NATIONAL SONG FOR CENTENNIAL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 65, 9 December 1938, Page 10

NATIONAL SONG FOR CENTENNIAL

“God Defend New Zealand”

ADOPTION RECOMMENDED TO GOVERNMENT

The adoption of Thomas Bracken s "God Defend New Zealand” as the national song of New Zealand for the centennial celebrations was recommended to the Government by the National Centennial Council at its meeting in Wellington yesterday. _ It was made clear that this was not intended in any sense to give it the status of a national anthem, the term national song being used. The Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs, Mr. J. W. Heenan, said the suggestion had been made by Mr. J. McDermott, who stated that Bracken was, perhaps, New Zealand’s most famous poet. _ “God Defend New Zealand,” one children’s encyclopaedia stated, stood out among the national songs of the countries of the world as being irreproachable in sentiment, Mr. McDermott said. “Mr. McDermott seems to me to have made out a very good case,” Mr. Heenan said. The mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop: I would like it made quite clear that this is in no way a national anthem: that it is to be the official centennial song. National Sentiment. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Barry (chairman) said he was strongly in favour of a national song. New Zealand lacked national sentiment. “The more we sing about our country the better,” he said. “People cannot sing too much about their country for me.” The mayor of Dunedin, Mr. A. H. Allen, said he agreed that whatever was adopted should be second to "God Save the King.”

The mayor of Christchurch, Mr. R. M. Macfarlane, said he had a decided liking for “God Defend New Zealand.”

On the motion of Mr. Heenan, seconded by. Mr. Allen, it was decided that the council recommend the Government to adopt as the national song of New Zealand for the centennial celebrations Bracken’s “God Defend New Zealand.”