NEWS and COMMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 22086, 20 July 1935, Page 4

NEWS and COMMENTS

STRAY SPARKS On Monday night 4YA will broadcast ■ recorded programme by Will Yates, who presents a humorous imaginary character study. ‘ Spending the Prize Money.’ « « * * Tenders for the supply of at least five new Regional broadcasting stations, each costing between £150,000 and £200,000, are to be called for bv the Australian Government. They will be supplementary to seven other Regional stations now in course of construction. The Australian national broadcasting system at present comprises two stations at Sydney, two at Melbourne, and one each at Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart, Rockhampton, Newcastle (N.S.W.), Corowa (N.S.W.), and Crystal Brook (S.A.). Mr B. B. Blackmorc. a teacher at the Waitaki Boys’ High School, is to give a talk from the main. station on Wednesday, his subject being ‘ The Cowboy Championship of the World. Mr Blackmoie attended the Pendleton rodeo championships a short time ago. On the same evening there will be a repeat performance of the 8.8. C. recorded play’ ‘ Pilot Station.’ and the recorded sea shanties sung by men who were actually on the old windjammers. *** , * The practice of installing _ radio _ receiving sets in hearses, which gained wide popularity in Shanghai, China, last year, has been forbidden by an official order from the Shanghai Bureau of Education, 'Public Safety and Social Affairs. It has been startling to say the least, according to an observer in Shanghai, to hear dance music or jazz songs emanating from hearses during funeral processions through the city streets, and the bureau has decided that the practice is “ obnoxious, and not in conformity with the dignity of funerals.” Recent research has revealed > that if ■ radio mast is made a certain friction of the required wave length in height, and if it is used as the actual aerial, radiation takes place in a much flatter horizontal plane. This gives greater distance, and entirely eliminates the fading which is experienced at night in regions where the sky-wave and ground-wave are comparable in strength. *,* * ■ » ■' Experiments,., which tend _to show radio waves of '*3.4 metres in length have specific effects in killing cancer cells, are reported by .the distinguished medical authority, Sir Leonard Hill. It was found that these cells succumb to these radio waves at very low intensities. ‘ v / * . ... Mozart and Haydn music will be largely featured on the 4YA concert programme on Thursday, and on the following night Gladys Moncrieff (soprano). accompanied by Gil Deck (conductor-pianist), will appear for the first time locally under engagement to the Broadcasting Board. A group of instrumentalists new to radio, the Dunedin Chamber Music Players—Mrs H. C. Campbell (piano). Misses Ethel Wallace and Miss Ngaio Garland (violins). Miss L, Rattigan (viola), and Miss Elvira Wycherley (’cello)will also appear on the latter evening, playing ‘ Quintet in F Minor 7 (Cesar Franck). BROADCAST SERVICES WELLINGTON PRESBYTERY'S VIEWS The Wellington Presbytery had under consideration recently a report on tho broadcasting of_ religious services. The report, which was based on a questionnaire addressed to sessions and ministers, stated that on the whole broadcasting made comparatively little difference to congregations, except in the case of famous preachers from abroad. The broadcast service reached a much larger congregation than churchgoers. Invalids and the aged greatly appreciated being able to join in the public worship. It was found that 4ZM’s programmes, from which special Presbyterian services were given from Dunedin, were not well heard in Wellington owing to interference from other stations. The questionnaire revealed a preference for church services over studio services for Sunday broadcasts. Warm _ appreciation was expressed of the children’s hour services in Wellington on Sunday evenings. 8.8. C. BOOKLET FOR LISTENERS Embracing a comprehensive survey of the methods employed to provide a direct short wave broadcasting service to all parts of the British Empire, a new 40-page booklet has been received from tho 8.8. C. This is intended to act as a guide to those wishing to take advantage of the service, and will be sent free to any overseas listener on direct application to tho 8.8. C. Publishing Department, Broadcasting House, London, W.l. CORRESPONDENCE “G.V.J.” (St. Kilda).' — Many thanks for your second letter. No, the writer is sorry be cannot tell you why the Maori recordings were played but if he receives the information! he will pass it on. .

