12 DECEMBER 1941, Page 4

What are the qualities of a good news-broadcasting voice? I

think a kind of bland calm, that leaves all one's attention free for what is being said. The voice of Mr. Wilfred Pickles, the latest debutant among news announcers, seemed at first too fidgety and over expressive, with tiresome pauses and emphasis ; but now I rather like its northern rasp and short, sharp a's. Most of our announcers' voices are pleasant in tone and delivery (when they do not pause before their words); but why do so many of them rhyme combat with wombat? Surely it has always

been cumbut? * * * *