BROADCASTING.

Evening Star, Issue 21715, 9 May 1934, Page 14

BROADCASTING.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir,—Had it not boon for the nonsensical remarks about the alleged “ harsh and muzzy ” transmission from IYO 1 would not have bothered to comment on the obviously persona! letter of “ Straight Shift’s ” in last night’s ‘ Star,’ I surely cannot be blamed for having a radio so well constructed that I can receive programmes almost faultlessly from broadcasting stations—so natural, indeed, that by closing my eyes temporarily J can gain the impression of having the actual artists or instrumentalists in the room with me. Another pleasing way of listening is to turn off the room light, and ”o get the impression of being in a theatre. No doubt there are plenty of listeners who have the same splendid reproduction by their machines, probably some who may even lay claim to Inn ing a more “ wonderful ’’ radio than mine. As J write I am listening (o IVO. not to gain a biased opinion of its transmission with which to annoy such dh’gnmlled critics as “ Straight Shift. ’ but simply because I get it so 'splendall'. that it is my favourite sla;icv, for list cuing In. Certainly | have • in u i'h to deprive "Straight Shill” of ids. B stations. I freely present the whole issue to him, lock, slock, and barv.'l. Whether they will be grateful for ■ ha\ 1 itg him as their favourite listener f. of eotirse, do not profess to foresee.

Such an extraordinary narrow point of view as ’’ Straight Shift s some trying to fathom. The rest of his letter is such a conglomeration of mixed ideas that it is really puzzling to know what be is aiming at. Alter intense concentration 1 can only conic to the conclusion that he is peeved at my receiving public commendation in the ‘ Star ’ from correspondents anent my “ constructive criticism ” of the YA stations recently. “ Straight Shift seems to thrive on destructive criticism. This would not be so bad if it happened to be correct. In the case of 4YO, however, it can by no stretch of the imagination bo claimed to be anything else but absolute nonsense. As to the stuff about listening to Japanese and American stations, 1 have no doubt there are few listeners who do not “ twirl the dial ” occasionally for a little amusement from distant stations. This sort of business, however, is decidedly out allowed to interfere with the true mission of my radio—to provide pleasurable concerts whenever one wants them, and that is pretty often. I can only hope that it will not be long before “ Straight Shift ’ is able to share this pleasure in listening to the best station in Dunedin namely, IYO.—1 ain, etc., Night Owe. May 8. [This correspondence is now closed.— Ed. E.S.J