mgpN ALL

by “HENRY”

EMPIRE PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENTS MOVE FOR GREATER VOLUME AND CLARITY The decision recently announced to increase both the number and power of the Empire transmitters at Uaventry will, it is hoped, when the constructional work is completed, permit our Empire programmes to be received with greater volume and clarity in all parts of the dominions and colonies (writes J. B. Clark, Empire programme director of the 8.8. C.). Parallel with the technical developments which have taken place during the past months the scope of our programmes has been considerably enlarged. An indication of the marked increase in the popularity of the Empire service has been a parallel increase in the volume of correspondence received from overseas listeners. In 1933 we received 11,250 letters from our listeners in all parts of the world, arid in 1934 this figure increased to 18,500. The total number of letters received during the first four months of 1935, however, was 13,574 — slightly more than the total for the whole of the year 1934. SIXTEEN HOURS' DAILY BROADCASTING. When the Empire service was first inaugurated in December, 1932, a total of 10 hours of programmes a day was broadcast. To-dav we broadcast on an average 16 hours in every 24. Our broadcasts are now divided into six transmissions, each designed primarily for reception in certain _ specific parts of the Empire:—Transmission 1: Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific. Transmission 2: Malaya, the Far East, Western Austrlia. Transmission 3: India, Ceylon. Near East. Transmission 4: Africa. Transmission 5: Canada,, the West Indies, the American continent. Transmission 6: Western Canada The programmes in each transmission arc designed for reception at an evening hour, local time, in that part of the Empire for which they are intended At the same time it is recognised that listeners in all parts of the world can hear a programme broadcast in transmissions directed to other parts of the Empire than that in which they reside, although not always at a convenient listening hour, local time. FORMATION OF EMPIRE ORCHESTRA, One of the most, notable developments in our programmes during tne past year has been the formation of the 8.8. C. Empire Orchestra of 22 players under the direction of Mr Eric Fogg. This orchestra, which broadcasts exclusively from the Empire station. is available to take part in the programmes at those times of the day and night when it would normally be difficult to obtain the services of other combinations. It has. fortunately, enabled us to eliminate almost entirely the use of gramophone records, particularly in transmissions 1 and 5. A special endeavour has also been made to obtain works by overseas composers which are suitable for performance by a combination the size of the Empire Orchestra, and it is interesting to record that a number of musicians in the Empire have accepted our invitation to submit a variety of compositions for our consideration. The composition of the Empire Orchestra is now as follows: Three first violins, two second violins, two violas, two violoncellos, one double bass, one flute (doubling piccolo), one oboe, two clarinets, one bassoon, first and second horns, first and second trumpets, one trombone, drums, pianoforte. ... A very large number of artists in the Empire bas also accepted our invitation to attend auditions in London with a view to subsequent broadcast performances. Our regular list of Empire artists now includes 36 Australians. H New Zealanders, 13 Canadians, 21 South Africans, and three Indians. In addition a still further number of visitors from overseas has_ taken part in our programmes of light entertainment or given talks on a variety of subjects on which they are expert. INCREASE IN STAFF, The staff of the Empire department has during the last 12 months, been considerably enlarged, in order to embrace the increase in the hours of transmission, and now includes more than 20 persons, excluding administrative officials and _ stenographers. The Empire news section has recently been entirely separated from the Home news department and is now housed in its own quarters with separate facilities for the reception of news from the news agencies and for maintaining liaison with official sources of information and other public bodies generally. The staff has been enlarged and now consists of an Empire news editor, thre* sub-editors, a secretary, and three typists. The working hours of this stetion have also been extended in order to obtain a higher degree of topicality so that each bulletin is now prepared during a period of the day or night immediately preceding its transmission. In general each bulletin is designed to cover events which have occurred in the 24 hours previous to its broadcast. Additional staff is also available to deal with topical talks which are intended to amplify certain items in the bulletins. Great improvement has also been made during the past months in our technique or recording. The more important programmes broadcast in Great Britain are simultaneously broadcast from the Empire station and recorded for subsequent repetition in other transmissions. In this way the broadcast by His Majesty the King on Jubilee Day, May 6, was simultaneously radiated in the Home programmes and from the Empire station in transmission four and recorded for subsequent rebroadeasting in all other transmissions. REACHING AN EMPIRE-WIDE AUDIENCE. After referring to the improvements in the transmissions to Western Canada, Mr Clark states that the 8.8.C.’s co-operation with overseas broadcasting organisations has enabled it by means of the radio telephone circuits to bring many outstanding programmes in the dominions and colonies to an Empirewide audience. With the development

