OFFICIAL WELCOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 90, 16 April 1940, Page 4

OFFICIAL WELCOME.

TO VISITING MUSICIANS. CENTENNIAL FESTIVALS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. A Government reception was tendered to musicians visiting New Zealand for the national Centennial music and drama festivals this afternoon. The chief guests were Mr. Anderson Tyrer, musical director. Miss Isobel Baillie, soprano, Miss Gladys Ripley, contralto, Mr. Heddle Nash, tenor, Mr. Oscar Natzke, bass, and Mr. Raymond Beatty, bassbaritone. The guests, who included Ministers of the Crown and representatives of musical societies or Wellington, were received by the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser. and Mrs. Fraser. Extending a brief welcome to the visitors, Mr. Eraser said they would play a very important part in the Centennial celebrations. "We regret it is only possible to hold musical festivals in the four main centres," Mr. Fraser said, ' but because of broadcasting everv corner of the Dominion will be reached. The visit is memorable in the history of culture in tlio Dominion." The Premier of Queensland, Mr. W. Forgan Smith, said it was a splendid thing to bring out notable artists, so that the people of Australia and New Zealand could benefit from their talent. He had every hope that when the artists had carried out their contract in New Zealand they would see fit to visit Australia. Extending thanks for the reception, Mr. Tyrer said they had the finest vocalists England could provide. The Centennial Orchestra was the best the country could provide. New Zealand was a long way from Europe and the United States, and it was up to the public of the Dominion to support the festival strongly.