Abroad With the Lockharts,” No. 1, an American business man and his wife on tour. 9.42: Agnes Shearsby, piano novelties. 9.50: Recordings: Winnie Melville and Derek Oldham, vocal duet. 9.56; New Light Symphony Orchestra. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music. Alternative station. 3YL, 1200 kilocycles. 3 p.m.: Selected recordings, 5.0; Selected recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Symphonic programme. 10.0: A potpourri of melody and humour. IYA, AUCKLAND (650 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Devotional service, conducted by the Rev. F. J. Handy. 10.15: Selected recordings. 11.15 (approx.): Running commentary on the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting, held at Ellerslie. 12 noon: Lunch music. 2.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 3.15 and 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children’s hour, conducted by Cinderella. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: 'News and reports. 7.30: Talk, the gardening expert, "The Development of the Garden.” 8.0: Concert programme. Recorded presentation of Puccini’s opera, "Madame Butterfly” (abridged) (Puccini) 8.50: Recordings: Leon Goossens (oboe). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Dance music. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music (continued). Alternative station. IYX. 880 kilocycles. 3.0 p.m.: Running commentary on Rugby football match, relayed from Eden Park. 5.0: Light musical programme. 7.0; After-dinner music. 8.0: "Mirth Parade”—popular comedians entertain. 9.0: "The Two Blues” —a light continuity programme, featuring the Air and Police Forces. 10.0: Light music and humour. 2YA, WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Chimes. Selected recordings, 10.30: Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. Devotional service. 11.15: Talk, prepared by the A.C.E., Home Science Tutorial Section of Otago University, "The Junior Home Makers’ Club and Rally.” 12 noon; Lunch music. 2.0 p.m.: Light musical programme. 3.0: Running commentary on the Rugby football match. (Relayed from Athletic Park.) Announcer, Mr Chas. Lamberg. 5.0: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Jasper. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30; Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 8.0: Chimes. Recording: New Mayfair Orchestra. 8.8: The Hill Billies (vocal with novelty accompaniment). 8.14: Recording; Ken Harvey (banjo). 8.17; Sydney MacEwan, tenor, and Duncan Morlson, pianist, in half an hour of Scottish and Gaelic music. 8.47: Recording: Rudy Starita with Arthur Lally and his Orchestra. 8.50; Recording: Stanley Holloway, humorous monologue. 8.54: Recording: Lew Stone, and his Band. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Dance programme. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Continuation of dance programme. Alternative station. 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 3.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 5.0: Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0; Miscellaneous classical programme. 9.0; Variety and vaudeville programme. 10.0: Thirty minutes of bright entertainment. 4YA. DUNEDIN (790 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Selected recordings. 10.15: Devotional service. 12 noon: Lunch music. 2.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 2.43: Running commentary on Rugby football match (relayed from Carlsbrook). 5.0: Children’s session. 6.0; Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. Light orchestral and ballad concert. 4YA Concert Orchestra, conducted by Gil Dech. 8.12: Dorothy Sligo (soprano). 8.19: The Orchestra. 8.24: James Simpson (tenor). 8.33: The Orchestra, suite of serenades. 8.43: Dorothy Sligo (soprano), with orchestral accompaniment. 8.50: The Orchestra. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Dance music. 10.0: Sports nummary. 10.10: Dance music. Alternative station, 4YO, 1140 kilocycles. 2.45 p.m.: Selected recordings. 5.0: Selected recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Variety and vaudeville programme. 9.0; Band programme, with sketch and ballad interludes. 10.0; Comedy, light music.

DAVENXRY, ENGLAND GSD, 23.53 metres; GSB, 31.55 metres. New Zealand standard time. 4.0 p.m.; Big Ben. “The Merry Month of June.” A June revue, presented by John Pudney. 4.35: "Down to the Sea in Ships—Sea Communications”; (8) “Seen from the Bridge.” An officer. 4.55: A service from Canterbury Cathedral, to celebrate the centenary of the installation of Bishop Broughton as first Bishop of Australia. 5.40: The news and announcements. 6.0: Close down.

SUNDAY 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH 9.0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from St. Matthew’s Anglican Church. Preacher, Rev. J. F. Feron, organist and choirmaster, Mr George E. Wilson. L.R.S.M. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.0: Recording: Berlin State Opera Orchestra. 3.30: Time signal from the Dominion Observatory. 5.30: Children’s song service, conducted by Rev. R. Taylor, and assisted by the children from St. Luke's Anglican Choir. 6.15: Selected recordings. 7.0: Relay of evening service from the Christchurch Anglican Cathedral. Preacher, Very Rev. Dean Julius, organist and choirmaster. Dr. J. C. Bradshaw. 8.15: (approx.); Selected • recordings. 8.30: Schonberg’s “Gurre-Lelder,” performed by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Alternative station, 3YL. 6.0 p.m.: Musical recordings. 8.30: Light recital programme. IYA, AUCKLAND 9.0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Morning service, relayed from Epsom Methodist Church. Preachr,'Rev. E. D. Patchett. organist. Mr R. J. Morris. 1.0 pjn.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.30: Recordings: Artur Sehhabel, pianist, presents a Beethoven piano sonata. Sonata in A Major. Op. 101. 3.58: Selected recordings. 6.0: Children's song service. 7.0: Evening service, relayed from St. David’s Presbyterian Church. Prea-

