THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1947 MUSIC FOR THE MASSES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32904, 3 September 1947, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1947 MUSIC FOR THE MASSES

The National Orchestra has already justified its existence with a series of concerts in the cities and nothing should now be allowed to interfere with the proposed extended tour of the Dominion. Packed halls have greeted the orchestra everywhere. It deserved the generous response from the public because of the hard work in developing from a group of individuals into a first’-class team. So well did the orchestra perform that after the distinguished musician Warwick Braithwaite had conducted one of its concerts he suggested it should tour abroad., A tour abroad would mean invaluable experience, but much of it—the experience of playing together—could be obtained from a tour of New Zealand. In the field of sport New Zealanders suffer their glorified All Blacks to go abroad and be seen by every country, province and State in England, South Africa and Australia. Occasionally a few thousand New Zealanders see the chosen in action against a visiting international side—and always in the cities. They should not let’ their national orchestra out of their sight so willingly.

If the State Orchestra is to fulfil its destiny it will have to be seen and heard throughout the country, more especially in the towns, large-and small. Concerts for country townspeople and school children should be one of the main objectives. If lack of suitable halls is to be an obstacle, then the orchestra’s tour should be made the force that will remove the obstacle.