OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21826, 4 July 1936, Page 11

OVER THE AIR

PROGRAMMES and comment

[By ARIEL.] How free should the air be? I am reminded of this old question by a * letter fr 0111 “Spud-Digger.” He objects strenuously, and .1 am sadly afraid, libellously, to those people heard over the New Zealand air who call themselves “Health Experts,” “Food Experts, and so forth, and who use the microphone as a medium for disseminating their own views. My own viewpoint on the matter has always been that no talks should ever be given until they have been carefully examined by a competent authority. This is in no way an attempt to stop private opinions being heard, but , to stop private opinions that are contrary to truth or actual fac: being ac- | cepted by unthinking people as the ; truth. Therefore, I consider that when any definitely controversial matter goes over the air (and the more the betj ter), it should always be accompanied by matter showing the opposite viewpoint. J la other words, philosophically I j take the standpoint of Hegelian dialecticism. (That’s my story, anyway.) In the United States, freedom of speech has always been held as one of the precious jewels of democracy. And just at present, when the great ; presidential campaign is beginning, the question of freedom of the air is being widely discussed. The air is a great factor in the campaign. When Al. Smith spoke on the New Deal recently, a third of a million extra radio sets were turned on in New York city alone. The meters ! in the big electrical power plants be- . gan automatically to soar. One power I plant alone showed an increased power load of 35,000 kilowatts, which continued while the Governor talked from 10 to 11 p.m. In fact, the presidential battle is causing some concern to the electrical power companies. The peak power load rises even higher than the amount consumed listening to a prize fight. At present, the Louis-Baer fight holds the 1 record on the electrical consumption j charts (130,000,000 kilowatts). However, electricity is certainly not free. What about speech? I’m glad to see that my (unknown) I colleague, James E. Chinn, Radio Edi- | tor of the Washington “Star.” is quite | definite in his views regarding “free” j speech. “Libel laws,” he says, “should be J made to apply even more strictly to ■ the spoken word on the air than to the written word. Every man who attemp s I to shape public opinion on the radio i should be consciously mindful of the j fact of the wide range of his influence. 1 The writer’s influence by comparison I is small. Yet he is held to strict aci countability under the law. Even the j freedom of speech can be prostituted.” 1 Trouble in U.S. i Two months ago a communist wished 1 to speak in America over the Columbia 1 network. Now, according to American I custom, so long as whac he wisned to say did not ofiend Federal morals, and the communis, was able to pay full rates for the privilege of speaking, there was nothing to prevent his doing so. His name was Earl Browder, general secretary of the Communist party. And was there a howl when the programmes appeared? There was. Several staions refused to carry the speech. Pickets were march.ng in front of the main broadcasting studio in j I New York with signs reading “Smash J Communism.” The cartoonist got ! busy. The newspaper press published opinions for and against. The public expected to hear a rasping, indignant, flaming voice. And Earl Browder in the meantime delivered his address from a branch studio, unnoticed. I Actually speaking, the much-awaited j speech was very mild indeed. The j communist was possessed of a soft and ; amiable voice. He explained to listen- | ing America that what was necessary was to “keep America out of war by helping to keep war out of the world.” The following day, continuing the open forum plan, Columbia gave the microphone to Hamilton Fish, jun., of New York, who is ardently anti-com-munist. He replied to Mr Browder in a vigorous discussion of “Communism versus Americanism.” America breathed again. And when you consider the matter, there is no reason whatever why communists should not speak over the air. There is even no reason why vegetarians or “fiat-earthers” should not speak over the air. The important th ; ng is that the air should not remain the property of any one particular section of the community. I have no objection to hearing a vegetarian telling me I am going to die with hardening of the arteries or a rush of blood to the head if I eat meat, so long as I am able to be reassured bv a red-blooded meat eater that I shall die of anaemia if I don’t eat half a pound of steak each day. If I hear over the air that the earth is flat. I am likely to go about in horror of falling off the edge some day. But so long as I am assured almost immediately that the earth is in reality round and if I go a long walk I shall ultimately return to my starting point, I feel that all is well. In other words, it is essential that the air shall be kept free from the menace of unintelligent cranks. The open forum principle will enable this to be done without worrying anybody. Politics and the Air Just at present. Parliament is off the air. I would not go so far as to say that the ail is the purer for this omis sion. But I am quite certain that it is possible to have far too much hot air from our loud speakers. One of the greatest dangers in the past has been the sad fact that the public have judged politicians by their sil-ver-tongued oratory and not by their often leaden-handed performance. Far more than the written word, the tongue can sway the multitude, hypnotise it, cause it to abandon fact and to embrace fiction. Any good evangelist, any competent I actor is able to bend an audience to | his mood. Why not? But there is no earthly reason why an evangelist or an actor should make a good ruler of the country’s destinies. The danger is very real. I have already heard several people discussing speakers from Parliament they have heard over the air. “I don’t think much of so-and-so. He has a very unpleasant voice.” Or. “Such-and-such is a man I cen trust. He has a charming radio personality.” If politicians are to be judged by their microphone personality, the soonen that parliamentary broadcasts are abolished the better. Carrying the ■ matter to a logical conclusion, it would j seem that the ideal Cabinet would consist of our station announcers. I If, on the other . hand, par-1 liamentary broadcasts are to con-1 sist merely of statements of | proposed policy, to be followed by Opposition comments and strictures on this policy, listeners will have no objection, so long as the politxians do 1 pot crowd out popular entertainment, which is what the public wants from broadcasting. Personally. I am rather worried pbout these political broadcasts. The piiblic certainly is able to know more or less the truth, about how Parliament Is conducted. This in itself is excellent. Thp pUblic may also come to the conclusion that a parliamentary debate is ip Its essentials not dissimilar to a meeting.of a local acclimatisation society. This In itself is also probably a kood thin 5... . Sut , if the public concludes that ticians should generate more facts %nd less heat over the air. what then?

