OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22105, 29 May 1937, Page 10

OVER THE AIR

WHY CRITICISM IS NEEDED [By LISTENER! A graceful compliment, and some radio information, have come to me in a letter from Melbourne. This correspondent receives copies of “The Press” regularly, and is kind enough to say that he reads my column. I do so,” he says, “because I’m interested to know just how long you can go on with your knocking criticism. I used to think that I was the worlds record non-stop critic, but you certainly have me licked. Your criticisms are all valid, but as far as 1 can see they apply with almost equal force to the Australian Broadcasting Commission and the British Broadcasting Corporation.” It is obvious enough that radio programmes in every free country must cause contention, for even the mosbrilliantly devised programmes could not give universal pleasure to the vast and assorted audience which expects entertainment (in large measure) and instruction (in small measure) fi'°n>radio. Since this is so, some may think it unsporting to be chronically critical of the efforts of the National Broadcasting Service. It might even be hinted that I am like cowardly fellows who pot at sitting birds. But I must say that it gives me, no pleasure to be remorselessly critical, and the truth is, I’m not always so. Here and there a little reasoned praise is Riven, bur on the whole my anxiety is akin to that of Mr Savage, and the Director of Broadcasting: I merely want the best use to be made of radio in New Zealand, and I’m much afraid just now that the service is being bungled just because a few administrative figures, with the Government behind them, are enslaved by curious ideas quite unrelated to the realities of radio. There have been several mnovations in the last 18 months, but when we examine them they don t amount to much. Parliament has gone on the air; two commercial stations have been established; a Director of Broadcasting has been appointed; a conservatorium of music and the spoken arts has been promised, and in Wellington a third national station has been established. Those are the advances made in the last 18 months, and it looks as if the only thing of importance likely to occur in the next 18 months is that the Government will be spouting propaganada from a shortwave station to a world which is heartily sick of propaganda. These recent accomplishments of the National Broadcasting Service have not been under-stated. The great world of radio goes round, but the radio administrators in this country are deplorably anxious to stand still. Anybody who takes a lively interest in radio cannot refrain from criticism when confronted by the mulishness and self-satisfaction of the National Broadcasting Service. The fact that some of the criticisms may apply to broadcasting in Australia or Great Britain does not invalidate them. Badio organisation in this country should be compact enough to allow for excellence that might well compensate for some of the disadvantages a small community has to face tnits broadcasting. Instead of usmg this advantage, the National Broadcasting Service and the Government, are anxious to enlarge their radio province without gaining anything from the enlargement. The probability is that within the next year or two the National Broadcasting Service will have a number of B stations on its hands, and yet there is evidence enough that it does not know how to make the best use of those stations it controls now. By that time, too, there is a good chance that the commercial stations, under the dictatorship of Mr Scrimgeour, will have spread in a way that will be an embarrassment to the National Broadcasting Service. Nobody Satisfied The main fault with programmes from the national stations is that they please nobody. There may be a few contented listeners abroad in the land, but I must confess that I have not-yet encountered any. When I say that nobody is pleased I include people who are capable of using the radio intelligently—who use it as Professor Shelley says it should be used. I kr }ow that the time can never come when it will be possible to satisfy every listener, or even a majority of listeners, but the National Broadcasting Service should be able to make many more friends than it has got. Although write with restricted knowledge on tnis point, I understand that somewhat unprepossessing gentlemen can Ana favour with ladies simply because they are attentive in matters which seem unimportant enough in themselves, but which amount to a great deal in tne aggregate. The National Broadcasting Service