RADIO AND RELIGION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19916, 9 April 1928, Page 11

RADIO AND RELIGION.

DENOMINATIONAL ASPECT. PROBLEM IN NEW ZEALAND. SYSTEM IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

In British countries religion forms a definite part of the average Sunday wireless broadcast programme. Dh ine service in its various forms has its thousands of listeners, especially among country people, who have few opportunities of hearing a, city preacher or a v ell-trained choir. Votes of listeners on the popularity or otherwise of programmes nearly always place church services high in order of preference. To arrange religious broadcasts in such a way as to satisfy all denominations is not an easy matter, and the minor controversy that has developed in Auckland is only an echo of others elsewhere in the past. The difficulty lies in deciding what proportion of the available broadcasting time shall be given to the different religious bodies. What complicates it is that four denominations, taking the New Zealand figures, embrace over 90 per cent, of the population as nominal adherents. Certain of the smaller bodies, on the other hand, are much in the public eye, have able preachers, and wield a much greater influence than might be inferred from their size. The Figures lor 1926. According to the 1926 New Zealand census, of those persons who stated their religious belief, 553,992, or 43.45 per cent., belonged to the Church of England; 330,598, or 25.93 per cent., were Presbyterians; 173,332, or 13.6 per cent., were Roman Catholics; and 121,268, or 9.51 per cent., were Methodists. Next in order were Baptists, 21,959, or 1.72 per cent.; Brethren, 12,939, or 1.01 per cent.; Salvation Army, 12,341, or 0.97 per cent. ;; Church of Christ, 7985, or 0.63 per cent.; and Congregationalisms, 7281, or 0.57 per cent. No other denomination, Christian or otherwise, could muster 3000 adherents or more than one-fourth per cent, of the total.

Not included in the computation wore 62,567 persons who availed themselves of the right to object to stating their reljgious belief. The number who so objected at the 1921 census was much less, namely, 38,591. No doubt the disparity between the large and small denominations would be less if regular church attendances could be computed. Position in Australia. The Broadcasting Company's policy of dealing with various denominations on terms of equality does not seem to be in line with the practice outside New Zealand, although apparently in Australia as a whole no attempt is made to keep to the census figures in allotting broadcasting hours. A survey of one recent Sunday's programmes suggests that in most States a compromise is made. Out of 17 services in the six capitals, five were Methodist, four Anglican, and. two each Presbyterian and Congregationalist. The Baptists, Church of Christ and International Bible Students' Association were allotted one each, and one was an undenominational service from the studio. In Brisbane the census basis is said to be strictly observed, with few objections. One point worthy of note is that in New Zealand the Roman Catholic Church has so far held aloof from broadcasting, though its position as the third largest denomination would give it a just claim to a fairly liberal share of the time available. In Australia Roman Catholic services are broadcast from time to time. It was announced lately that one Sydney station would be taken over for the purpose of broadcasting ceremonies at the coming Eucharistic Congress, and it is generally expected that, the church will operate the same station after the congress is over. The Theosophical Society has led the way by erecting a station of its own in Sydney. The Anglican Station.

The scheme for establishing an Anglican double-wave station in Auckland is still in the incubation stage, although the Post Office has granted a provisional permit. A meeting of all interested will be held next montn, when the whole matter will be reviewed. The proposal is not favoured by the Broadcasting Company, for reasons which if. has stated.

In Britain religious broadcasting is under an advisory committee, and there appear to be no complaints. The London station, 2LO, begins each week-day programme at 10 a.m. with a religious service of 15 minutes' duration from the studio. There is a short Scripture reading early each Sunday evening, and at least one evening service is relayed or held in the studio. The various provincial. stations either re-broadcast the London service or provide morning or evening services of their own by local relays. On the Continent of Europe Sunday radio services appear to be at a discount, except in Norway, Sweden. Denmark and some parts of Germany. Generally the Sunday programmes are much the same as those sent out on week-days.