Freedom of speech is a magnificent principle. It is pleasant to consider that Parliament is leading the way towards this. But carelessness and intemperance of speech is dangerous. And that brings me back to my correspondent, “Soud-Digger.” I should very much like to be able to quote his letter. But I am afraid it would cause pain, so I refrain. BROADCASTING TODAY’S PROGRAMMES 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (720 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.; Breakfast session. 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15; Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 2 p.m.: Selected recordings. 3.0 to 4.0 p.m.: Relay from Timaru of Official Opening of the South Canterbury Industrial Exhibition and Winter Show. 4.30; Sports results. 5.0; Children’s hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0; News and reports. 7.30: Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 8.0: Chimes. Recordings. Debroy Somers Band. 8.5: Patrick Colbert (br.ss). 8.11; Ken Harvey (banjo), 8.14; John Goss and the Cathedral Male Voice Quartette, 8.20; Edith Lorand and her Viennese Orchestra. 8.26: Hulda Lashaneka (soprano). 8.32: Frederic Bayco (cinema organ). 8.40; The Mayfair Ensemble (vocal and Instrumental). 8.52: Recording, the BB.C. Theatre Orchestra. “Monckton Melodies.” 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5; Elaine Moody's Hawaiian Trio (instrumental). 9.11: “Abroad with the Lockharts,” No. 5. | an American business man and his wife I on tour. 9.25: Recording. Frank WestI field’s Orchestra. 9.31: The Mayfair Ensemble. 9.44: Recording, the Western ' Brothers comedians). 9.50: Elaine Moody’s | Hawaiian Trio (instrumental). 9.57: Recording. International Novelty Orchestra, j 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Dance | music. Alternative station, 3YL, 1200 kilocycles. 2.45 p.m.: Relay from Rugby Park of running commentary on the Rugby match, Sydenham v. Sunnyside. 5.0: Selected recordings. 7.0; After-din-ner music. 8.0; Symphonic programme. 10.0: “Melodists and Monologues.” A variety programme. IYA, AUCKLAND (650 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15: 'Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 2 p.m.: Selected recordings. 3.0; Running commentary on Rugby football match, relayed from Eden Park. 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children’s session. co..uucted by Cinderella. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0; News and reports. 7.30: Talk: the Gardening Exoert, “The Development of the Garden.” 8.0; Concert programme. Recordings: Tossy Spivakovsky, violin recital. 8.16; Alfred Walmsley (tenor). 3 31: Recordings: Ethel Leginska, pianist, in a Schubert recital. 8.46; Vera Moginie (soprano). 9.0; Weather report and station notices. 9.5; Old-time dance mus’c bv the String Orchestra, conducted by Harold Baxter, M.C.. Les Beresford. Interludes by Stan Lawson. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10; Old-time dance music. Alternative station, IYX, 880 kilocycles. 3 p.m.; Light musical programme. 5.0; Light musical programme. 7.0: Afterdinner music. 8.0: “Melodious Moments ’ —Light music and humour. 9.0: “Tenors, Basses and Baritones” —An entertaining programme, introducing some great male singers of to-day 10.0: “Comedy Capers —Light variety entertainment. 2YA, WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Chimes. Selected recordings. 10.30: Tima signals from the Dominion Observatory. Devotional service. 11.15: Talk, prepared by the A.C.E.. Home Science Tutorial I Section of Otago University, “Mutton Variations.” 12 noon; Lunch music. 2 j 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 hour, conducted by Uncle Jasper. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and' reports. 7.30: Time signals from the ! Dominion Observatory. 8.0; Chimes. 1 Ponular programme. De Luxe Theatre I Orchestra and Organ, in a special presentation, assisted by Herbert F. Wood, popular tenor. (Relayed from the De Luxe Theatre.) 