MORNING RECEPTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23719, 27 July 1940, Page 16

MORNING RECEPTION

ARTISTS FOR FESTIVAL GREAT STIMULUS GIVEN GOVERNMENT PAYS TRIBUTE The stimulus to music given by the visit, to New Zealand of the overseas artists who took part in the Now Zealand Centennial Music Festival was stressed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, when farewell in g Miss Isobel Baillie, Miss Gladys Biplcv, Mr. Heddle Nosh and Mr. Oscar Natzke, nt a morning reception given by the Government in (lie lounge of the Station Hotel yesterday.

The guests included members of the music section of the Auckland Centennial Fine Arts Committee, members of the Centennial orchestra now in Auckland, representatives of the National Broadcasting Service, the Travel Club and other organisations. 15 Concerts in 25 Days

The arduous nature of the task undertaken by the artists was pointed out. by Mr. Parry, who said that, in addition to presenting 15 concerts in the short space of 25 days, they had travelled a distance of 2500 miles. Mr. Parry said ho felt confident that the artists had not- only stimulated a love of music in the localities visited, but had also invigorated the work ol music organisations in those centres. The concerts had also established new standards of music which should assist the Dominion's cultural development during the next ]CK) years. Mr. Parry paid a special tribute to the New Zea-land-born singer, Mr. Oscar Natzke. Gifts to the Artists A telegram from the Prime Minister, the Jit. Hon. P. Fraser, and Mrs. Eraser, regretting their inability to he present and extending their congratulations on the success of the tour, was read by Mr. Parry, An apology for absence was also received from the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, and Lady Davis.

On behalf of the Government bound volumes of the New Zealand Centennial Pictorial Survey and a souvenir programme of the Centennial Musical Festival inscribed with the name of each, were presented to the guests of honour by Mr. Parry. Miss isobel liaillie and Mr. Heddle Nash, in replying on behalf of the visiting artists, spoke of the great pleasure the visit to New Zealand had afforded them.