RADIO

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1932, Page 10

RADIO

dominion licenses increase.

There were more renewals of. radio licenses in the Dominion in April, the first month of this financial year, as compared with the number which expired on March 31, than ever before. Figures published showed renewals as 63,224, the number of expiring licensee being 74,741. Renewals in the first month of the new financial, year never equal the total of those which have expired, but this year’s decrease of 15.4 per cent, is the lowest on record. The decreases in the previous four years were: 1931, 26.6 per cent.; 1930, 26.7 per cent.; 1929, 19 per cent.; and 1928. 24 per cent. Even taking into account the fact that ‘'bad times are good , times” for radio the improved position is most gratifying. New licenses in the next 10 months may swell the total at the end of March, 1933, to even more than this year’s maximum figure of 74,741.

RADIO’S AID TO MUSIC.

Bciino Moisciwitsch, famous Russian pianist, stated recently in an interview that he considers broadcasting of great value in developing an appreciation of music, because of the immense audience it reaches —people who before had neither the opportunity nor the desire to- hear good music. Incidentally, ho spoke with enthusiasm of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s new orchestra. “Before the advent of broadcasting,” he said, “English orchestras were in an appalling condition; now England has a marvellous organisation in the 8.8. C., under Sir Henry Wood. Some years ago you could not compare the best London orchestra with some of those in the provinces, but to-day the 8.8. C. can be favourably compared with any of the irreatest orchestras on the Continent or Tn America.”

HOW BROADCASTING STARTED.

Our broadcasting service in this Dominion has recently been based upon the system that has been so outstandingly successful in England. Nevertheless it is probably correct that not many ot u<s have the slightest idea what it is that Jias made the 8.8. C. a model for the whole world. We take their reputation for granted. By the expenditure of a modest shilling or so and thanks to the labours of Sir Harry Brittain, it is now possible to purchase an intriguing little book, “The ABC of the 8.8. C.” (Messrs. C. Arthur Pearson), which explains in an extraordinarily interesting manner just what magic has been wrought by the Britisli Broadcasting Corporation. In this book will be found the concise story of how broadcasting started in England, how it was that Melba was persuaded to sing; why the original broadcasting company became, a corporation; and why it is that broadcasting in England now sets a standard second to none the world over.

Readers of Sir Harry Brittain’s book on the 8.8. C. cannot but fail to be impressed with tJie difficulties that beset the. delicate broadcasting youngster in England in the early days. With no precedent as guide, with crude instruments, unsuitable studios, lack of staff, and no training, it is indeed remarkable that broadcasting in England contrived to survive. This easily read book on the 8.8. C. takes one along from those early once-a-week programmes from Writtie, just after the war, until in due course we arrive in 1932, at that modern temple erected to the Ether called Broadcasting House. It is interesting to see that so great an authority as Sir Harry Brittain implicitly believes in the importance of Empire broadcasting. Nevertheless let us hope that the Dominions and colonies that are so soon destined to receive those programmes will be prepared voluntarily to bear a part of the cost at present borne by English listeners, who derive no benelits.

Our own broadeasting authorities as well as the public in general might well take steps to study the “A B C of the 8.8. C.” It is a booklet full of interesting'sidelights and facts.

SPARKS FROM THE ETHER. Telephonic communication was established on May 20 between the Imperial Airways liner Heracles, which was on a journey to Glasgow, and the famous Flying Scotsman of the LondonNorth Eastern Railway. The train was proceeding at a speed approaching 90 miles an °hour during its . wireless telephonic contact with the air liner, which swooped down from 3500 feet and circled round the Flying Scotsman while messages were exchanged. . A raid was made on unlicensed radio listeners last week in the Courts of Wellington, twelve businessmen and others being haled before the Court to explain their ■ possession of radio sets while not in possession of licenses. Various excuses were advanced fo explain the deficiency, the most common being a forgetful memory. The excuses did “not avail-, however, and penalties ranging from 10s to 30s were imposed in every case. Listeners everywhere should take warning. fronv these prosecutions, as it is apparent that the Post and Telegraph Department is fully on the alert° to . protect. the revenues of the Radio Broadcasting Board. ’ ... The' personnel of the new commission to control radio in Australia was announced during the week. The. , commission -ia to consist of. Mesrs. C. Lloyd Jones (chairman), Herbert Brookes (vice-chairman), R. 8.. Orchard, Professor B. Wallace, and Mrs. Couchman. This list shows that the example of Britain in utilising the services of women is being followed. One of the • five governors of the 8.8. C; is Viscountess Snowden. - .

