THE PEOPLE'S FORUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 267, 10 November 1937, Page 26

THE PEOPLE'S FORUM.

From Our Readers to Our Readers.

THE NAVY'S COUNTER TO THE SUBMARINE.

(To the Editor.)

C*. Stevens seems to he an authority I on the above and states I am "all at sea" in some aspects of naval affairs. Anyhow he can rest assured I did not get my information from Mr. Churchill, a subject he seemingly forgot to mention in a-nswer to tny questions. To know anything on the above it is essential to remember that our Km pi re is of vast dimensions and only by the safeguard of a strong navy can our security be maintained. Anyone arguing otherwise, shows a complete lack of knowledge of the realities. Dates of treaties, facts, etc.. are of little value other than historical at present and C. Stephens can rest assured the Admiralty knows slightly more than the average layman regarding our needs. Battleships are still being built 000 tons, not 10,000 and by a great air power. Italy, whose leader' states the Mediterranean must be kept open, is of the same opinion as our n.:val heads. Admiral Hall, who was in charge of r.ur submarine service during most of the war, states that towards the end of the war submarines met with very effective counters and were by no means the menace they were in the early days. Proof of this is that one in every three of our men in the service lost their lives. Also at the end of hostilities (iernianv had less than 12 submarines at sea. Regarding naval die-hards belittling the effectiveness of aircraft has ('. Stephens never heard of H.M. ships Furious, Courageous, Glorious, Eagle, Ark Koval and several others, besides cruisers and battleships, being fitted with catapults, altogether a very striking and formidable force. In conclusion the Royal Air Force co-operates with the navy, and in the circumstances I would advise your correspondent to study facts and acquaint himself with such before making *tatement« at variance with actualities. D. MACKENZIE.

unique, it being made quite clear that some "[>ep'' was necessary and this "atmosphere" was supplied ad lib. (likewise ad nauseam!). Some time ago I saw in a magazine a drawing depicting a jazz orchestra in action (complete with drums, saxophones. trombones, banjo and cymbals). The ghost of Beethoven, standing at the open door of the studio, peered in with amazement at the extraordinary antics of the performers. The caption of this sketch read as follows: "He was deaf— thank God!" Nor would these letters have been written if the composers and performers of jazz had been content to confine their activities to their suitable and proper sphere (as indicated by "Music Teacher"). His suggestion to launch a campaign against this corruption of music will. I hope and trust, meet with enthusiastic endorsement supported by hearty and responsive co-operation by all who appreciate the merits of music, thus sifting the chaff from the grain. The time to embark on thin campaign is now; the! place is here. Already a great number of people are demanding better music, because they have become surfeited with the unrestrained and reiterated orgy of purposeless noise. Small orchestras are now forming, real music is being played and the time is soon coming when these groups will combine in the splendid orchestras that drew enthusiastic crowds to their excellent concerts, delighting the audiences which have waited so long for what is now becoming an irresistible desire for beauty as expressed in "concord of sweet sound." UNFINISHED SYMPHONY.

THE SPANISH WAR.

Mv remarks are prompted by the vital necessity of exciting personal thought amongst our people, so that propaganda, whether emanating from its first source —the Communistic Government of Spain —from politicians, or from newspapers, may he assessed at its true value, then discarded and considerations | of truth and justice alone taken into | account. Unlimited space would be required to quote those who have denounced the Press and those who have, being competent and trained observers, visited Spain and verified the true position. Is it right or wrong for decent subjects of the King to do the little that a private individual can do to warn all loyal people of the appalling danger that threatens (and it is developing rapidly in its concealed and camouflaged way throughout the Empire) our civilisation ? It would be futile to proceed with the Italian argument beyond stating that Britain, which is the master extender of empire, will r.ot brook that spirit in the great leader of Italy. I* there one reason why Mussolini should not push out Italy's empire? Britain "took over" India because it was supposed to be a place that required government for the ! benefit of the people. Did not Ethiopia j badly require guidance. Questions of the j result being a threat to Egypt or a bar jin the Mediterranean cannot from a jusi t ice point be considered. Let Britain (•ultivate friendship with Italy. Major ; K. W. Poison-Newman, after a survey of the conditions obtaining in Abyssinia | after the conquest, writes: "The Italians ltrc.it the natives as equals and at times with a curious familiarity. One never I hears cursing or bullying of them. I Children are splendidly cared for and educated up to capacity in a sound and I practical way from the start. All I religions are free to practise as they ! were prior to occupation of the country. : Leprosy is being stamped out and liosi pital accommodation is springing up | everywhere. Where firmness is necessary there is no doubt left of the I Italians' determination. The law proI \ ides for appeal to the Italian Crown, j Mussolini is one of the master minds of the day. and the Italian form of Fascism is free from the sinister phases of Hitler's. It suits Italians, and they are not asking its imposition on Britain or in the future Spain. No nation should talk too loudly about atrocities. Ulster examples of them are right in Britain itself. I am finished with this discussion. PHRANX.

MUSIC AND RHYTHM.

So fur from sustaining his attempted vindication of a debased form of music, I suggest that your correspondent "Saxophone Teacher" aggravates the matter in replying somewhat sarcastically to ".Music Teacher's" well-merited and long overdue castigation of mountebank musicianship; even though "Saxophone Teacher" hasn't laughed so heartily "in" years! On his own admission lie is "a dance band leader, teacher of the saxophone, ha* played in brass bands, has appeared for many years in good symphony orchestras, has studied under the highest, musicians, and played many instruments." Before proceeding any further may I be permitted to venture the opinion that the greatest musicians found that the mastery of one instrument alone occupied a whole lifetime of intensive study and almost unending practice. Consider Padrewski. Backhans. Vladimir de Pachmann—these outstanding pianists. 1 could mention the names of masters of other instruments—organ, violin, 'cello- but I am content to make my point at this instrument only. "Saxophone Teacher" doth "protest too much, methinks." if he would a*k us to accept his assurance that, despite his musicianly qualifications and association with and appreciation of "highbrow" music (presumably classical music) he has now no qualms whatever in deserting the admirable company of the immortal composers for the dubious fraternity of such unworthy modern music (?) writer.?—some of them having had no scruples in plagiarising and disfiaurinrr tlie works of those masters! To conPrm this statement. T myself have heard the following compositions played in picture shows in syncopated or jnzz time:—Chopin's "Nocturne in K Flat." Liszt's "Liebestraume." also portions of Oriei's "Peer Ovnt Suite." viz.. "Morning Mood" and "Anitra's Dance." Possibly the idea was to "release" a stand«rdi--"d or ja/.z'fied interpretation that would ensure "box office" receipts. However, the effect was decidedly