Viewers' views

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33778, 26 February 1975, Page 4

Viewers ' views

“THE SOUTH TONIGHT” Surely A.K.G.’s comments lon “The South Tonight”, [ were ill-timed even if some [ were correct. The statement- ! by Mr Allpress that he and : his team are sick of the un-l Icertainty surrounding their I ■future confirms the view that! this same situation must I inevitably adversely affect: (the programme, and some' i leniency is therefore desirable I at this crucial time. As “E. I Stephen Joseph” so rightly ’ states, viewers should be given a chance to see what goes on locally and Mr B.; Crossan, news chief for Tele-; I vision Two has conceded this! point. But the news item on i Saturday concerning the new appointment for -Mr Allpress makes one wonder what is I in the wind. Mr Walker, M.P. for Papanui, stated someitime ago that popular staff [members in Auckland and ] Wellington, were being offered large salaries. The scant consideration given to I Mr Allpress previously moneywise may cause him to | accept an offer contrary to his' inclinations. Perhaps Mr I Walker could advise him (and Mrs Jennifer Parker) how to act.—UNITED WE STAND. NOT CRICKET? I am very annoyed about 'remarks made by K.J.M. in I regard to the nationalities of ' the two cricketers named. Not only is a slur cast against them but against South Africans and Australians -in general. 1 would suggest that personal prejudices be kept out of this column. I have lived for some time in both these countries ■ and And the remarks quite [unwarranted. However, K.J.M.’s fihal comment m [ regard - te cricket makes the remarks quite stupid, for. as' far as Tony Greig is con-. ■cemed, he is a South African, of British stock and has lived ; in the “cooler climate” of, ■ Britain for sometime now.— “IRATE READER.” CIVIL DEFENCE ; With reference to the! [“Focus” programme on civil[ i defence last Saturday I feel la serious omission was made, [in not drawing the public’s , attention to the fact that I every telephone directory in i the country has two complete [ [pages at the back on the I correct procedures to follow | in an emergency. In addition I

to this, the booklet “Help” published by the Christchurch City Council includes this basic information. It is hoped that such an omission will not be made again in any further public discussion on this topic and that the public are made aware of these sources of information. —PHYLLIS ZEFF, Chairman, Citizens Advice Bureau (Canterbury). RAY COLUMBUS There have been occasions when I can reach agreement I with your television critics,! but generally 1 find their opinions gauche and inexplicable. Take for instance,! the Ray Columbus pro-! gramme last week which! suddenly entered my mind when I saw the 1929 chorusline at the beginning of the film “That’s Entertainment.” The thought was a curious one because I couldn’t help comparing the mightly talent; which appeared later in that [

film while at the other end of the ability pace Ray Columbus “sang,” “danced” and even whistled his way through a peak viewing halfhour slot. He might have got away with the Al Jolson caper, which was not too bad, but the rest, was shoddy viewing at best. Only one thing is certain and that is while we have managed to put the film industry out of business we have not got equivalent talent out of the box. It was certainly not, to coin a phrase, entertainment to watch Ray Columbus, but again there were at least two people who enjoyed the show — Columbus and your television critic.—PILGRIM.