A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
IF the B.B.C. has a leg to stand on in the matter of its veto on Sir Hugh Roberton it has very effectively concealed it under its skirts. Because Sir Hugh Roberton, the distin- guished conductor of the Glasgow Orpheus Choir, is a " pacifist "—whatever that may denote ; the B.B.C. ought certainly to be called on to define such a term—that well- known choir is not to be allowed to broadcast. Questioned on the subject the B.B.C. states officially, " We do not ask people if they are pacifists, but if their public speeches leave no doubt as to their views we do not, in time of war, invite them to the microphone." This is completely preposterous. It was not, it appears, a question of inviting Sir Hugh to the microphone, but of cancelling arrangements already made for the broadcast by the choir of which he is conductor. In any case the B.B.C. retains and exercises the right of strict control over the script of every address given over the microphone, except by persons in the highest official position. Here, how- ever, is a ban not on a speech but on a speaker—though he was not going to speak, but merely conduct a choir. Last week Dr. Julian Huxley gave a most admirable wireless talk on the Zoo in war-time. If he had happened to hold " pacifist " views, like his brother Aldous, would that talk have been banned?
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