OUR NATIONAL SONG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21345, 21 November 1932, Page 13

OUR NATIONAL SONG

Sir, —It is gratifying to think that at last New Zealandcrs aro becoming moro conscious of p national feeling. But why on earth aro they so afraid to sing about it ? I mean why do we so seldom hear our national song, " God Defend New Zealand" ? Tho music is quite good and tho words aro inspiring. I have heard Australians and Canadians each sing their national song at public functions, but after many years hero I cannot remember hearing ours on similar occasions. Leaders of community singing, bandmasters, public men who arrange national and civic gatherings, schoolmasters—all these should realiso their responsibility in enabling us at suitable times to voice our legitimate pride in our country, and our endeavours toward' a peaceful and prosperous national life. To my fellow countrymen of British birth now domiciled in this country, and with recent correspondence in these columns in mind, I would offer this thought—may wo not have pride in both our British and New Zoaland homes without putting them in rivalry ? The very fact that thousands of us prefer to live in this fair land should give us the right to join with tho native-born in demanding that our national song be widely known and sung, not as u substitute for tho National Anthem, but as a most fitting addition, at a suitable time in tho proceedings. Citizbn.