RADIO BROADCASTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24632, 13 June 1941, Page 7

RADIO BROADCASTING

ro THE EDITOR Sir,—As one of those fortunate people who are not entirely dependent upon the radio for thought stimulus and entertainment, I have probably little reason for entering the controversy of “ Dignity versus Breeziness." On the other hand, a small feeling of gratitude compels me to admit that there have been times when I have turned with relief from the stiffness of a Y.A. announcer to the informality of a Z.B, station. I admit that there is sometimes announcing that iars, and that even a good announcer has lapses. But to balance this there are times when 1 swear X can detect distaste in the tone of a Y.A. announcer when a record does not rise to a certain intellectual level, and I have a strong impression that he removes that record with long-handled tongs and with a peg on his nose! * Pater ” objects to the free use of Christian names, though he is capable of using them rather unchivalrously himself. This fault is probably due to the deplorable lack of titles in the English language. Mr, Mrs and Miss do not fill every requirement. Announcer Jones and Announcer Smith are hardly satisfactory, and I feel sure “ Pater" would be the first to object to the use of “ Comrade." There are endless possibilities. Dignity is beautiful when produced by simplicity, consideration and kindness: but dignity for its own sake can be as painful as breeziness that arises, not from a Jovelike benevolence and exuberation, but from insincerity or a desire for effect.— I am, etc., Jenks. Dunedin, June 12,

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—There have lately been numerous letters criticising the 4ZB announcers. Are these writers getting to the root of the trouble? Often it is poor stuff these announcers have to work on, and it would take a superman to make good hearing out of such Inferior matter. I do not know who Is responsible for the competitions, and for the " Merry-go-round session on Sunday nights, but they savour of the guessing competitions at a child’s party. They appear to be merely got up “to pass the time.” May I suggest a worth-while reform in these programmes? Has the time not arrived (when so many are dissatisfied), for the public to hear the local talent promised them by the late Prime Minister? Is it not public motley that keeps these stations going? If so, the public have a right to hear their own local talent, especially • when so many are complaining of the present programmes. As a suggestion, could there not be a competition for a New Zealand patriotic song, one specially applicable to New Zealand? The public could hear each one sung over the air by a good singer, paid so much for the rendering of each song, and could decide which song should get first prize. Surely this Is true democracy. A song of the people, for the people, and judged by the people.—l am, etc., Dunedin. June 12. ' Democracy.

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —I would suggest that “Pater” and others turn the knob on their radio sets and thus remove at once and effectually the cause of their complaints. Otherwise they will only make it plain to all that they cannot resist the temptation to listen to the offending station; and this would urely be a sincere, though unwitting, compliment to the 4ZB announcers, whose so-tempting fare they would feign renounce forever, but cannot.—l am, etc., Dunedin, June 11, 1941. Dad. TO THE EDITOR Sir,—The caustic remarks of self-con-stituted broadcast critics display the extreme degree of shallow thinking. " Disgusted ” dislikes the resonant articulation of the 2YA announcer, and his artistic soul yearns for the Australian accent in preference to our own. As neither the Australian nor New Zealand speech is paterned to his apparent conception of the King’s ■ English he should appeal for an Australasian station, where the livestock reports will describe “ Romneys ” as “ Rumneys,” and other .sessions hybridise enunciation between the. Oxford and Cambridge ideals. Relating to 4ZB, “ Mum and Dad,” at least, unwittingly focus public attention on the quality of apples available. “ Pater II,” expressing paternal concern for orchardists, advocates postal advertising, but overlooks the axiomatic truth that air is a cheaper advertising medium than paper at present. “ The Rip ” is peeved also. He finds 'ZB apples distasteful. A course of the apple variety called “ Democrat ” should improve his autocratic views. His "Granny Smith” outlook’about the;,democratic usage of Christian names is just not typically colonial. He demands entertainment, but fails to realise that the normal decorum observed by public servants in other walks of life would hardly be entertaining. All in all, he has the pip, and nothing short of a television service displaying such choice species as ’’lrish Peach ” or "Beauty of Bath.” for instance, can ever miake amends. Finally, a patent medicine evolved and advertised for the minds of those who find in the staff’s behaviour subject matter " bordering on the indelicate " might be advantageous.—l am, etc., June 10. Up-couutry Listener.