SEARCHERS OF THE ETHER ITEMS FOR THE DXERS ON THE BROADCAST BAND. While reception this week has been below the average, the main Americans are at good strength, and under fair conditions can be heard at 3.30 p.m. WOAI, WIST, KMOX, WTAM, WHO. KWKH, and WCAU are the first heard, and the hours following until 6.30 p.m. are the best for U.S.A. reception, as after that the Australians, together with the rising noise level, usually defeat any attempt at Dx. On the night of the expected balloon ascent (July 12) a number of Americans were heard between 9 and 10,30. WHO, WBZ, KDKA, and WDAY were the loudest heard here, but numbers of others could be heard breaking through from beneath the Australians. Europeans are audible at fair volume in good localities, the Italians being the best at present. South Americans should be heard again towards the end of tho month, and readers can expect a steady improvement in _ American _ reception. VK’s also provide interesting Ds. SHORT-WAVE WANDERINGS.

How many listeners heard the final broadcast on the evening of July 12? At 9.15 the N.B.C. stations came on tho air, W2XAF being the strongest at RB, with WIXK and W3XL at R 6. Readers are already aware of what occurred when the preparations were almost completed—the cloud of talcum powder spraying into the air as the helium poured from out tho torn balloon—and the work of months was wiped out in a moment. The two pilots, several engineers, as well as members of the ground staff were brought to the mike during the evening. It is a great pity that the flight had to be postponed, as reception was excellent that night. Some listeners have requested information regarding a “ new ” Australian, VTZ3. This is the commercial phono oflll of VK3ME. VIZ 3is operating on 11,490 k.e. (approximately 26 metres), and has been heard about 5.30 p.m. and 11 p.m. ' GOOD, Havana (48.95 metres), is heard until 4.30 p.m., and at times English is heard over this Cuban. HI4D, Santo Domingo (46.25 metres), has been testing during the late afternoons.

Yet another new Central American has appeared since tho last notes were written. This is TI2CT, located in San Jose, Costa Rica, and operates on 47.3 metres. At present this station is testing during the afternoons, and is coming in at good strength. New frequencies, are being tested for the Monday afternoon broadcasts from Geneva. These are 26.35 metres HBO, and 20.64 metres HBJ, the former being heard this week at local volume, while the 20-metro station was very weak and unreadable. VPD, Suva, is still at much the same volume—R5 —and is subject to severe distortion. The usual Americans are still at good strength, find W3XAL, Boundbrook, 49.18 metres, is transmitting until 3.30 p.m., but is not at good volume at that hour. LATEST LICENSE FIGURES SATISFACTORY PERCENTAGE IN DOMINION If license figures can bo looked upon as a fair barometer of the popularity or otherwise of a broadcasting system, tho conclusion may be reached that the New Zealand policy is meeting with approval. In all there arc 157,500 licenses in force in the Dominion, and on the basis that there are four listeners to every license, close on three-quarters of a million people comprise the listening public. This means that approximately half the population is not availing itself of the pleasure of wireless entertainment, but on the other hand, it is a feather in the cap of the New Zealand Broadcasting Hoard that it has attracted such a large total in the space of onlv a few rears.

