RADIO PROGRAMMES

Southland Times, Issue 24533, 6 September 1941, Page 4

RADIO PROGRAMMES

There has recently been quite a lot of comment and newspaper reference to the “stuff’ put over the air by our local radio station. No wonder! We get far too much of this crooning twaddle and swing music. Not so very long ago our Government placed a highly educated gentleman at the head of radio affairs in New Zealand, who should be able to draw up much better programmes than we now get. If the present selections are the work of this “head,” then the sooner we get back to the old order—when stations selected their own programmes—the better. Away back, when Mr Parsons owned and operated the local station, his modest broadcasts were quite good. When we were told there was to be appointed a man in complete control, we looked forward to the time when we should have ideal programmes. What did we get? Playettes, “episodes” by the dozen, irritating jazz, swing, and crooning. Writing of crooning, I, see in the papers that Dr J. Lyon, of London, speaking at the Wellington Competitions festival, regards crooners as “the lowest form of life yet discovered.” Someone must be making a pot of money by getting their stuff thrust upon us by the ton. In one night we get a slice of as many as four different serials—perhaps 15 or 16 in a week. “Curtain Up” is poor, and surely Mr Frank

Beadle’s contribution has had its full share—and more. You may think, sir, that I am hard to please; but believe me, I am going by general opinion and observation made. Now, when the local station had a really good thing, they gave us but a niggardly 12 to 15 minutes once a week. I refer to the Rev. C. J. Tocker’s most interesting descriptive talks entitled “In Nature’s Byways.” That these were widely listened to and greatly enjoyed and appreciated was very evident by frequent references to them by the people in ordinary conversation. I hold no brief for Mr Tocker; but I do maintain that he knows his subject, and can handle it in a way that makes for alluring interest to both old and young. Surely we can have just a little more of these educative and enlightening talks on such charming subjects as Mr Tocker selects, and a little less of the jangle we get so much of. Our local announcer sometimes makes a comment in “Curtain Up,” giving the impression that he is an admirer of certain singers. I don’t believe him absolutely, it is probably all read from an accompanying commentary along with the “tinned” applause put over. This is not a growl. It is written simply to try and induce the powers that rule to give us a spell from a lot of rubbish dished up at times. When we have so much local talent available, why not use it? LISTENER.