8.15: Recording; Len Green (piano). 8.21: Recording: Mae Questal (the Betty Boop Girl), comedy vocal. 8 24: Recording; Leslie Holmes (comedy vocal). 8.27: Recording; Len Fillis and his Orchestra. 8.33; Recording: Greta Keller (light vocal). 8.39; Recording: London Piano Accordion Band. 8.45: Recording: The "Anything Goes” Foursome (vocal quartet). 8.51; Recording; The 8.8. C. Dance Orchestra, directed by Henry Hall (Reginald Foresythe at the piano). “Southern Holiday” (Foresythe). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Dance music by Henry Rudolph a’-d his Orchestra (relayed from the Assembly Hall, Brougham street). 10.0: Sports summary. Il.10: Recorded dance programme from the studio. 10.30; Further dance music by Henry Rudolph and his Orchestra. Alternative station, 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 2.45 p.m.: Selected recordings. 5.0: Light music. 7.0; After-dinner music. 8.0; Recital progr-mme. 9.0; “Old-time Variety”—A popular programme. 10.0: “Happy Melodies,” interspersed with humour. 4YA, DUNEDIN (790 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.; Breakfast session. 10.0; Selected recordings. 10.15: Devotional service. 10.30: Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 2 p.m.: Selected recordings. 2.45; Commentary on senior Rugby match (relayed from Carisbrook). 5.0: Children's hour, conducted by Aunt Anita and Cousin Molly. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. A light orchestral and ballad concert. 4YA Concert Orchestra, conducted by Gil Dech. 8.15: Miss Dorothy Mac Kay (soprano). 8.24: The Orchestra. “In An Old Cathedral Town” Suite. 8.41: Mr J. M. Wood (baritone). 8.53: The Orchestra. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Dance music. 10.0: Sports summary. 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. 9.0: 8.8. C. recorded programme, “It Seems Only Yesterday.” 10.0: Comedy and light music. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND GSD. 25.53 metres: GSB, 31.55 metres. New Zealand standard time. 4.0 p.m.: Big Ben. Variety: Claude Hulbert and Bobby Comber. 4.17: Dance music. 4.30: “Fire at Sea.” by Jerry Nunn. 4.45; The 8.8. C. Empire Orchestra, leader, Daniel Melsa, conductor, Eric Fogg. Overture, “A Night In Venice” (Johann Strauss). Selection, "The Rebel Maid” (Montague Phillips); “Reverie du soir”: “Marche Militalre” (Suite Algerlenne) (Saint Saens): “Dream Poem; Romance of the Prairie Lillies” (Coleridge-Taylor); Alla polacca (Mignon). Suite, “Impressions Provencales,” Op. 78: (1) Lou carneval; (2) cache-cache: (3) danse de Magali: (4) tendresse: (5) les tambourinaires (Brun). 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 Colombo Street Baptist Church. Preacher, Rev. J. K. Archer, organist. Miss R. Carey, L.T.C.L., choirmaster. Mr K. G. Archer. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0; An hour with Gilbert and Sullivan, featuring “H.M.S. Pinafore.” 2.45: Selected recordings. 3.30: Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. Selected‘recordings .5.30; Children’s song service, conducted by Rev. L. A. G. Brooks, assisted by children from the Opawa Sunday school. 6.15: Selected recordings. 6.30: Relay of evening service from Rugby Street Methodist Church. Preacher. Rev. W. A. Burley. • M.A. organist and choirmaster, Mr N. Williams. 8.0 (approx.): Selected recordings. 8.30: Recordings: The Concert - gebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam. 8.40: George Thill (tenor). 8.48; Massed Orchestra of ’cellos. 8.54: Elsie Suddaby (soprano). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: New Symphony Orchestra. 9-11: Richard Crooks (tenor). 9.20: Jacques Thibaud (violin). 9.24: Members of the La Seala Orchestra. Milan. 9.30: Mllija Korjus (soprano). 9.38; Henry Geehl and William Lovelock (piano duet). 9.44: Norman Allin (bass). 9.52; Leopold Stokowski and the .Philadelphia Orchestra. Alternative station, 3YL. 6.0 p.m.: Musical programme. 8.30: Light recital*.

