Control of Broadcasting

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 220, 13 June 1936, Page 15

Control of Broadcasting

Sir, —I feel sure many listeners throughout the Dominion will endorse the criticism of the Rev. Clyde Carr's broadcast utterance on the Broadcasting Bill, as expressed by “Courtenay” in your issue of to-day. A few days ago I read an appreciative commentary on the “radio voice” possessed by the member for Timaru, and when he commenced to speak on Tuesday night I listened atteni tively in the hope of hearing a model i speech. The utterance to which I lis- ! tened was disappointing from beginning to end. It was disappointing, in the first I place, because of its apparent artificiality. When Mr. Savage speaks, one is impressed by the ringing sincerity of his words. Mr. Nash, Mr. Fraser, and other colleagues and supporters of the Prime Minister, convey the same impression. One feels when he hears them, however much he may differ from them, that he is listening to men of good faith, to men who honestly believe in the principles and policy they enunciate. Mr. Clyde Carr’s utterance did not convey that impression. I felt that I was listening to a man who was attempting, not to deal rationally with the measure under discussion, but to pose as a “spell binder” on the air per medium of a flowing torrent of ill-considered words and phrases. His bitter and uncalled-for attack on the Broadcasting Board, utterly lacking as it was in judicial discrimination, must have been repugnant to all fair-minded listeners, who only a little earlier.in the evening had heard the Post-master-General speak in terms- of appreciation of the work done by the board From a gentleman of his cloth, one ex pacts something better than a tirade of vitriolic snleen.

Similarly, with regard to his sweeping statement concerning the hundreds of talented New Zealand artists who have never been given a chance “on the air.” I think “Courtenay’s” challenge is. the most effective answer that can be given to a bald and unsubstantiated allegation of this kind. While endorsing “Courtenay’s” comments in this connection, I should like to invite the member for Timaru to check up on the concert records of the four cities and compare-the number of performers deemed by concert organisers to be suitable for public performances with the number of local artists who have been given engagements by the Broadcasting Board. —I am, etc., IMPARTIAL. Wellington, June 12.

Sir, —What a pass things are coming to in this portion of the British Empire: an Empire which boasts of freedom as its watchword ! The old proverb says. “Tim man who pays the piper calls the tunc,” but what little truth is in it in New Zealand I Listeners-in pay several hundred thousand pounds a year for radio programmes, but are they asked how the business is to be run? “There’s but to pay and sigh,

“There’s not to ask or question why.” should be a new rendering of the wellknown couplet. Who wants to hear platitudes from politicians, especially when such erudite remarks as “Sez you?” It is about time listeners-™ form a protection or defence league and show their feelings and power in the matter. I pay my yearly fee to hear music, lectures, and the like, not rude remarks and interjections from one Parliamentarian to another, nor yet to subsidise private stations whose music has little or no interest for me. Four good stations in New Zealand, one at each main centre, is sufficient for this country and population.— I am, etc., LISTENER-IN. Levin, June 11.