COVERAGE COMMISSION RETURNS.

The two members of the Coverage Commission —Dr. M. A. F. Barnett, of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and Mr, A. Gibbs, chief telegraph engineer of the Post and .Telegraph Department—-have returned -fo Wellington after completing investigations in the South and North Islands. It is understood they have been; impressed with the difficulties, of obtaining reliable reception in riot a few,localities. Practically every doubtful spot has been visited by the commissioners. There can be no doubt that they will have considerable difficulty to suggest a complete cure for reception troubles in every part of the Dominion. It is understood. that the commissioners will be some little while preparing their report before they submit it to the Broadcasting Board. .•>-

Advertising in Australia.

The National. Broadcasting Company of America lias discovered that educational sessions have an attraction; and jazz inanities have been compelled to.retire a few steps. Departments have been formed within the company’s organisation to co-operate with recognised educational institutions . to form listening groups. This new departure is virtually an ambush in order that .advertisements may be fired at listeners with machine-gun effect. The big American concern does not descend to sharpshooting, having learnt that such tactics annihilate goodwill. Sharp-shooting is left to Australian B stations. When things were moving in the N.S.W. political world recently, this is. something like what came over from an Australian B station: “His Excellency Sir Philip Game sent for Mr. Lang to-day; and let me remind you that -at fourpenee a pound, Smith’s sausages are the best in town. Mr. Lang was informed that his instructions to flout theFederal law could not be condoned; and here I would put the men on to a good thing. Brown’s blucher boots at 12s per pair are wonderful bargains. Mr. Lang advised the Governor that he did not intend to withdraw his instruction; and, ladies, here is something for you: Casey’s ‘Calamity’ corsets, Australian-made and fit where they touch, are now selling foils 11 Id.” ' '

CURRENT TOPICS. Fred -Lucas, .ex-eaplain of the Auckland Rugby representatives, will be heard from IYA in a series of four talks, commencing to-night. Mark Nicholls will deliver a series from 2YA. Judging from the reports from listeners this winter : has so far given us as good conditions as possible, considering the local interference, for listening to distant stations.. Many listeners report that the Los Angeles stations are “sitting on their door, step”, in. a monotonously regular manner. Certainly it has been possible to' pick up at night all the main Australian stations almost as easily as the local station. Moreover, daylight reception has been possible in : I some°cases. ■ In many cases it has been possible, to hear many of the smaller fry i of Australia that for most of. tip year I are totally inaudible in tins country. ' Down in the .vicinity of 2.3o.meties or i thereabouts there is already evidence of. severe interference,, in the shape of heterodyne whistles and side, band jamming. As time goes on there is little doubt that interference is bound, to increase,* but it is doubtful if we will ever be driven to. the despair of listeners in Great Britain or the Continent.' _ The whole question of Sunday broadcasting deserves early review, it would be unwise policy to depart from the recognised custom relaying church services, but the provision.of an alternative is one that will* be requested, by quite a large section of the community, yuch provision new exists only to a very: limited degree# It’Should be extended, when the board conies to the question of co-ordinating. B station services. The filling in of the silent gap at IYA and. 2YA between 4.30 and 6 pmi. on Sundays is also' worth the attention, of the .board. .There is probably no time during the whole week when listening woukf fie'more popular'than this hour and a half; The B stations seem to recognise this,* but their range is limited. ,_AII those interested in football will be ' pleased to learn that steps have been taken by the broadcasting authorities to liilk up with Australia. in con- : nection, with the .All Blacks’ visit to that country. Arrangements have been made to broadcast in New • Zealand 1 through all the New Zealand YA stations a description of the matches played in Australia. Each transmitting station in New - Zealand will'pick'up the running commentary from the shortwave station at Sydney, This will be re-broadcast on the usual broadcast wave-lengths in this country by each station. No arrangements have been finalised as to the time of the transmission. It" is expected, however, tnat ’ the broadcast will start at approxi- ‘ mately 4.30 New "Zealand time. Judging by the success that has met other rebroadcasts from the short-wave station at Sydney, there is every prospect of excellent results.

