NAZI SONGS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 24, 30 January 1939, Page 10

NAZI SONGS

AUCKLAND ENTERTAINED

Lustily singing German songs, about 45 cadets and their officers from the German four-masted barque Kommodore Johnsen marched up Queen Street on Saturday evening to a dance and social evening at the German Club, reports the "New Zealand Herald." The effect of melodious young voices in harmony was very fine, and it caused crowds to flock to the scene. It is decidedly unusual in New Zealand to hear men singing on the march, or for that matter to hear choruses given in the open so tunefully and with such spirit, and the intense interest of the crowd was manifest. The most effective song of all appeared to be the "Horst Wessel Lied," and as sung on Saturday.evening it was easily appreciated why, from the aspect of the tune alone, it should be so popular in Germany. It is an old Bavarian folk tune, set, however, to new words that have made it a marching ,song of the Nazis, for it commemorates the "martyrdom" in 1930 of Horst Wessel, the first Nazi to be killed in the cause. Although there was some comment by members of the crowd who understood German or German songs, at the choice of "Horst Wessel Lied" and similar Nazi numbers for public performance in a British community, it was explained that neither the march nor the singing was intended to be in any way provocative. "For the sake of discipline my crew always march when they attend- any official function," said Captain Clausen, of the Kommodore Johnsen. "No, it is not naval discipline. You quite understand that, with over 60 on the ship, there must be discipline; and we always sing when we march." Captain Clausen added .that the cadets appeared to be enjoying themselves in Auckland. They had encountered much friendliness—there was no reason for unfriendliness between Germans and New Zealanders.