RADIO

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1931, Page 15 (Supplement)

RADIO

COST OF RADIO SETS APPEAL MADE AGAINST DUTY. DEVELOPMENTS OF WIRELESS. (By 8.C.L.) It is understood the radio trade recently made representations to the Government to have the import duty on American radio sets reduced. The duty at present amounts to about 43 per cent., which makes a really good receiver rather an expensive item. The Postmaster-General, ih replying to the representations, stated that the object of the present duties was to give preference to Empire products, and to afford a measure of protection to local industry. There is no disputing the fact that American sets are the most suitable ■ for New Zealand conditions, while at the same time are better value for the money invested. The English manufacturer is notoriously conservative and even the latest type of jeceiver falls far short of what the present-day listener asks for and expects. Until the British manufacturer realises that he is not going to enjoy the fruits of a good overseas market until his product meets with the approval of users, so will our money go to America.

There is little doubt that the £1 per horse-power tax in Britain killed the overseas trade of the British motor manufacturer; in the same degree the 12s 6d a valve royalty has spoilt the radio market. The persistent use of reaction to bolster up a set starving for valves may be all right from an efficiency point of view, but it is not good for popularising radio. On the other hand, there is no reason why New Zealand cannot manufacture the major portion of the country’s radio requirements. In Australia the radio business is in a very flourishing condition, factories working double shifts to cope with the demand, simply because radio was made a prohibited import, and coupled with the fact that the manufacturers are turning out the class of set that the listener demands. NEW ZEALAND-MADE SET. It is understood that shortly a New Zealand-made set is to appear on the market that will more than hold its own with the imported article, including price. Some of the earlier attempts at receiver manufacture in this country were not very successful, the main reason being that the job was tackled the wrong way. Profiting by the mistakes of others and with first-hand knowledge of what is required the new venture should be assured of success from the outset. It is indeed gratifying to know that there are in New Zealand engineers and business men with the knowledge and initiative to make a bid for our own market. We wish them every success and encouragement.

The lot of the. radio announcer is a varied one, and he has to be prepared for anything at a moment’s notice. Such was the fate of Mr. Clive Drummond of 2YA last Saturday night when a fire broke out a block down the street on the opposite side to the studio. Seizing the opportunity of giving listeners a broadcast out of the ordinary Mr. Drummond placed a microphone on the sloping ledge of the window-sill and by his leaning in an anything but comfortable attitude out of the window, listeners were given a graphic description of all that transpired. The fire was a very spectaculai one, as the writer who was present can testify and the action lent itself to dramatic description, a fact that Mr. Drummond was quick to avail himself of. His description must certainly have kept many thousands of listeners in keen anticipation and excitement. Perhaps Mr. Drummond did not feel at all excited next morning .hen he awoke to feel the effects of leaning on his 'side on a stone window-sill for nearly two hours on a cold night with a howling gale blowing, but that is a side of the story that does not occur to the listener, for such is radio. FUTURE CONTROL. Though everyone is awaiting some pronouncement from the PostmasterGeneral regarding the future control of broadcasting, the general impression in Wellington seems to be that the R.B.C. will be granted a renewal of its present license. With but a very few exceptions listeners and dealers alike seem to be in favour of the present company being granted a renewal. - The Denniston Radio Society, at a special meeting held on Tuesday evening, July 11, carried the following resolution unanimously: “That this society, in common with other radio societies in New Zealand, is in favour of the present system of broadcasting remaining, with the proviso that a committee be set up of representatives of the Government, listeners, and dealers to work in conjunction with the present company, and that this be a. recommendation to the Buller District Society for its support.” The next few years will see greater advances in radio than those to date, is the opinion of Mr. David Cody, director of the Charles Haines Advertising Agency, Ltd., who has just returned from a four months’ business visit to the United States and Canada.

“I was privileged,” lie told a Dominion reporter, “to attend a countryside radio trade exhibition in Chicago and to see what the industry is doing in the way of improvement. One of the latest developments is the mass production of radios for motor-cars—special radios that will be properly built in and concealed. Already fourteen leading makes of cars are factory equipped with a radio aerial. Home radios are in infinitely more general use in the United States than in New Zealand.

“At the Chicago exhibition 1 saw a television camera, and was interested to hear the comment of leaders in the radio industry, several of whom think that next year will see a tangible realisation of the invention. Some television sets are already in operation, but the business is still in the chrysalis state. In New York" I went through the National Broadcasting Studios. T was greatly impressed by the splendid English spoken by the various announcers.” Last Saturday night at 10.31 a New Plymouth listener listened to a. conversation between Catty and Post, who recently flew round the world, and Sir Keith Smith. Gatty was in New York and Sir Keith Smith in Sydney. The re-broadeast was from 2BL and every word of both sides of the conversation could be heard. Sir Keith conveyed Australia's congratulations to Gatty, who is a Tasmanian, and his companion. He then discussed various features of the flight and the conditions met with. The radio telephone has indeed made the world a very small place, and it is cases such a# this that bring it home most forcibty to the listener.

