THE RADIO REGULATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21989, 26 June 1933, Page 10

THE RADIO REGULATIONS

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir—l think listcners-in will agree that Mr Peter Dawson’s address from 4YA should teach the New Zealand Broadcasting Board to be more careful m future regarding the subject and natuic of addresses given by visiting pioiessional artists. Mr Dawson s address was of little value from the point of view of musical interest, and of less interest as an address. His remarks wore nothing more or less than a glorified advertisement for a certain music teacher, and to a smaller extent tor another. Although at one stage of his address m was apparently stopped by the station announcer for a breach of regulations, he recommenced by saying that Ins rcinn Ks about the gentlemen concerned wefe only of a personal nature, thereby lUnttri'ing that they had no reference to their ability as teachers. He insisted, however m spite of the warning, in qualifying his earlier remarks by adding that in .aiy case “-Mi - did not require any advertisement.” etc. , It is astonishing to think that anal tist of such world-wide fame as Mr 1 etei Dawson should commit such a breach ot professional etiquette. In niy opiniou. world-famous or not, he has neither the right nor privilege that allows him to defy the radio regulations by advertising a certain singing teacher or pupil, as tne case may be. ... , t-„„ No doubt Mr Dawson did not realise that his remarks from 41A would be so unfavourably received, but it may be o interest to him to know that the spirit of fair play in listeners to his address asserted itself to the extent that practically all of them resented the nature ot his remarks. The unfair advantage which he tried to gain for one teacher, and to a smaller extent for a second teacher in Dunedin, was very distasteful, and in my opinion an apology is due by either the Broadcasting Board or Mr Dawson to all who listened-in, and also to many Dunedin musicians and tutors doing equally as good work as those who came under the ‘ most favoured nation ” clause during Mr Dawson’s address.

These remarks are made without bias, the writer being in no way connected with any Dunedin studio, but I am expressing a disinterested opinion.—l am. etc., Dunedin, June 25. Deceived.