No country has reached saturation point, or for that matter is ever likely to, hut there are some with a much higher percentage of listeners than New Zealand. However, the figures in this country have passed the creeping stage and are increasing in big strides, and by the time they have multiplied by two, saturation point will probably be in sight. At March 31 last the district totals were Auckland, 48,142; Wellington. 58,955 ; Canterbury, 28,701; _ Otago. 21,710. These figures show an increase of approximately 35,000 over the corresponding period last year. Broad casting licences were reduced by one to a total of 24. and there was an increase of 61 in the number of dealers’ licenses. Teacher: “What part of speech is ‘crooning’?” Bright Boy: “It’s not a part of speech; it’s a wail.”

of Empire communications on tho whole, there will be an extension of these reciprocal programmes. The Christmas Day broadcasts of 1932, 1933, and 1934, and the Jubilee broadcast on May 6 last, all terminating in messages by His Majesty the King to the people of the Empire, fully demonstrated the manner m which the British 'Commonwealth of Nations can be linked through the medium of broadcasting. Overseas relays have already taken place from all of the dominions with which telephonic communication has been established. Finally I must thank the large body of listeners throughout the world who have so kindly written to us with regard to our programmes. Their letters have been most welcome and have proved the greatest of help in our work. The Empire programmes are very largely planned with our minds on an analysis which is made periodically of the many thou,sands of letters which we receive from our listeners overseas.

“TAKEN BULL BY THE HORNS” CLEANING UP AMERICAN PROGRAMMES Whenever the American radio system of broadcasting is attacked (says the ‘ New’ York Times ’) somebody always jumps to his feet to exclaim that the American plan, unhampered by many strict rules, as in foreign lands, is as free as the trees in a March gale to be ’pruned naturally by the winds of public opinion. The hopes and dreams of mothers’ clubs, radio clinics, and countless listen- • ers came nearer realisation with the recent announcement that the Columbia Broadcasting System had “ taken the bull by the horns,” and will curb commercial announcements and cleanse children’s programmes of blood-and-thunder elements. New’ policies are formulated to put an end to programmes “ involving unpleasant discussions of bodily functions, bodily symptoms, or other matters similarly infringing on good taste.’’ The crusaders revel in the victory. They say it marks the beginning of a new era in broadcasting. The next step, they predict, will be improvement in the quality of programmes. Mindful that there “ devolves upon the broadcaster and the programme sponsor an ever greater responsibility,” the Columbia System has adopted a plan the three corners of which follow :—•

1. Effective July 30, a maximum of 10 per cent, of the total broadcasting period may be devoted to the sponsor’s commercial announcements after 6 p.m. During the daytime sponsored programmes will be allowed a maximum of 15 per cent, of the total broadcast period for commercial announcements. A single exception to these ratios will be made on quarter-hour programmes, on which an additional allow’ance not to exceed 40 seconds will be made in recognition of the fact that the short programme necessarily requires as much time as the longer one for routine identification announcements.

2. A new standard is to be set in children’s programmes by prohibiting entirely certain types of treatments specified under eight different headings. The exalting as modern heroes of gangsters, criminals, and racketeers will not be allowed.

Disrespect for either parental or other proper authority must not be glorified or encouraged. Cruelty, greed, and selfishness must not be presented as worthy motivations.

Programmes that arouse harmful nervous reactions in the child must not be presented.

Conceit, smugness, or an unwarranted sense of superiority over others less fortunate may not be presented as laudable. Recklessness and abandon must not be falsely identified with a healthy spirit of adventure. Unfair exploitation of others for personal gain must not be made praiseworthy. Dishonesty and deceit are not to be made appealing or attractive to the child.

3. It iias been concluded by the Columbia Broadcasting System to permit no broadcasting for any product which describes graphically or repellently any internal bodily functions, symptomatic results of internal disturbances, or matters which are generally _ not considered acceptable topics in social groups. N.B.C.’s “ STANDARD OF ETHICS.” In a preface to its programme policies, the National Broadcasting Company points out that radio derives its value from listeners’ enjoyment of programmes. Anything that mars or impairs their confidence reacts unfavourably on the art. Broadcasters realise that they are required by law to servo public interest, convenience, and necessity. Public interest has _ been held by the courts to mean service to the listeners, and that is interpreted by the showmen as “good programmes.” If broadcasts are objectionable, and stations do not correct the error of their ways, then the Federal Communications Commission has the power to cancel the license. . Calling attention to the fact that two characteristics—the intimate, pervmal nature of broadcasting, the wide range and joint listening of its audience—primarily determine what may be properly put on the air, the National Broadcasting Company, in January, 1934, adopted these requirements to maintain a standard of ethics; —