cher, ReV. W. Bower Black, organist, Mr E. S. Craston, choirmaster, Mr ,Len Barnes. 8.30:- Concert by the Auckland Municipal Band, relayed from the Town Hall, conductor. T. J, O’Connor. Alternative station, IYX. 6.0 p.m.: Light musical programme. 8.30; Symphonic programme. 9.0: A programme of classical music by the Madrid Symphony Orchestra. 2YA, WELLINGTON 9.0 a.m.; Chimes. Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of the morning service from the Salvation Army Citadel, Vivian street. Preacher, Major Tong. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0; Recording: Artur Rubinstein (piano), with the London Symphony Orchestra, Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21 (Chopin). 2.28: Selected recordings. 3.0: Relay of recital from the National War Memorial Carillon. 3.18: Continuation of programme of selected recordings. 3.30: Time signals froni the Dominion Observatory. 6.0; Children’s song service, conducted by Uncle William, assisted by the children’s choir from the St. Matthew’s Anglican Sunday schools. 7.0: Relay of the evening service from the Cambridge Terrace Congregational Church. Preacher, Rev. Arthur Muriel. M.C., 8.A., organist, Mr J. Thawley. 8.15 (approx.): Selected recordings. 8.30: A symphonic programme. Recordings: The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Hamilton Harty. 8.44: Recording: Fernando Gusso (baritone). 8.92: Recording: Heifetz (violinist), and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Gladys Lorlmer, soprano, in a recital of operatic songs. 9.25: Recording: Artur Schnabel (piano), and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Malcolm Sargent, Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 19 (Beethoven). Alternative station, 2YC. 6.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30 i Two short recitals. 9.0: Light recital programme; 4YA. DUNEDIN 9.0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of church service from the Moray Place Congregational Church. Preacher, Rev. W. M. Isltt, 8.A., of Hendon, London, organist, Mrs H. C. CampbeU. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0; Selected recordings. 2.30: Light musical programme. 5.30; Children’s song service, conducted by Big Brother Bill. 6.16: Selected recordings, 6.45: Relay of church service from the Salvation Army Citadel. Preacher. Adjutant Mahaffle, conductor, Mr A. Millard 8.0; Selected recordings. 8.30: Concert by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy. 8.54: Wilfred Kershaw (bass). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Recordings; The Orchestra, "Funeral March of a Marionette’ (Gounod): "Moto Perpetuo” (Paganini). 9.13: Wilfred Kershaw (bass). 9.19: Recordings; The Orchestra, "Scherzo Capriccoso” Op. 66 (Dvorak). 9.26: Mischa Levitzki, piano. 9.37: The Orchestra, “Harry Janos” suite (Kodaly), (a) Prelude —The fairy tale begins; (b) Viennese musical clock; (c) soug; (d) the battle and the defeat of Napoleon: (e) intermezzo; (f) entrance of the emperor and his court. Alternative station, 4YO. 6.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30; Massed band recital, with ballad interludes. 9.0: Two famous guards bands, the Grenadiers and the Coldstreams. a military band recital, with sketch and spoken interludes. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND ’ GSD. 25.53 metres: GSB, 31.55 metres. New Zealand standard time. 4.0 p.m.: Big Ben. A religious service (Church of Scotland), from St. Mary’s, Haddington. Order of service: Psalm No. 43, vv. 3-5 (Tune Martyrs). Hymn, "Ye Servants of God. your Master Proclaim’’ (Rv. C.H., No. 168—Laudate Dominum). Lesson. Prayer, Paraphrase No. 42 (Tune, Kilmarnock). Address by the Very Rev, Marshall B. Lang. D.D. Hymn, “City of God, how Broad and Far” (Rv. C.H., No. 209—Richmond). The Blessing. Organist, G. H. Allan, Mus D. 4.52: Chamber music. The Stratton String Quartet: George Stratton (violin); Carl Taylor (violin): Watson Forbes (viola): John Moore (violoncello). String Quartet No. 2 in D: (1) Allegro moderate; (2) scherzo: (3) notturno: (4) finale (Borodin). Serenade from “Les Vendredis” (Artciboucheff). Polka from “Les Vendredis” (Sokolow. Glnnzounov. and Liadov), “Orientale” (Glazounov). 5.40: Weekly news letter, sports summary, and announcements. 6.0: Close down.

OVERSEA RECEPTION NOTES

(Supplied by the New Zealand DX Radio Association. Incorporated.) Conditions for broadcast listening m Christchurch have been good, the Australian stations now being heard much earlier in the evening. New stations heard included; 4CA, Cairns, 1470 kilocycles, 100 watts; 4IG. Longreach, 1100 kilocycles, 300 watts; 4AY. Ayr, 1450 kilocycles. 300 watts (all Queensland, Australia). VUD, Delhi, India, 882 kilocycles, 20,000 watts, may be heard on an English news session from 3.30 to 3.45 a.rc. The following American stations are new being heard: WOWO, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1160 kilocycles, 10,000 watts, from 4 p.m.; WREN, Lawrence, Kansas, 1220 kilocycles. 1000 watts, 4.30 p.m.; WSMB, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1320 kilocycles, 500 watts. 5 p.m.; WGY, Schenectady. New York, 790 kilocycles, 50,000 watts, 4.30 p.m.; XEAQ, Tijuana, Mexico, 1090 kilocycles, 1000 watts, 5.30 p.m. (Saturdays). The Australian station 2HD, Newcastle. 1110 kilocycles, 500 watts, is now broadcasting a series of early morning tests for the benefit of New Zealand listeners on Wednesdays from 5.30. The Christchurch branch of the association will hold its next meeting on Wednesday in Charles Begg and Company’s recital room, Manchester street, at 8 p.m. A talk will be given by Mr L. W. Hurrell, on “Aviation Radio.”