CHURCH WIRELESS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 144, 15 December 1927, Page 21

CHURCH WIRELESS

CONFERENCE IN CHRIST-

CHURCH

A conference between representatives of various religious denominations andthe Radio Broadcasting Company was held in Christchurch recently for the purpose of discussing the company's proposals in regard to the broadcasting of religious services. The policy of broadcasting church services was approved, and a local committee was set up. The following denominations were represented:—Church of England, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, and Church of Christ. The company was represented by Messrs. A. E. Harris, general manager; W. J. Bellingham, musical manager; and C. Booth, director of 3YA. The following proposals in respect to ■the broadcasting of religious services ; at its four stations at Auckland, "Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunediu were placed before the conference by the company:— . 1. Every Sunday; regular evening' church services or "special studio servieces occupying about one and a quarter hours. ■ 2. Every Sunday special children's services from the company's studios tor from 30 to 45 minutes prior to the commencement of the church service. 3. By arrangement, regular Sunday morning church services or special studio services. .4. By arrangement, special Sunday ' afternoon sessions of approved character. 5. From time to time, approved organ and choral music from churches or from the company's studios at the conclusion of the Sunday evening services. * • - ■ • b

6. From time to time, week-day church .services, organ recitals, ana .choral, festivals :of acceptable charac^

In 'arranging to broadcast Sunday religious services th,e company proposed to give preference .to the more prominent denominations that may be broadcast at regular intervals, namely 1, Church of England; 2, Presbyterian; 3,;Boman Catholic; 4, Methodist; #r? -8 *; I 1 Salvatioll Army; 7, Church ot. Christ; 8, Congregational. v The/broadcasting of the services of these denominations will be restricted to the first four Sundays of every" month, the fifth Sunday being reserved for special services of other rejisious bodies or,for special services rendered from the company's studios. A motion that the meeting approve of the broadcasting of church services was carried unanimously. A communication from the Salvation Army -was read explaining that the Army authorities were not keenly desirous of broadcasting and could not do so regularly, and a message was received from Bishop Brodie stating that the Eoman Catholic Church had decided not to broadcast any service at present. The meeting decided to set up a Provisional Committee to co-operate with the Broadcasting Company, each church to be invited to appoint one representative.

_ A long discussion ensued on the question of the time and place of the service which is broadcast—whether in the studio- or the church, and whether, it in the studio, it should be during the hours of the ordinary church services or afterwards. This discussion centred round the first proposal of the Broadcasting Company: "Every Sunday regular evening church services or special studio services occupying about one. and a quarter hours." «. Th?> followijl& motion was carried, the Presbyterian representatives dissenting: "Every Sunday regular evening services or special studio services be broadcast, the studio service to beat the usual church hour." The Presbyterian representatives disagreed with the time of the studio service, if any, contending that it should bo after the regular service.

The remaining proposals of the company were referred to the committee.