COMMUNITY PRIDE AND PATRIOTISM.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 3279, 14 March 1931, Page 5

COMMUNITY PRIDE AND PATRIOTISM.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Without in any way impairing a broad outlook on matters in general, it is possible, and even advantageous for the people of any small district to develop a spirit of what might be termed Community Pride and Patriotism, and unless such a spirit exists you will find little true progress of any kind. It is extremely regrettable therefore to find evidence in our district of a distinct lack of the spirit referred to. The committee of the Pio Pio Sports Club, it appears, made arrangements for an outside band to provide the music at the forthcoming sports meeting, after having had an offer from the Maniapoto Silver Band of their services in this connection. The Maniapoto Band certainly has its headquarters at Te Kuiti, but it professes, and is generally looked upon to be, a district organisation, and the fact that four of its playing members are residents of Pio Pio would certainly lend colour to this view. The rejection of their offer by the Sports Club was, I am given to understand, decided upon for two reasons, viz.:—(l) The band asked for expenses in the shape of a meal for each player, over and above a fee of £ls for providing music both at the sports and dance; (2) a programme of music to be played was not submitted. If any spirit of community pride had been exhibited, the question of a pound or two of extra expense would not have affected the question, and failure to submit a programme of music is surely a trivial item to raise as an excuse. Excepting in the case of official functions, I do not think it is usual for bands to submit a stereotyped programme of music. It is usually taken for granted that the bandmaster knows his job sufficiently to provide music suitable to the occasion. Any musician or band of musicians appearing by command before Royalty are requested to submit their proposed programme for approval beforehand, but surely such procedure is not necessary for a country sports meeting. Up to the present time the funds of the band have benefited by voluntary donations from most of the surrounding centres except Pio Pio, and the Sports Club Committee had the opportunity of saving the reputation of our district, but they have failed. I know that the feelings of many besides myself will be offended by the Sports Club action and my main object in publishing this letter is to make the members of the Maniapoto Band feel that there are some residents of Pio Pio who appreciate their efforts to foster a taste for music in our midst. The question of the efficiency or otherwise of the band is quite beside the question, as nobody with any knowledge of music would expect a company of players who have only been together a few months to be proficient in all the points of band playing. My feelings are —The Sports Committee have turned down Our Own Band for an imported combination and on the grounds of community pride and patriotism their action stands condemned. I sincerely trust that the band members will not take the rebuff that has been given them, as representing the attitude of our district as-a whole, and I will certainly look forward to a visit from them at some future date when I am certain they will find many to give them the welcome which their efforts deseiwe. —I am, etc., PIOPIOITE. Pio Pio, 13/3/31.