Viewers’ Views

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32392, 3 September 1970, Page 3

Viewers’ Views

“Gallery’s” most interesting section was the discussion Brian Edwards had with three young people about the current petition seeking to protect the morals of young people. Edwards said Miss Bartlett had been heard, and so had her adult critics, but the views of those young people who are the object of the exercise had not been publicised: thus the three young people in the studio with him. Here, perhaps, the point of such a discussion was missed. The ages of the speakers were not given, or if they were, this viewer missed them. But they hardly represented the young people on whose behalf the protective works are proceeding. They were young, but not very young. And they clearly were of high intelligence, wellspoken, clear in their ideas and able to express them. There is certainly no need to protect young people of this calibre; and so the members of the panel were representative of just another section of the community able to comment on a situation which does not affect them nearly as much as

Letters on television topics are subject to the rules applying to general correspondence.

SQUARE DANCING After viewing the square dancing of the first two programmes of the new “Country Touch” series it was expected that choreography

mistakes would show up as unqualified people are being used to look after that phase of square dancing. However, the mistakes made on the third programme are a disgrace. The fact that only about 2000 square dancers exist in New Zealand, and therefore only a few people would know that the mistakes are being made, does not justify the complete disregard of the correct interpretation of square dance movements. It is inexcusable to hear a caller calling a dance yet see the dancers doing something that has no association with the calls. This shows the obvious lack of knowledge of the caller, dancers, choreographers and producer.—A. K. SHEPHERD. CRICKET

I have waited patiently for some indication that the N.Z.B.C. has arranged some sort of coverage of the cricket tests between England and the Rest of the World. We have plenty of Rugby, soccer ad nauseam, and many other sports are adequately covered. But I have seen nothing of this extremely interesting cricket series, in which England had a strong team and the opposing side contained some of the most exciting players of this or any period. Surely the quality of this cricket deserves the recognition of just one programme, even if it lasts as little as an hour?— TAKE GUARD. BRACKEN’S WORLD

It came as a distinct surprise to me to discover that even one person had taken up the cudgels on behalf of “Bracken’s World.” While appreciating that individual tastes differ widely, it is still hard to understand how anybody can go for this sick rubbish, least of all the N.Z.B.C. It made a mistake in buying “The Survivors” but at least had the sense to

relegate it to a minor viewing time. How “Bracken’s World” was given a Saturday night spot is beyond comprehension. The N.Z.B.C. has no need to apologise for repeat programmes, if they are good ones. They would be preferable to this tawdry tripe.— R.J.L.