TRANSMITTERS’ CONTEST. DETAILS OF THE COMPETITION A message-handling contest between Australian and New Zealand amateurs in connection with the Maclurcan Cup competition, which is held every six months by the New South Wales division of the Wireless Institute of Australia, will be conducted from Saturday to August 2. Details of the contest are: — Messages having a text of not fewer than 20 words plain language, and bearing a serial number consisting, of two numerals, are to be originated .by each participating New South Wales station and transmited direct to any New Zealand amateur. When the message is received the New Zealand amateur composes a 20-word reply and sends it back to any other New South Wales station. Only one reply message may be sent to each New South Wales transmitter at one Q. 5.0., but a New Zealand station may send a reply to any other message to the station previously contacted, provided that the Q.S.O. does not occur on the same day, reckoning Sydney mean time, as the previous message was taken. That is, not more than one message a day may be taken or sent to the same station from either side.

The 3500 k.c. band only is to be used, and there is no .power Emit. Phone or c.w. may be used at either end. Of the nine days each New South Wales station may operate on six pre-arranged days only, but New Zealand stations may operate on each day of the contest. For New South Wales, amateurs one point. is scored for each message originated and one point for each reply message received. For New Zealand amateurs one point is scored for each message that is received --id a reply message sent back to ?. New South Wales station. It is not necessary for New Zealand amateurs to forward any logs or entry forms as the reply messages bearing the correct serial number are used for arriving at the scores. It is, therefore, very necessary that every message originated is replied to, as, unless it is received back, no pointe can be counted. RECEPTION IN NELSON. '•WORST PLACE FOR STATIC.” At the annual meeting of the Nelson Radio Club a discussion arose on the geographic position of Nelson with regard to wireless receptiop from Wellington. It was pointed out that experts had stated that Nelson was the worst place for static in New Zealand. ■ It was decided that the Government be asked to renew the license of the New Zealand Broadcasting Company with the provision that it should establish relay stations in various centres, including Nelson, and in view of the expression of expert opinion that Nelson is so unfavourably placed for reception it should have first consideration when the establishmc'nt of these stations is being decided upon. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES NEW ZEALAND STATIONS. 2YB NEW PLYMOUTH. 2.45 to 4.45.—-Selected programme of recorded items supplied by a local listener. 6;30 to 7.30. —Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Ted. 7.30 to 8 p.m. —Sports and information session. 8 to 10 p.m.—Concert programme of gramophone and Player-piano records arranged by Messrs. H. Nimmo and Sons. IYA, Auckland. Afternoon session.—3.o, description of Rugby football match from Eden Park; 5.0, 'children’s session; 6.0, dinner music; 7.0, news and market reports. Evening session.—B.o, relay of Municipal Band Concert from the Auckland Town Hall, under the conductorship of Mr. George Buckley; march, Band; cornet dupt, Messrs. F. Bowes and J. Davies; fantasia. Band; clarinet, Mr. M. J. McGregor; symphonique suite, Band; waltzes, Band; piccolo, Mr. Hal C. McLennan; selection, Band; descriptive fantasia, Band; xylophone, Mr. Roland Jackson; march, Band; 10.0, programme of dance music; 11.0, sporting results; 11.10, God Save the King. 2YA, Wellington. _ Afternoon session.—3.o,. description of Rugby football match from Athletic Park; 5.0, children's session; 6.0, dinner music; 7.0, news, market reports and sports results; 7.10, lecturette, Mr. Quentin Pope, “The Future of New Zealand.’’

Evening session.—B p.m., overture, Berlin State Opera Orchestra; baritone, Mr. W E. Crewes, with orchestral accompaniment; humour, Mr. F. W. Bark? er; suite, Salon Orchestra; contralto, Mrs. E. Crawford; novelty trio, Messrs. Lad Haywood, Chas. Lees and Jeff Jones; Florrie Ford and Chorus; suite, Salon Orchestra;, weather report and station notices; baritone, Mr. W. E. Crewes, with orchestral accompaniment; selection, Black Diamonds Band; humour, Mr. I*’. W. Barker; descriptive, Salon Orchestra; ballet dance; contralto, Mrs. E. Crawford; novelty trio, Messrs. Lad Haywood, Chas. Lees and Jeff Jones; male choir, Westminster Glee Singers; characteristic, Salon Orchestra; 10.0, dance music programme; 11.0, sporting summary; 11.10, God Save the King. 3 YA, Christchurch.

Afternoon session.—3.o, description of Rugby league football from Monica Park; 5.0, children’s hour; 6.0, dinner music; 7.0, news; 7.30, sports results. Evening session.—B p.m., overture, Great Symphony Orchestra; tenor, Mr. W. Harold Prescott, with orchestral accompaniment; humour in song and story, Mr. George Titchener; banjo, Ernest Jones; march, Studio Octet; contralto, Mrs. F. Nelson Kerr, with orchestral accompaniment; accordion, Morceau; sketch, The Mascots; chorus, Salon Group; weather forecast and station notices; selection, Studio Octet; tenor, Mr. W. Harold Prescott, with orchestral accompaniment; Balalaika Orchestra; humour in song and story, Mr. George Titchener; foxtrots, Studio Octet; contralto, Mrs. F. Nelson Kerr, with orchestral accompaniment; sketch. The Mascots; 10.0, dance music; 11.0. God Save the King. 4YA, Dunedin.

