"SPORTSMEN ALL"

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1934, Page 19

"SPORTSMEN ALL"

New Zealand is remarkable (says "World Radio," one of the 8.8.C.'s publications) not only for the rapid progress of broadcasting, but for the number of listeners who genuinely believe that New Zealand broadcasting is second to none in the universe. This belief is particularly, strong among those who have never been beyond the Dominion. Local patriotism of this kind is entirely admirable. Unlike' other forms of nationalism, it has no malign repercussions on international relations. There is one aspect of tho New Zealand programmes which is not surpassed anywhere, and that is in the matter of sporting commentaries. In one week recently, horse races weie described in detail on four successive afternoons. There were fifteen-minute relays every hour of a Plun-' ket Shield cricket match. On four days there were relays from, a regatta, and on two days reports of a swimming gala. In addition, there were general sports talks, and extended sporting news bulletins. It is a question of suiting different tastes and not "If business interferes with your sport give, up your business." It would be interesting to know if this is merely interest in sport for sport's sake, or if there is some othei consideration of a speculative character.