should learn from the success of the unprepossessing lover. It should woo the public with elegant little attentions; it should strive to please, and certainly its courtship of listeners should not continue as the humdrum business it is now. Often enough I have suggested ways in which the public could be attracted by novelties, but the National Broadcasting Service is far too proud to take much notice of the ideas of one outside the headquarters’gang in Wellington, and yet it should be clear enough that useful hints could come from average listeners. I hope that my Melbourne friend may now be able to see that I don’t criticise the National Brodacasting Service for fun, I do it, with appropriate sorrow, merely because my robust sense of duty tells me that criticism is needed. 3YA Orchestra A correspondent who claimed to be writing for a group of listeners has sent me a letter containing forthright criticism of the 3YA orchestra. Certain instruments were mentioned as being specially obnoxious, but I shall not mention them, for I think it best to comply with the charitable exhortation seen in old-time American saloons: “Don’t shoot the pianist: he’s doing his best.” This correspondent invited me—perhaps even challenged me—to listen to the orchestra’s performance last Wednesday evening. Well, I did so, and I must say that I was not aware of some of the gross imperfections my correspondent and his friends were able to detect. The shortcoming most apparent to me was the numerical poverty of the orchestra. It’s noise did not appear to be much more than that which might come from a robust quartet. In these days it should be possible to build the orchestra up to satisfactory numerical strength. The musicians must be available, but as the National Broadcasting Service probably pays its musicians about five shillings for an orchestral performance, and enough to cover tram fares for rehearsals, others cannot be blamed for preferring to stay home by the fire. Instead of planning to spend money on the conservatorium, the National Broadcasting Service could do valuable work by encouraging the growth of station orchestras. In present circumstances musical and orchestral societies find it difficult to carry on, and this being so, it is not unfair to suggest that new responsibilities should be borne by the National Broadcasting Service. Without criticising the quality of yfed nes-

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

day’s performance by the 3YA orchestra, it is not unjust to say that the volume was no more than would provide a pleasant musical background in a hotel dining-room. Gray’s Elegy Here is an excellent example of how an item is sure to fall short, simply because the programme organisers have not used a ha’p’orth of imagination. They are so used to the business of compounding programes in the good old way that they are now almost incapable of ringing changes. Next Wednesday evening 3YA will broadcast a record of lon Swinley reading Gray’s “Elegy in a Country Churchyard.” This poem, so we are assured by the famous Dr. Johnson, is one to which “every bosom returns an echo.” In other words, it is a simple and popular poem. Mr Swinley has done a great deal of poetry reading for the British Broadcasting Corporation, so It may be assumed that the record will be worth hearing. Now, there are many people in Christchurch who have paid their respect to Gray’s memory by going on a pilgrim visit to the churchyard at Stoke Poges. It would, therefore, have been a good idea to preface Mr Swinley’s reading (I hate to call it recitation) with a five-minute talk about Stoke Poges, I know that programme organisers cannot be omniscient, but some of them should be aware that the churchyard which inspired the “Elegy” exists to-day, pretty much as it was in Gray’s time. So there you are. A little imagination could change a formal item into one of general interest. Mixed! Last Sunday evening Mr Scrimgeour broadcast one of his helpful little talks from 2ZB. In extolling the virtue of Nature’s bounty, he declared: “The rain falling on your face may wash your heart clean.” I had not thought of facial porosity before, but apparently Mr Scrimgeour has. I have listened to Mr Scrimgeour a good many times now, and I have come to the conclusion that he is one of the most alarming conservatives in the country. With monotonous frequency he attempts to hearten the have-nots in New Zealand by telling them of all the unhappy rich people he knows. Those who live in large houses have, according to him, practically assured for themselves lives of acutest misery. But then, as he says so often, “It’s a furtny old world.” BROADCASTING TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (720 Kilocycles) 7.