NEWS BROADCASTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25802, 24 March 1945, Page 5

NEWS BROADCASTS

Sir, —This war is leaving In its wake sorrow, heart-breaking grief, and restrictions on individual freedom which try the nerves of the people beyond all understanding. Silent though these feelings may be, it is realised that all this strife and discomfort ■ are so very necessary if a lasting peace is to be won and the common enemy crushed beyond all doubt As a returned man of this war, I can find no greater source of relaxation from it all, under the conditions that prevail, than with the radio, but mostly I find upon tuning in expecting to be able tc listen to music or entertainment of some kind, that “ all stations are now linked to broadcast the news”—not once or twice, but nine times each day, representing about three hours’ transmission daily of the same thing. Why must the public be subjected to such unnecessary* boredom when, eager as it may be to get the latest from all fronts, twice daily at reasonable hours would suffice. It is not long since I returned to ” civvy street ” after doing my bit, and I find that, instead of the radio (the "easiest method of reaching the people) being used to give some enjoyment and relaxation from the every-day grind of war-time, it is used to force news broadcasts by the dozen into the people's homes. The very time they wish for music the news is on. I was prompted to write this because of the criticism I have heard Everyone is very well aware there is a war on, and they are not very likely to forget it when so much is at stake. No country in the world is doing, has done, and will continue to do in no small way more than our New Zealand. Use the radio to brighten .the path to victory, instead of boring people to tears. The National Broadcasting Service would learn much from the manner in which radio is used and conducted in other countries. May I say that no atmosphere of distaste is intended through this tetter, but do you not think that there is room for improvement?-! am^etc.