Welsh Journals

And shall that soul, to selfish peace resigned, So soon forget the woe its fellows share? Can Snowdon's Lethe from the free-born mind So soon the page of injured penury tear? Does this fine mass of human passion dare To sleep, unhonouring the patriot's fall, Or life's sweet load in quietude to bear While millions famish even in Luxury's hall, And Tyranny high raised stern lowers on all. No, Cambria! never may thy matchless vales A heart so false to hope and virtue shield; Nor ever may thy spirit breathing gales Waft freshness to the slaves who dare to yield. For me! the weapon that I burn to wield I seek amid thy rocks to ruin hurled, That Reason's flag may over Freedom's field, The Future of Broadcasting in Wales. By W. Powell, A.M.C.T. (Eng.). A GREAT change has taken place in Wales during the past century. From insignifi- cance we have risen to a position of import- ance not only in the life of the Empire but also the world at large. This change can be traced to two main factors-the rise of Noncon- formity followed by the improved elementary and Secondary Educational systems. The natural genius of the Welshman has been given fair play with the results we have seen. At the present time we are going through a critical period in our history. It is our duty therefore to see that the excellent work initiated by our forefathers is carried on. Bv this I do not mean that, as Welsh nationalists, we should go to extremes. It is essential however that we should aim at securing for the present and coming generation the means of developing their personality-in this way and this way only can Welshmen give maximum ser- vice to the World. We have a wealth of tra- dition to draw upon; we have political, cultural and moral ideals of which we may well be proud. We must, however, see that everything possible is done to attain our national aspirations. We live in an age of speed, an age of invention and development. It is only three years since the British Broadcasting Company was founded. At that time broadcasting was looked upon as an interesting experiment and we little realised its potential power. To-day we appreciate its enor- mous influence, an influence which will grow rapidly. It will eventually prove to be one of the greatest forces in our intellectual and moral education. For this reason the decisions of the Broadcasting Committee, which completed the hearing of evidence on February 4th., will prove of the greatest interest. This Committee has been investigating the scope and conduct of the B.B.C., and suggested the future policy. Although still in its infancy, broadcasting has made remarkable strides. This is particularly Symbol of bloodless victory, wave unfurled, A meteor-sign of love effulgent o'er the world. Do thou, wild Cambria, calm each struggling thought; Cast thy sweet veil of rocks and woods between, That by the soul to indignation wrought Mountains and dells be mingl'd with the scene; Let me for ever be what I have been, But not for ever at my needy door Let Misery linger speechless, pale, and learn; I am the friend of the unfriended poor, Let me not madly strain their righteous cause in gore." The influence of Welsh scenery in Shelley's poetry can be traced in other poems. true in Great Britain and for this we have to thank the personnel of the B.B.C., who are idealists; determined that the service of this country must lead the World, no matter from what aspect it is viewed. It is admitted, however, both by the B.B.C. and competent critics, that the present arrangement of the stations has outlived its sphere of usefulness. There are at the moment too many stations, with the result that the wave lengths at which they transmit are too close not only to each other, but also to foreign stations. The wave length at which Cardiff operates is 353 metres, while San Sebastian operates on 346 metres. As a result there is considerable inter- ference and matters are made worse in this respect by the necessary Government services in this country and the clash of other Continental Stations. It will thus be realised that the problem is not an easy one to solve. From the conclusions arrived at by the Committee, and contained in their Report, it is clear that, in the future, unified control must continue and the public service conception must be retained, consolidated and extended.. This will have many obvious advantages but-there is also an attendant danger, a danger which is a particularly serious one. This danger is inherent in any form of bureaucracy; namely, the love of red tape with consequent standardisation of procedure. Following this, local interests and aspirations are ignored because they involve too much trouble. It will be generally admitted that the B.B.C. has made an honest endeavour to arrange its system to meet popular demand, local aspirations have consequently been adequ- ately reflected in the programmes. The B.B.C. has in fact been admirably sensitive to movements of public opinion. When the present organisa- tion of the B.B.C. is disbanded at the end of this year a more formal and powerful organisation will take its place. Broadcasting instead of being in the hands of a Company will then become a national service. In Wales we must conse- quently watch the proceedings carefully and if necessary take special steps to safeguard our aspirations and ideals.