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report on play in the cricket match. New Zealand v. Cambridge, at Cambridge. 7.5 (approx.); Breakfast session. 8.0: Report on the above cricket match. 8.5 (approx.): Continuation of breakfast session. 9.0: Report on the above cricket match. 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15: Selected recordings. 10.30; Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 10.32: Selected recordings. 11.30 (approx.): Relay from Addington of Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting. 12 noon; Lunch music. 1 p.m.: Special week-end weather forecast. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.30: Time signal from the Dominion Observatory. 3.32: Selected recordings. 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour, conducted by Aunt Pat. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30: Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 8.0: Chimes. Recordings, Edith Lorand Orchestra. 8.9: Alice Moxon and Stuart Robertson (vocal duet). 8.17: Rawicz and Landauer (piano duets). 8.24: Sandy Powell (comedian). 8.28: Evelyn Scotney (soprami). 8.34; Recording, Jack Hylton and his Orchestra. 8.40: Harold Prescott (tenor). 8.52: Recording, Paddi Mackey’s Band. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Presentation of 8.8. C. recorded programme. “Zoo ’Oiidav.” A light entertainment. 10.0: Snorts summary. 10.10; Dance music. Alternative station, 3YL, 1200 kilocvcles. 5 p.m.: Selected recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Chimes. Symphonic programme. 10.0: Light popular programme bv the Hulbert Family, the Tiger Ragamuffins and Reginald Dixon. IYA, AUCKLAND (650 Kilocycles) 7.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report on play in the cricket match. New Zealand v. Cambridge, at Cambridge. 7.5 (approx.): Breakfast session. 8.0: Report on play in the above cricket match. 8.5 (approx.): Continuation of breakfast session. 9.0 (approx.): Report on play in the above cricket match. 10.0; Devotional service. 10.15: Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. Ip.m.: District week-end weather forecast. 3.0: Relay from Eden Park of Rugby football. 3.15 Sports results. 5.0: Children’s session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30; Talk, the Gardening Expert, “Lime and its Uses.” 8.0; Concert programme. A programme presented from the studio by the Auckland Choral Society. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Recordings: Debroy Somers Band and Chorus. 9.13: Arthur Young and Reginald Forsythe (two pianos). 9.19; Albert Gibbons-Taylor (bass-baritone) 9.25. Recordings: Colombo and his Tzigane Orchestra. 9.31: Light Opera Company. 9.35: Reginald New (theatre organ). 9.41: Albert Gibbons Taylor (bass-baritone). 9.47: Recordings: Bidgood and Jerome (piano duo). 9.50: New Mayfair Orchestra. 10.0: Sports summary. Alternative station, IYX, 880 kilocycles. 5 p.m.; Light musical programme. 7.0: Afterdinner music. 8.0: Popular programme. 10.0: Music and humour. 2YA, WELLINGTON . (570 Kilocycles) 7.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report on play in the cricket match. New Zealand v. Cambridge, at Cambridge. 7.5 (approx.): Breakfast session. 8.0: Report on play in the above cricket match. 8.5 (approx.): Continuation of breakfast session. 9.0: Report on play in the above cricket match. 10.0; Selected recordings. 10.30; Time signals. Devotional service. 12 noon: Lunch music. 1 p.m.: Special week-end weather forecast. 3.0: Running commentary on the Rugby football match (relayed from Athletic Park). Announcer: Mr Charles Lamberg. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30: Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 8.0; Chimes. The Eight O’clock Revue.” A grown-up children’s hour. Devised and directed by Will Bishop. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Dance programme. 10.0; Sports summary. 10.10: Dance programme continued. Alternative station, 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 3 p.m.: Selected recordings. 5.0: Light musical programme. 7.0; Afterdinner music. 8.0: Miscellaneous recital programme. 9.0: Variety and vaudeville. 10.0; A popular programme. 4YA, DUNEDIN (790 Kilocycles) 7.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report on play in the cricket match, New Zealand v. Cambridge, at Cambridge. 7.5 (approx.): Breakfast session. 8.0: Report on play in the above cricket match. 