The Evening Star TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1925. MUSICAL PUBLICITY.

Evening Star, Issue 19129, 22 December 1925, Page 6

The Evening Star TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1925. MUSICAL PUBLICITY.

The New Zealand Publicity Department has waked up to considerable effect in the last two or three years. Though much more can be done with advantage when more money is provided, its efforts in dispersing a knowledge of the scenic attractions and the industrial opportunities of tbo dominion by the cinematograph (which found so much favor at Wembley), pictorial folders, and other means must have had real benefit. It has found a new aid, which promises to be capable in the future of almost limitless expansion, in the great power of wireless, and it has found friends, in the Old Country especially, who have shown the greatest eagerness to assist it. Through tho courtesy of a dominion firm with whom it was conducted from Great Britain we have been able to peruse the correspondence which preceded the New Zealand concert and lecture, broadcasted in October from the Glasgow station ol the British Broadcasting Company, which formed part ol a series of similar entertainments dealing with various divisions of the Empire. The correspondence gives a most gratifying impression of tho enthusiasm of tho British Company and its zeal to show New Zealand to tho best advantage. There was nothing offhand or perfunctory in the arrangements, for this concert. They wore set in train as long as seven months beforehand, when its organiser, the English tenor singer, Mr John Collinson,- wrote to the New Zealand firm stating what he had in mind, and indicating how assistance could bo given to him. “ I intend to give shortly a concert on Now Zealand,” Mr Gollinson wrote, “and I require music suitable. The idea is as follows:—A talk about New Zealand, a brief outline of its history, description, etc. To make this suitable f should like some folk songs (Maori), some orchestral items that arc descriptive of New Zealand.” Tho writer explained that ho had the “ usual ” Maori songs by Mr Alfred Hill—it is pleasant to think that they arc so well known now in Great Britain; but something ■original”— apparently something less familiar—was desired, “ even an opera if on a Maori or New Zealand subject.” Our love for music has been almost exclusively expressed in hearing and in performing it up to this stage; Mr Hill has had all too few companions in composition. The New Zealand firm was forced to reply that “unfortunately there are not very many Maori folk songs being published,” but it made up a parcel, free of charge, which it Imped would he of use. The explanation was added that “there arc no orchestral items published that would suit your purpose, and, although one or two operas have been written on Maori subjects, these arc only in manuscript.” That did not satisfy Mr Gollinson. His appreciation was expressed of the songs scut, which he found “very good,” but a cable was despatched asking that the manuscript of auy Maori opera, with orchestral parts, should bo sent to him. That request, unfortunately, could not bo complied with in the time available. The assistance of the Publicity Otfico meanwhile had been requisitioned, but, probably because Mr Mill is now iu Sydney, that department had no more success iu unearthing even tbo manuscript of a New Zealand opera for the performance that had been planned. The initiative lor tho New Zealand concert seems to have lain entirely with the British Broadcasting Company, but the Publicity Department, once informed of tho idea, played its full part in making it a success. More than half a dozen songs were given, all for tho first time in England, Princess To Bang! Pai being among the singers. There was a message from the Prime Minister, Mr Coates, a foreword specially prepared by tho High Commissioner, and Air Drew, tho head of the Publicity Office, who happened to be in England, took one of tbo characters in a play called 1 The Arrival of an Immigrant,’ besides giving a sketch of tho attractions of New Zealand, from Auckland to what used to be its Furthest South before tho .Ross dependency was added to it. All tills seems to ns to bo signally good publicity work. Wireless broad; easting lias evidently made another medium for the advertising of New Zealand, and of New Zealand talent, not to be lightly regarded. The international value of music has been often stressed, and programmes on tho linos of this one organised by the British Company should do much to give it an Imperial value. Incidentally, they should give the best incentive to potential songwriters and composers whom this dominion may possess by providing them with an audience larger than they could ever hope to reach otherwise—an audience that is predisposed, we cam well believe, to be appreciative. There should bo more Now Zealand operas, based on tho tales and sounds that are typical of New Zealand and the wealth of Maori music that has hardly been touched on yet.