Broadcasting

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 53, 26 November 1930, Page 13

Broadcasting

Sir,—I regret your correspondent'Mr. R. Leslie Jones has not given more than generalities over the question of State control. I cannot quite accept the statement that the “revenue at present will more than cover all that is likely to be expended” without some tangible evidence. So far, nothing has been published by the Postmaster-General in the way of figures substantiating this. The Postmas-ter-General’s scheme entails a large capital expenditure with a big increase in maintenance and other charges. He bases his optimistic outlook on the creation of 100,000 licenses. I cannot credit licenses will reach that total. All that the public asks is a statement of receipts and ex- ' penditure based on the present number of licenses issued. It is folly to calculate on any other basis. It would be quite useless on my part to attempt to convince “A Humble Straggler on the Vocal Way ” but I will briefly answer him. “Vibrato” is seldom caused by nervousness. It is due to want of control of the breath, faulty production, a want of musical'knowledge, and ) to .a lack of artisti’yl Some people wilfully cultivate the “vibrato.” Madame Clara Butt may have confessed to nervousness before the cold microphone, but at least her. records are free from the nauseous “vibrato.” Your correspondent fails to see’ why the authorities should test performers out • before submitting them to an unsuspecting public. His statement means that . 2YA authorities should engage any performer whether good or bad so long as the performer’ thought he was fit to broadcast. That’s putting “the cart before the horse” with a vengeance. It is a plea for the mediocre and non-improveinent. It may be as. well that “try again” privileges are not extended to some broadcast performers. It is however still the duty of 2YA authorities to persevere with microphonic tests with performers, but not to put them “over the aii;” until they have mastered the art of singing into the microphone. There is a much better chance of professional artists making a success of broadcasting than the non-professional. They could “sit On the. microphone” all right' if the fees were just and reasonable. Most of the professional artists I have heard are worth while listening to. At least they' give an intelligent perform- ' ance. I give credit to 2YA that in the matter of transmission it has improved considerably. My object in writing is to endeavour, to get the authorities to understand that what the listener wants is a general improvement all round, and this can be done by looking to the smaller details. '■ The latter portion of your correspondent’s, letter is "beside the point”—l am, OtC " PJB. Wellington, November 21. '