8.5 (approx.): Continuation of breakfast session. 9.0: Report on play in the above cricket match. 10.0: Selected recordings. 10.15: Devotional service. 12 noon: Lunch music. 1 p.m.: District week-end weather forecast. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.0: Running commentary on senior Rugby match (relay from Carisbrook). 4.45 (approx.). Snorts results. Weather forecast. Selected recordings. 5.0: Children’s hour, conducted by Cousin Molly. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. Chimes. A light orchestra and ballad concert Orchestra, conducted by James Dixon. 8.10: Recordings: Thomas Case (baritone). 8.16: The Orchestra, Selection from "The Love Race” (Clark). 824: Recordings; Olive Groves (soprano). 8.33. The Orchestra; “Cockney Suite, (cameo Sf London life) (Ketelbey). 8.48: Recordings: Thomas Case (baritone). 8.54. The Orchestra. 9.0: Weather report and ■station notices 9.5: Dance music. 10.0: sSort? summary. 10.10: Dance music. Alternative station. 4YO, 1140 kilocycles. 3 pm.: Light musical programme. 5.0. Selected recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: "Musical Miscellany. A popular programme. 9.0: Band programme, with spoken, vocal, and instrumental interludes 10.0: Comedy and light music. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND GSG. 16.86 metres: GSO, 18.76 metres: GSB, 31.55 metres. 3.30 p.m.: Big Ben. “London Log.” 3.40: Light Operatic programme. 4.40: Talk; "Responsibilities of Empire.” 4.55: The news and announcements. 5.15: A Sports Talk. 5.30; Recital of Music by Debussy. Mrs Norman O’Neill (pianoforte). 5.45; Close down-

SUNDAY ‘ 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH 9.0 a.m.; Chimes. Report of play in the cricket match. New Zealand v. Lancashire. at Manchester. 9.5 (approx.); Selected recordings. 10.0: Report of play in the above cricket match. 10.5 (approx.): Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from St. John’s Anglican Church. Preacher: Rev. J. T. McWilllam. Organist and choirmaster: Mr Claude H. Davies. 1 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.30: Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 5.30: Children’s song service, con-, ducted by Rev. J. Johns, assisted by the chUdren of the Beckenham Methodist Sunday school. 6.15: Selected recordings. 6.30: Relay of evening service from Durham Street Methodist Church. Preacher; Rev. Clarence Eaton. Organist and choirmaster: Mr Melville Lawry. 8.0: Selected recordings. 8.30: Recording: Liepzig Gewandhous Orchestra. 8.41: Harold Prescott (tenor). 8.52 t Recording! The B. Symphony Orchestra, Hungarian Dances. (Brahms). 9.0: Talk by Mr J W. Heenan. C.B.E. Under Secretary for Internal Affairs, “Sidelights on the King George V Memorial Appeal.” 9.10: Weather report and station notices. 9.15: Edmund Kurtz, famous Russian 'cellist. Accompanist. Noel Newson. 9.35: Recording: Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. 9.39: Jessie King, Australian mezzo-contralto. 9.50. Recordings: Eileen Joyce (Pianoforte). 10.2: Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Alternative station, 3YL. 6 p.m,: Musical programme. 8.30. Operatic programme. IYA. AUCKLAND 9.0. a.m.: Chimes. Report of play in the cricket match—New Zealand V. Lancashire. at Manchester. 9.5 (approx.). Selected recordings. 10.0: Report of play in the above cricket match. 10.5 (approx.): Selected recordings. 11.0. Morning service, relayed from St. Lukes Presbyterian Church. Preacher: Rev. John A. Allan. Organist: Mr S. Yallop. 1 pm : Dinner music. 2.0; Selected recordings. 3.30: Recordings: Vladimir Horowitz (piano). 3.54: Selected recordings. 6.0. Children’s song service. 7.0: Evening service, relayed from St. Mary s Cathedral. Preacher: Canon William Fancourt. Organist: Mr Edgar Randall. 8.15: Selected recordings. 8.30: Concert programme. Recordings : Beatrice and Margaret Harrison (’cello and violin). 8.36: Alexander Borowsky (piano). 8.44: Adolf Busch (violin). 8.52: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. 9.0: Talk by Mr J. W. Heenan, C. Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, "Sidelights on the King George V Memorial Appeal.” 9.10: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: The 8.8. C. recorded programme, “King George the Fifth." by Arthur Bryant and Laurence Gilliam. Alternative station, IYX. 6 p.m.. Light musical programme. ".30. Songs of Many Lands." A continuity programme. 2YA, WELLINGTON 9.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report on cricket match. New Zealand v. Lancashire, at Manchester. 9.5 (approx.): Selected recordings. 