BROADCASTING POLICY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21865, 19 August 1936, Page 9

BROADCASTING POLICY

ENGAGEMENT OF FAMOUS ARTISTS CONCERTS FROM the STAGE SUGGESTED Musicians in Christchurch think it would be a very good idea if the New Zealand Broadcasting Hoard adopted the Australian procedure of starring artists on the concert platform as well as over the air. By this means, they consider, the people of the Dominion would be able to hear famous musicians who would want too much money to make it possible to, bring-them to New Zealand for broadcasting only.

The subject was discussed in Wellington last week by Dr, Malcolm Sargent, the well-known English con- 1 ductqr, who said it was rather a hue point to determine how far broadcasts ihg organisations could go in the mat* ter of public concerts- There was the reasoning of the concert agents, hi pointed out, which said that, while broadcasting was generally a State monopoly, enjoying the direct monetary support of millions of people, It was unfair that controlling organisations should enter into competition with concert managers and theatres. There was the other side of the case, which argued that, were it not for the large incomes of the broadcasting organisations, many parts of the world would pever have the chance of seeing or hearing famous artists. The problem was not for him to solve, but if the broadcasting corporations made it their pleasure to build up musical activities there needed to be no difficulties, Representative Christchurch musicians gave the proposal that the Broadcasting Board should use the stage their unqualified approval. One of them was Dr. J. C. Bradshaw, who is president of the Christchurch branch of the Music Teachers’ Association. Dr. Bradshaw said he could not see hovy harm could be done to the theatre business, because so few artists were brought to the Dominion for concert work now. Another who commented WfiS M? Ernest Jenner, lecturer in music at. the Christchurch Training College. Mr Jenner suggested that if impresarios considered that their fields were being trespassed in by the Broadcasting Board it might be possible for the board and an impresario t° come to a business agreement, by which concerts could be given from the platform. .

An artist who was mentioned m the diseusisons with the Christchurch musicians was' Vladimir Hqrowitz, the Russian pianist, who is to visit Australia under engagement to the Australian Broadcasting Conimission in May next year, It was -suggested that the Broadcasting Board might be able to induce Horowits to come, 6*l to New Zealand after his Australian engagement it it adopted a P®L?y of starring him on the concert platform as well a* in the studio-