The use of the Deity’s name is acceptable only when used reverently or as part of a standard classic work. Statements or suggestions which are offensive to religions views, facial traits, and the like must be avoided. False or questionable statements and all other forms of misrepresentation must be eliminated. Obscene and off-colour songs or jokes, oaths, sacrilegious expressions, and all other language of doubtful propriety must bo eliminated. Testimonials must reflect the genuine experience or opinion of a competent witness.

Statements of prices and values must be confined to specific facts. Misleading price claims or comparisons must not be used.

As a safeguard against misuse of broadcasting facilities for unfair, competition, commercial programmes shall not refer to any competitor, directly or indirectly, by company name, by individual name, or by brand nameregardless of whether such reference is derogatory or laudatory. AMATEUR ACTIVITIES ‘ Capacity ’ was the' subject of Mr Collett’s lecture this week. He dealt very fully and clearly with it, and his remarks must have been of immense hell) to the beginners. Mr Skinner hopes to face the R.I. for his amateur ticket shortly. Another new member was enrolled in the Morse class. Following instructions from the 0,C.. all radio emergency corjls are now endeavouring to have at least one of their stations in each centre on the air on Tuesday and Thursday nights. The object is to give practice in traffic handling. The local 11.E.C. have been doing their part enthusiastically. The lack of QRM on the 11.E.C, band is apparently a welcome change. 4AS is building a Jones exciter at present. This will probably be the first in Dunedin. 4GZ is using his new crystal now In the next ‘ Radio Times ’ a set of interest to Hams will be described. It uses a regenerative R.F. stage and then a regenerative detector. This is really the same idea as the regenerative pre-selectors that have been demonstrated to members recently. In ‘ Radio ’ a 100-watt transmitter using the Jones exciter and throe 210’s in the final is described. The ‘ Amateur’s Handbook ’ will shortly be produced for the first time. This null be awaited with interest by many amateurs.

MEASURING A NERVE IMPULSE Apparatus so sensitive that it can measure a nerve impulse has recently been evolved. In effect it is a “ thought reader it responds to messages transmitted by the brain (says a London paper). This is the latest evidence of a silent revolution in medicine and surgery brought about by electricity, radio, and its by-products. The cathode ray tube, fainiiiar in television, is the principal feature of this particular apparatus, which has been developed by the Marconi Company. It is expected to provide a key to certain nervous complaints. Reports of foreign experiments in the application of ultra-short waves to medical work have tended to obscure the research that has been going on in this country for three years. Most London hospitals are now using the new electro surgery, which dispenses with the knife and tends to reduce haemorrhage. It is already being used for major operations and amputations, and I understand that it will shortly bo employed in extremely delicate brain and eye operations. A wave length of about 100 metres is used for this surgery. For the ultrashort wave therapy, as it is called, w'ave lengths between 2.5 and 8 metres and a power of several hundred watts are used.

Research is now proceeding in the direction of using shorter wave lengths and increasing the power in order to improve the results in the treatment of arthritis, sciatica, and similar complaints. Another important line of research has been in determining the effect of the ultra-short waves on bacteria. It has been found possible to sterilise milk and to destroy pests in wheat.

In the past few months leading London surgeons and the medical profession as a whole have begun to adopt electrosurgery and ultra-short wave therapy to a far greater extent than ever before. Improved valve technique has been largely responsible for the rapid strides in the new science. TELEVISION ON THE GRAMOPHONE Special gramophone records to produce television pictures will shortly be available. Both sound and vision are recorded on the one record by using a double track. When the record is played with an electrical pick-up attached to a television set, the televised picture is reproduced. In the latest sound-and-vision sets special provision has been made to connect this electrical pick-up from the gramophone. Soon, therefore, the public will be able to have television programmes in their homes at any time of the day.