10.0: Report on above cricket match. 10.5 (approx.): Continuation of selected recordings, 11.0: Relay of morning service from Vivian Street Baptist Church. Preacher: Rev. L. J. BoultonSmith. Organist; Mr Charles Collins. Choirmaster: Mr H. .E. Wilson. 1 p.m.: Dinner session. 2.0: Two compositions written for the Coronation of king George V (1911): London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Landon Ronald. 2.18: (approx.): Selected recordings. 6.0: Childrens song service, conducted by Uncle Wflliam, assisted by the children from Island Bay Wesley Church. 7.0: Relay of evening service from Salvation Army Citadel. Preacher; Captain George Thompson. 815 (approx.). Selected recordings. 8.30: A band programme. Recording: Foden s Motor Works Band. 8.36: Essie Ackland (contralto). 8.39: Garde Republlcaine Band of France, conducted by Pierre Dupont. 8.47. Peter Dawson (bass-baritone). 8.53. Kegimental Band of H.M.Grenadier Guards. 9.0: Talk by Mr J. W. Heenan. C.B E., TTnder-Secretarv for Internal Affairs, "Sidelights on the King George V Memorial Anneal.” 9.10: Weather report and station notices 9.15: A vocal and wurlitzer organ recital bv Stella Power (coloratura soprano) and Iris Manson. 9.45: Recordings Irish Army Band, No. 1 (conducted by Colonel Fritz Erase). 9-53: William Kennedy (tenor). 9.56: Munn and Feltons Works Band. Alternative station, 2YC. 6 p.m.; Selected recordings. 8.30: A recital by the smaller instrumental combination. trios to sextets, with concerted vocal Interludes. 4YA, DUNEDIN 9 0 a.m.: Chimes. Report of play in the cricket match. New Zealand v. Lancashire. at Manchester. 9.5 (approx.). Selected recordings. 10.0: Report of play in the above cricket match. 10.5 (approx.). Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of Matins from St. John’s Church, Roslyn. Preacher: Rev. L. D. C. Groves. Choirmaster: Mr W. H. Allen. Organist Mrs W H Allen. 1 p.m.: District weather forecast. Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 2.30: The Berlin State Opera House Orchestra. Symphony No. 5 in E Minor Op. 64 (Tschaikowsky). 3.10. Selected recordings. 5.30: Childrens song service, conducted by Big Brother Bill. 6.15: Selected recordings. 6.30: Relay of service from Knox Presbyterian Church. Preacher: Rev. D. C. Herron, M.A., M.C. Organist: Mr C. Roy Spackman. 7.45. Selected recordings. 8.30: The Queen s Hall Orchestra, conducted by Sir Henry J. Wood. 8.42: Dorothy Stentiford (contralto). 8.54: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vaclac Tahch. 9.0. Talk bv Mr J. W. Heenan, C.8.E., Undersecretary for Internal Affairs. Sidelights on the King George V Memorial Appeal." 9.10: Weather report and station notices. 9.15: Rees McConachy (violin). 9 29; Willem Mengelberg and his Concertgebow Orchestra. 9.38: F. G. Taplln (baritone). 9.50: Sir Thomas Beecham, conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra Alternative station, 4YO, 6 P-m--Selected recordings. 8.30: A musical trip round the British Isles. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND GSG. 16.86 metres; GSO„ 18.76 metres; GSB, 31.55 metres. oon n m • Big Ben. Chamber Music. The Kutcher Trio. 4.5; I “Marie’s letter Sports Summary, and Announcements 5.15: "John Londoner at Home (21). 5.45: Qlose down. OVERSEA RECEPTION NOTES (Supplied by the New Zealand DX Radio Association.) New stations now operating are:— XEBZ Sabinas, Mexico, 640 kilocycles; VOCM St. John’s, Newfoundland, 1000 kilocycles; W3XJ College Park, 1060 kilocycles; KTKC Visalia, 1190 kilocycles; WDSM Superior, 1200 kilocycles- WSNJ Bridgetown, 1210 kilocycles; KFPA Helena, 1210 kilocycles; KRIS Corpus Christi, Texas, 1330 kilocycles; KOKO La Junta, 1370 kilocycles; WRTD Richmond, 1500 kilocycles. Special DX programmes will be broadcast as follows: —KGIW Alamosa, Colorado, 1420 kilocycles, 100 watts, each Tuesday. Thursday, and Saturday, from 6.30 p.m.; KTSA San Antonio, Texas, 550 kilocycles, 1000 watts, on the fifth of each month from 5.30 to 5.45 p.m.; KTEM Temple, Texas, 1370 kilocycles, 100 watts, on the fifth day of each month from 7.30 to 8 p.m.; KFVD Los Angeles, California, 1000 kilocycles, 250 watts, each Friday from 9.30 p.m.; TGW Guatemala, 1210 kilocycles, 10,000 watts, each Sunday from 4.30 to 9.30 p.m.; PRES Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1220 kilocycles, 10,000 watts, closing 7.30 p.m.; WFOY St. Augustine, Florida, 1210 kilocycles, 100 watts, each Friday from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. MELHUISH and CO. Readjust your Radio in your own home, 3s 6d; Lyttelton, 5s 6d. Use 'phone 41-508. 6541