IYA, AUCKLAND 9.0 ajn.: Selected recordings. 110: Morning service, relayed from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. P l i e f c “?s‘ Rev. P. Gladstone Hughes, organist, u r. Neil McDougalL 1.0 pm.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings* 3.30: Recordings: “Merry Wives of Windsor (abridges version). Comic fantastic opera m 3 acts by Otto Nicola. 4.5: Selected recordings. 6.0: Children’s song service. 7.0: Evening service, relayed from St. Matmew s Anglican Church. Preacher, Rev. G. v. Gerard, organist, Mr J. H. Phllpott. 8.30. Concert by the Municipal Band, relayed from the Town Hall. Conductor, Mr T. J. O’ConnOr. Soloist. Miss Winifred Hni. 9.0; Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Members of the J. C. Williamson Dramatic Company (by arrangement with J. C. Williamson Limited), present The Importance of Being Earnest," a trivial comedy for serious people, by Oscar Wiiae. Alternative station, IYX. 6.0 pm.: Light musical programme. 8.30; Symphonic presentation Brahms’s Double Concerto in A Minor. Op. 102. 9.0: National influences on orchestral composers. 2YA, WELLINGTON 9.0 a.m.: Chimes. Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from =>t. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Boulcott street. Organist, Mrs G. Aldridge, choirmaster, Mr Sydney Francis Hoben. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Special programme, song scene, “Dreams.” a programme founded on the famous poem of that name. 2.40; Selected recordings. 3.0; Carillon recital, relayed from the New Zealand National War Memorial Carillon. 3.15: Selected recordings, 3->u-Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 6.0: Children’s song service, conducted by Uncle William, assisted by the children’s choir from the Salvation Army Sunday school. 7.0: Relay of the evening service from the Church of Christ, Vivian street. Preacher, Mr A. G. Saunders, 8.A., organist and choirmistress. Miss Eileen O’Connor. 8.15 (approx.): Selected recordings. 8.30: A Delius programme. Recording: New Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Barbirolli. 8.36. Recording: Heddle Nash, tenor. 8.40: First performance in New Zealand, Paul Vinogradoif. solo pianist, presents Concerto in C Minor. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5; Recital by Florence Austral, world-famous opera star, ana John Amadio. internationally acclaimed flautist. Accompanist. Mr Karl Bartlmg, well-known pianist. 9.37: Yehudi Menuhin and Orchestra Symphonique de Fans conducted by Georges Enesco, .Concerto in E Major” (Bach). “Sarabande (Bacti). Alternative station. 2YC. 6.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30: Thirty minutes ox concerted, vocal and instrumental numbers, featuring the Maestros Male Quintet. 9.0; Light recital programme. 4YA, DUNEDIN 9.0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of Matins from St. Paul’s Cathedral. Preacher, The Very Rev. G. C. Cruickshank, M.A.. organist. Mr E. H. Heywood. F.R.C.O. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. J.au Short recitals by Fred Hafttley’s Quintet. Richard Tauber (tenor), and Fritz Kreisler (violinist). 3.10: Selected recordings. 5.30; Children’s song service, conducted by Big Rrother Bill. 6.1 o: Selected recordings. 6.30: Relay of church service from Knox Piusbyterian Church. Preacher. Rev. D. C. Herron, M.A., D.C.. organist, Mr C. Roy Spackman. 7.45; Selected recordings. 8.30: A classical programme. London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Edward Elgar. 8.o0: Walter Rheberg (piano). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9-5: M.ss Beatrice Pugh. Australian soprano. 9.LJ: Beatrice Harrison and the New Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Edward Elgar. 9.44: Alexander Kipnis (bass). 9.02. London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Edward Elgar. Alternative station, 4YO. 6.0 pm.; Selected recordings. 8.30; Band programme, with ballad, spoken and dramatic interludes. DAVENTRY. ENGLAND 4.0 p.m.: Big Ben. A religious service from the studio, conducted by John R. Mott, F.R.G.S., LL.D., president of the world’s Alliance of the Y.M.C.A. 4.47: A pianoforte interlude by Jonn Wills: Prelude in A (from Suite) (Dvorak): Toccata (Sgambati). 4.55: All-England Lawn Tennis Club championship meeting. Running commentaries by Colonel R. H. Brand and Captain H. B. T. Wakelam, from the centre court. Wimbledon. 5,40: Weekly newsletter, sports summary, and announcements. 6.0: Close down.