16 AUGUST 1940, Page 5

I know nothing about what is described as " the

controversy between Sir Adrian Boult, of the B.B.C., and Sir Henry Wood " over the broadcasting of the Promenade Concerts, but whoever is to be held ultimately responsible for the non-broadcasting of the concerts deserves a very black mark against his name. Never was there a time when this kind of music was wanted more, and many millions of listeners may justly revile the party responsible for depriving them of a pleasure which they were entitled to consider their due. It was apparently a question of terms. The B.B.C. offered a certain payment for the right to broadcast the concerts. The organisers rejected the offer as insufficient. As result they presumably get nothing. So does the radio public. * * * *