THE MISSION BAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7292, 23 November 1910, Page 2

THE MISSION BAND

(To the Editor “N.Z. Times.’*) Sir,—lTor the life of me 1 cannot understand the action of the Rev. Mr Bhunims and the Mission Band in tins puarlyr business they are making- about the refusal of the council to grant them .a subsidy unless the baud cuiifonnjs to its wishes. 1 am a friend of the Mission : Band and 1 personally know that some of Iho members of the band favour the playing of the band at Lyall Bay or any- ■ where else so as to keep the subsidy of JMO, but the rev. gentleman Is simply 'making the mailer an advertisement •for the mission of which he is the- .superintendent.

If the present .stand by the band is one of principle, then why make such a fuss and call people to their aid? There aio people with no religious convictions ,■whatever who would do the same thing: ■and be willing to sacrifice more sooner than give in against even moral principles: what better are the rev. minister ami the band than they? Why this fuss? The present agitation appears to be nothing Jess than seli'-glorjiicatiaii of the Mission Band, the setting of themselves upon a pedestal above the head of other bauds an the city. \\ hat baldens do the Mission Band carry more than any other baud in this city? None whatever, uiv Jess it is the continual alteration of un> forms for now players to take the place of others who are continually leaving. As a woil-wisher- of the band, I say let the band keep to its religious wenk, succour tho sick, feed the poor—hang, rilvcr-plated instruments, but do God’s work.—l am, etc., JOHN ROGERS. November 22jkL (To the Editor “N.Z. Times.”) Sir,—it is really very interesting, not .to say amusing, tlio attitude the Mission Band has taken, up with regard to Sun- 1 day band concerts. Those who know the Mission bandsmen best place little: 'credence in the assertion that it is owing to religious scruples that they will 1 .not take part in Sunday playing, pith •very few exceptions the men.as private individuals attend the Sunday concerts at the various reserves, but when assembled as a baud they for the time being sink their individuality and become very sorupulious and subservient to the constitutions and doctrines of tlie Central Mission, who lately pledged themselves to do ail they could to kill these ♦Sunday concerts. The band has been commended for the noble stand they have taken in the matter, but they hud practically no choice. The City Conned was quite aware before they lonvaidea to the Mission the programme for the year, that oai the face of all that had boon said about “scruples” the Mission could not. do other than they have., bo it was practically a dismissal but iae council wore coiu-tcxm* enough to Jet the band down lightly and them an opportunity of gracefully withdrawing. Under the circumstances it would have taken more nerve and backbone to have accepted the council’s terms and thus exposed the band to ridicule. As it ib they are now able to pose as martyrs m a righteous cause and work upon the sympathies of the religions section of the community. No doubt they vdl hiul it nav just as well in the long run as a Ciiy Council subsidy.—l am, etc., ' QUOD SCEIPSI. SCEXPSI. November 23nd.