groups, somewhat similar to the English stage groups, the trend now is towards professionalism, and for individual actors to be employed in programmes produced by staff producers. In that this makes for better production, it is a good thing. At the same time the shift of emphasis from amateurism to profession- alism has meant that artists both dramatic and musical go for the highest fees. The growing demands of other branches of the entertainment industry in the Colony, films and record companies, in addition to Rediffusion, have sometimes led to difficulty in obtaining the services of good artists.
42. The fees which Radio Hong Kong has been able to offer to actors have been insufficient to maintain the quality of radio plays during the year and there has been some lowering of standard, particularly with the short weekly plays. In addition an acute shortage of good scripts led to a reduction in the number of plays produced, although this was offset to some extent by the increased use of English radio play scripts which were translated into Cantonese and performed by dramatic groups. Apart from their intrinsic value, these scripts have had a beneficial effect on radio writers in the Colony in that they demonstrated the technique of writing for radio.
Nine long radio plays, of from 14 to 24 hours in duration, were broadcast during the year. These included Charles Dickens 'Christmas Carol', three adaptations from Yuan drama and Peking opera, and five adaptations from the novels of well known contemporary writers in Hong Kong, Mr. Chun Yan, Miss CHENG Wai and Mr. Tsui Chuk.
Miss YUE Chi Ping and Mr. CHIU Kwong Pui were responsible for the twice weekly dramatized story-telling sessions.
Story telling.
43. The popularity of the stories told by YIP Chi Hong, CHAN PO Wai and LAM Shu continued unabated and during the year they were joined by NG Kwok Wai. Mr. NG is a young man with an excellent voice and attracted large audiences of youngsters with his literary and detective novels.
Women's and children's programmes.
44. Miss LEE Leigh continued her weekly talks for women, and Miss Tsor Sau Ling gave a series of talks on home nursing
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