THE “BRAINS TRUST”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26748, 17 April 1948, Page 9

THE “BRAINS TRUST”

Sir, —I have this minute switched off my wireless, fuming and indignant at the first pathetic attempt of Station ■ 4YA to' produce a "Brains Trust” session. What a wasted opportunity to establish in its rightful sense the most constructive and thought-provoking wireless programme in this intellectual desert which is ours. Those who submitted their questions are beyond reproach. Every person of whatever standard of intellect should be encouraged to exert that intellect and submit what they consider to be a constructive question. It then behoves the " Brains ” staff at 4YA to sift these questions and choose those of a substance befitting the mental capacity of the “ Brains Trust ” group. In this first session, with its very rare opportunity of hearing great minds at work, what do we get? A group of questions consisting, with perhaps two exceptions, of the most irrelevant bunkum. The trend of things generally in our country is toward mediocrity and lower. God forbid that this trend be also forced on our intellect. If such is the case, there can be no hope. . Can it be possible that we, in this critical and complex period of world affairs, grasp at the opportunity to have Lord Beveridge enlighten us about the effect of the " New Look ” on our women? As to the question, “ Could there be a genius like Shakespeare in New ZG^ _ will answer that one, which Lord Bevet idge so politely refrained from domg. The way we are going, No, no, a times no!’—l am, etc., upwards. Central Otago.