GETTING TOGETHER

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 149, 26 June 1931, Page 11

GETTING TOGETHER

ROTARY BY" RADIO

BROADCAST ACROSS THE

WORLD

At 10.30 (Xew Zealand time) lastnight the Tlotarians of -Schenectady (New-York) and Melbourne (Australia) were in fraternal and harmonious contact per means of radio... A Rotary breakfast in Schenectady at 7 a.m. corresponded with a Rotary supper in Melbourne at 9 p.m, (Australian time), and the broadcast of the very interesting proceedings was carried out by station 'AV2XAF, Schenectady, and station. VK3MB, Melbourne, respectively. President Smy the,, of the Schenectady Club/opened the proceed-: ings with a cordial ' address to the Botarians'assembled in Melbourne and those of their follows who: were, listen-ing-in throughout the world,- after which there came a 1 song of- greeting by members of the club, followed by the singing of Maryland; My Maryland." -Then the announcer at- Schenectady informed the Melbourne Rotarians that they would like to hear them sing... .-.-:.:.-. .'.: . .:•-'•■ ;: ■ ' ■■ • ' ;

. New Zealand' -listeners -who were tuned iii to 2YA, which carried out a very successful rebroadcast, were unfortunately unable to hear the response to this request, owing to a Morse station crashing over the wavelength of 3ME. Following the Melbourne song, a speaker at Schenectatly expressed in-felicitous-terms America's sympathy ' with Australia in the troubles she was ' experiencing,, and j their good wishes for a speedy recovery therefrom, concluding with "Goodbye, good luck, and God bless you all." The Sehencctady. High School Band of sixty strong then played a selection, after which both clubs, though a world apart, joined in singing "There's a Long, Long Trail." The speakers on both sides voiced, sentiments expressive of a warm ■ desire for world peace. - "The • Washington Post," played by the Schenectady High School Band, brought the unique proceedings and a most interesting broadcast to a close. ' 'NEIGHBOURS '' TO DAY. The following account of the proceedings is supplied, by Mr. R. Leslie Jones, who heard the short-wave broadcasts at his homo:President W. Schneider, of the Scheneetady Club, opened the broadcast proceedings by sending greetings to Melbourne;. Addressing the Melbourne president and; Botarians at Melbourne, and; fellow-delegates at "Vienna, he referred to. those men who subscribed to the main belief in Rotary, stating that, it had a wider significance to-day. They wanted to restore general happiness iv the world. '"'Yesterday, astime goes in history, the term, neighbour applied to the man next door. To-day things are different," said Mr. Schneider. He instanced 'the progress made throughout the world, mentioning particularly tho telephone, telegraph, cables, aeroplanes, ' and radio. "We are reaching. Biblical' realisation; more importnnt still, all men are -brothers.in the widest sense."- He referred to the safe arrival of the two airmen, Wiley Post and 'Harold Gatty,who had left 0n1y.24 hours before, and also to the wonderful flights made by Kingsford Smith. The Melbourne Club then responded with greeting to Schenectacly. Kef erring' to Rotary, tho speaker said "its name is ono to. conjure'with." Refereiie'e; wal made to -'the .progress resulting iri!my'SeienWfik?*^search -aiuT the. mpny. comforts ] given' to mankind.' "We in Melbourne enjoy many associations -with other Botarians." "The luncheon room at Melbourne is adorned with emblems of Oslo, Sweden, Japan,' and Ne.W.York. .This is the first time wo. have had a- combined meeting with a- club, inj another :. country. ■ On -this wintry' day,we greet you so far away.?' It was hoped members from both countries would-, meet each other. Congratulations were extended to the General Electric Company, Scheneetadyj New York, and Amalgamated Wireless, Australasia, Ltd., Melbourne, for making the combined function possible, -lit was hoped they would have 'the advantage of television in. general use shortly. .-

The song of greeting was then sung from the Scheneetady District, High snack of the geeting song and then we shall sing the Rotary song," was how the speaker put. it. Befcrenee was made to the late Rev. Dr. Taylor, a irtuc'h beloved Kotarian. . ' JOINT SINGING. A song, "Waltzing Matilda," was sung by the Melbourne gathering. "You have a very fine group of singers down there, and we enjoyed hearing them," replied Scheneetady immediately. Then, followed greetings from the Secretary District Governor Mitchell. "We are passing through difficult times; we are impressed with the gesture from your President, Mr. Hoover," remarked the Melbourne, speaker. Quickly came a reply from, Scheneetady that "Rotarians throughout the world are interested in our boys and-girls; we have with us this morning some boys and girls from the: Scheneetady District High School." Then followed a. march by the school orchestra.' It was proposed 'that the- club members in both countries should join in-a song together; and "There's a.Long, Long Trail" was sung lustily. Melbourne finished slightly ahead of Scheneetady; and the chorus was repeated, this time Melbourne finished first about.half a bar ahead of the others.- The "Washington Post" mai'eh, played by the orchestra at Scheneetady^ concluded the broadcast part of the function promptly at 10.59 p.m. (New Zealand time) as arranged. : The ceremony was re-broadcast through a chain o£ 16: stations in ■'U.S.A.. by the National Broadcasting ■Corporation. The' General. Electric Company Operated WGY and also ..two. rcxporimontal stations, including the wellknown powerful station, W2XAF, - on short wave; whilst; Amalgamated Wireless "(Australasia),' Ltd., sit -Melbourne operated' -the •■'• experimental : station VKKMT3- on ; short wave. The function was also TC-broaaeast'in Australia .. on long-wave. ■'■•'•' •':--"-" ' ■ '/■ ' ■ ' Reception-at Lyall Bay.onshort. w.ayc direct was elcar- and at good, volume. No echo was heard fioin either Schcnec^ tady or Melbourne microphones; and the combined .ceremony inbolh countries was listened to ..throughout