PATRIOTIC BAND.

Evening Star, Issue 24103, 26 January 1942, Page 7

PATRIOTIC BAND.

TO THU EDITOR. Sir, —Shortly after war was declared and when the best of our manhood wore answering the call to. arms, it became very evident to a large number of the .public that these men were going away to light unheralded and unsung—thousands of men going away to camp and not a band of any description to play them away. After a good.deal of correspondence on the subject a few old bandsmen took it upon themselves to form -a patriotic band, and wore successful in securing the support of over 68 players. This combination has ajjpearod in public on several occasions in tbo past, and has been quite happy to do so, oven when its members are losing wages for the time they have off work; but what of the past few months?. Men are still going away, but apparently the services of a 'band arc not wanted, as no notices have been

,-ecoivcd by bandsmen. However, upon making -some inquiries 1 learn with surprise that certain prominent iiiene rers of the Patriotic Committee are opposed to the baud, and oven have Tone so far as to instruct their secre:ary to refrain from sending out any hirtlier notices to bandsmen, as it was i waste of patriotic money. The pubic will now be able to judge for themselves where the fault lies and why the patriotic band has been absent from she railway station when men were caving for camp.—[ am, etc., Patriotic Bandsman. January 26. ' [Very little notice is received by the Patriotic Council of men returning, rnd often none at all of men departng. The Army authorities are averse ;o publicity being given to movements if troops. To assist the band, the Patriotic Council purchased the musical scores.—Ed E.S.] • '