CENTENNIAL MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 8

CENTENNIAL MUSIC.

WHY IMPORT MUSICIANS? >

(To the Editor.)

I was rather puzzled by the announcement in the "Star" in connection with New Zealand'* Centennial Exhibition that "the manager of the exhibition, Mr. C. p. Hainswortli, has cabled the Welsh Guards Band instructing them to book passages so as to arrive i tt Wellington on November 2." Why, pray, the Welsh Guards Band? Without the slightest detriment to that eminent company, may I suggest that their importation is hardly in keeping with the spirit of the Centenary which should rather reflect in all its phases the work of this country's own sons? Surely within this Dominion can be assembled bandsmen sufficiently talented to fulfil all musical demands at the exhibition? Mav I quote from the observations of the famous New Zealand composer, Mr. Alfred Hill, published in the same edition of your paper: "Unfortunately Xew Zealand suffered from an inferiority complex in this as in other things. It had many excellent musicians and teachers, but they were discouraged because they could see i no future either for themselves or for music jin the Dominion. ... It did not seem to be known that New Zealand had musicians who were considered competent to adjudicate at such outstanding musical festivals as the Sydney Eisteddfod, one of the greatest gatherings of its kind in the world. He had left Xew Zealand himself many years ago. because there was 110 inducement to remain here, and many other Xew Zealanders had done likewise. There was no reason, however, why this position should continue if meii of courage and vision could be found to encourage Xew Zealanders to appreciate their own music and to develop proper musical standards and organisation for training. This had been done in Australia, and it could be done here." These deprecations are adequately justified bv Mr. Hainsworth's announcement It seems that Xew Zealand has learnt nolesson from her neglect of that outstanding literary figure, Katherine Mansfield, who was forced to leave lier native country to obtain recognition. It is on such an occasion as the Centenary that one would expect the services of Xew Zealand musicians- to be enlisted, In Auckland alone are many gifted players, assuredly % eager to participate in the* celebrations. Here, incidentally, the members of a fine municipal band have been disbanded through lack of funds to pay them. Would it not be an appropriate and worthy gesture to- take advantage of the 1940 Centennial to rehabilitate these, our compatriots, if only for a short period? T. TRAFFORD.