Station 2YA’S new concert orchestra will broadcast for the first time on Monday night under the conductorship of Leon de Mauny. The personnel comprises..eighteen of Wellington’s leading instrujnentalists, and the combination will thus be the largest which has been engaged for regular performance at any New Zealand stattion. The Broadcasting Board’s action in forming this orchestra. -will be applauded by listeners, who, while appreciative of the good work done by the orchestras under Signor A. P. Truda and’Mr. M. T. Dixon, will welcome the considerably larger combination. Leon de Mauny needs no introduction to musical circles, either as a violinist or as a conductor. The success which has attended- the ■ Wellington Symphony Orchestra under his baton is well known, and listeners can expect the 2YA orchestra also to prove it very effective combination. Representations were made -to the Coverage Commission during its visit to Gisborne that the best YA station received there was 3YA. It is contended by one Gisborne observer that if the Christchurch plant is raised up to the power of 2YA it will give satisfactory service to Poverty Bay.

TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES

NEW ZEALAND STATIONS.

IYA, Auckland

Afternoon session: 12.15, selected recordings; 12.30, relay of mid-day service from St. Matthew’s Church; 12.50, close down; 3.0, selected recordings; 3.15, home science talk, “Fruit in the Winter Time”; 4.30, sporting results and close down; 5.0, children’s session; 6.0, dinner music; 7.0, news and reports; 7.30, W.E.A. session: H. C. Be-

croft, M:A., “Psychology To-day”— ‘■‘What is This Psychology?” - Evening session: 8.0, concert programme; 8.8. C. Wireless Symphony Orchestra; concert .by Jasper’s Merrymakers; Dajos Bela Orchestra; weather forecast and notices; 9,2,..reserved; Dajos Bela Orchestra; continuation of concert by Jasper’s Merrymakers;. Charles Anclifl’e and His Orchestra.

2YA, Wellington.

Morning session: 10.0, selected recordings; 10.30, devotional service; 10.45, lecturette, “Cooking”; 11.37, Iccturette. by a representative of the Health Department, ‘‘Health Hints’; 12.0, lunch music.

Afternoon session: 2.0,- selected recordings; 3.1'5, lecturette, Miss I. F. Meadows, “Fruit in the Winter Time”; 3.30 and 4.30, sporting results; 4.55, close down; 5.0, children; 6.0, dinner music; 7.0, news and reports; 7.30, W.E.A. session; Professor W. H. Gould, “Development and Education —The Second Seven Years.” Evening session: S.O, concert programme by the Port Nicholson Silver Band and 2YA artists; march, Baud; mezzo-soprano, Mrs. Belle Archer; novelty piano, M. T. Dixon; The Big Four; cornet. Bandmaster T. T. Goodall; mez-zo-soprano, Mrs. Belle Archer; Layton and Johnstone; trombone novelty, Band; weather report and station not-

ices; 9.2, reserved; novelty piano, M. T. Dixon; humour, Norman Long; selection, Band; choral, The National Chorus; potpourri, Band. 3YA, Christchurch.

Afternoon session: 3.0, gramophone recital; 3.15, home science talk, “Fruit in the Winter Time”; 5.0, children; 6.0, dinner music: 7.0, news and reports; 7.20, talk, A. Leslie, agricultural and pastoral talk, “Sheep Diseases.” Evening session: S.O, concert programme of recordings; 9.4, talk, G. Lawn, M.A., “Nationalism”; 9.19, recordings continued. 4YA, Dunedin. Silent day.