TO THE EDITOR v .V, Sir,—During the last five years radio programmes have been steadily deteriorating. From time to time protests have been made through the press. No doubt tlie matter has also been brought to the notice of the station directors. Probably complaint has-gone even higher. To date every effort to stop the drift has failed. In every sense the ZB stations are the worst offenders. It is difficult to understand the indifferent attitude of advertisers to the manner in which the ZB announcers introduce their subject matter. One is, almost forced to the opinion that the sponsors and the officials both lose sight of the fact that there are still people of refinement and musical sensitivity in this country. They have also probably forgotten that the people of 1 New Zealand-, continue to differ in political colour. They should recall both facts. It might gltie sponsors some food for real thought and an urge to action to be told that the manner in which sponsored programmes 'are conducted is a cause of irritation to thousands of those whom they seek to reach. The long and short of the matter is this —a sweeping change in the quality of music, the subject matter and the general tone of the sessions is an immediate and urgent necessity. It goes further and deeper than the matter of irritation to the refined sections of the listeners. Changes and modifications are necessary to check the demoralising effects of cheap and sloppy music upon adolescents. The familiar interchanges between membex-s of station staffs and the stupid, vulgar sayings of announcers constitute a very real and damaging influence upon children. Children are ever ready to copy, and the utter lack of respect that brings men and women who are civil servants to address each other by Christian names points the way to children to do and grow devoid of all respect for elders and for those whose stations in life will later demand respect from them. Before all else, and that calling for first and overdue attention, is the " crooner.” He is an unhealthy manifestation. His songs constitute a menace to the morale of those who hear them. People with a balanced mentality, clean-minded, and those with musical sensitiveness are rendered psychologically sick by the sloppyslobbery effusions of the " crooner." One was inclined to pity the “ crooner ” at first, but pity has long since dried up. Probably it was wasted in any case, for one is brought to believe that these people are well satisfied with themselves. It must be conceded that songs of tills type find a welcome among a certain class of adolescent. One can easily pick the croon-fan in the street. This Dominion has always been ready to adopt the worst in literature and music from U.S.A. It is not too much to say that (he “ crooner ” should be excised from all programmes. I am. etc., 461. Dunedin. June 9TO THE EDITOR Sir, —Like “ Pater,” I have, in deference to younger members of the family, been more or less obliged to listeix in to the Government advertising station, although dissatisfied and annoyed with the method of broadcasting used by some of the announcers. I have hitherto refrained from writing to the newspapex-s. However, the reaction of the announcers to the letter by “ Pater ” so roused my ire that I can refrain no longer from adding to the protests recently expressed in your columns Impertinence from employees would not be tolerated in any business firm, so why should these announcers, who are servants of the public, be a law unto themselves? I understand some religious bodies have a scheme whereby their clergy are shifted every few years and thereby the risk of boring the public is obviated Could not some such method be introduced into this broadcasting station? Either this or an improvement in the method of broadcasting is long overdue I am sui'e the public is heartily tired of the free and easy style; and of the familiar method of address adopted by announcers. I should imagine that the majority of advertisers are absentee firms, otherwise I am sure that the proprietors would realise that the method of some of the announcers is inimical to their interests. — I am, etc., Business Man. Dunedin. June 11.

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—l. have been a constant reader of vour paper for many years and have never written to you before, but I feel justified in doing so. after reading the petty remarks about 4ZB announcers. The announcer in the “ Children's Hour ” has been kindness itself to my crippled girl, and it is one of the happy hours in her life. It would require a superhuman person to arrange a programme to suit all tastes, and although I don’t care for all the features presented, I am of the opinion that 4ZB suits the people of average intelligence, and as they are in the majority why criticise it and the announcers who do their best?—l am, etc.. Live and Let Live. Dunedin. June 12.