Afternoon session.—3 p.m., selected recordings; 5, children’s hour; 6, dinner music*; 7, news. Evening session.—B.o, relay of vaudeville programme from 3YA, Christchurch; 10.0, dance session; 11.0, God Save the King.

TOMORROWS PROGRAMME. 2YB New Plymouth, 6 p.m, to 6.45 p.m. —Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Jonathan, assisted by children from Upper Westown Sunday School. 7 p.m. —Relay of evening service from Baptist Church. Preacher; Rev. F. A. Parry. Anthems, “King of Kings” and “Son of My Soul.” Solo, Mr. Arthur Slinger. 8.15 to 10 p.m. —Concert from studio: Orchestral selections from “Peer Gynt Suite”; baritone solo, Mr. Baden Bellringer; Sea shanties, “Rio Grande, ’ “Billy Boy,” “Shenandoah”; male quartette by the Melody Four; band selection, “Marche Lorraine”; soprano solo, Miss Avis Pauli; vocal duet, Messrs. A. B. Macdonald and F. Hooker; Wurlitzer organ, “Chanson”; tenor solo, Mr. W. P. Okey; contralto solo, “The Rosary”; bass solo, Air. A. B. Macdonald; ’cello solo, “The Gentle Maiden’’; bassbaritone solo, “Drake’s Drum”; male quartette by the Melody Four; string ensemble, “Evening Song”; baritone solo, Mr. Baden Bellringer; contralto solo. “Caller Herrin”; Wurlitzer organ, “Love’s Garden of Roses”; soprano solo, Miss Avis Pauli; duet. Messrs. A. B. Macdonald and W. P. Okey; bass-bari-tone solos, “Less Than the Dust” and “The Temple Bells”; string ensemble playing, “Traunierei”; bass solo, Mr. A. B. Macdonald; ’cello solo, “Rococo”; contralto, “Five Little piccannies”; male quartette, the Melody Four; bass-bari-tone solo, “Outward Bound”; contralto solo. “A Perfect Day”; bass-baritone, “Asleep in the Deep.” IYA, Auckland. 3.0, chimes. Selected recordings and relay of portion of Organ Recital from the Town Hall by the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett; 6.0, children’s song service; 7.0, relay of divine service from the Beresford Street Congregational Church. Preacher, the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher; 8.30 (approx.), selection, Dajos Bela Orchestra; mezzo-soprano, Miss Hinemoa Rosieur; march, Orchestral Octet; baritone, Mr. Len Barnes; weather forecast and announcements; violin, Gustav Link; mezzo-soprano, Miss Hinemoa Rosieur; selections, Orchestral Octet; organ, Archer Gibson; baritone, Mr. Len Barnes; gavotte, Orchestral Octet; male choir, Don Cossacks; selection, Orchestral Octet; 10.0, God Save the King. 2YA, Wellington. 3.0, selected recordings; 6.0, children’s song service, assisted by the Children’s Choir from the Miramar Presbyterian Church; 7.0, relay of evening service from St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, Mulgrave Street, Wellington. Preacher, Canon, Percival James; 8.15 (approx.), relay of band recital by the Royal Naval Volunteer Band from the De Luxe Theatre; God Save the King. 3YA, Christchurch. 3.0, gramophone recital; 5.30, children’s song service by children from Presbyterian Sunday Schools; 6.30, relay of evening service from Knox Presbyterian Church, Bealey Avenue. Preacher, Rev. T. W. Armour; 7.45 (ap-' prox,), musical recordings from the studio; 8.15 (approx.), relay of programme from 4YA, Dunedin; 10.0, God Save the King. 4YA, Dunedin. 3.0, selected recordings; 5.30, children’s song service; 6.15, instrumental recordings; 6.45, relay of evening service from Salvation Army Citadel, Dowling Street, Dunedin. Preacher, Adjutant Tong; 8.15, concert by Dunedin Orphans’ Club. Orchestral Conductor, Orphan E. Kerr. Pianist, Orphan Thos. J. Kirk-Burnand; selection, Orchestra; solo and chorus, Members of the Club; baritone, Orphan Arthur Macdonald; French horn, Orphan H. Davey; violin, Efrem Zimbalist; duet, Orphans J. Davies and W. Ruffell; tenor, Orphan J. Davies; selection, Orchestra; bass-bari-tone, Orphan W. Dobby; weather report and station notices; organ, Reg. Foort; tenor, Orphan D. Foggarty; selection, Orchestra; chorus, Members df the Club; baritone, Orphan R. Duerdon; string quintet, Members of the Club’s Orchestra; bass, Orphan R. Bryant; trombone, Orphan D. Boyd; tenor, Orphan T. Bach; selection, Band of Coldstream Guards; 10.0 God Save the Kipg.