THE GUARDS BAND

Opunake Times, 11 January 1935, Page 3

THE GUARDS BAND

WORK TOO HARD GOVERNMENT NOT HELPING Many persons have probably gained the impression that being a member of such a famous unit as the Grenadier Guards Band consists solely of dressing up occasionally in a brilliant uniform, marching through the streets and being feted everywhere by the public with the necessity of giving a performance now and then —an existence surely to he envied. Actually, however, very hard work is entailed, and on the present tour the bandsmen have had to earn their own way through Australia and New Zealand.

When asked what he thought of New Zealand, Major George Miller, M.lkE. musical director, complained to a Christchurch Sun reporter that the hand had seen hardly anything of the country, because it had been working too hard, with performances nearly every afternoon and evening, and in some cases concerts in two different towns on the same day. ‘’The tour s ofar has been parlieularlv strenuous,” he said.

Since the beginning of October the hand had been working hard every day, without a single day off except three Sundays. In Australia the work had been even more strenuous than here. As a result, it had been necessary to put a curb on some functions, such as civic receptions..

4 Eveis r time a bandsman turns out he lias to clean up,” remarked Major Miller. “We do not turn oul in slop order.” A|| Nieht From Hamilton,

Tlie work had really been too hard. Sometimes two towns had had lo he visited in one day—for instance, in the case of Hawera and Wanganui, and Stratford and New Plymouth. They had travelled all night from Hamilton to get to Stratford, and then had gone on to New Plymouth. The first dav iu Wellington wag “terrific’.”

There had never been a Guards band in New Zealand before, and all the bands that had come out here previously had been brought for some special purpose, such as playing at an exhibition. There had always been some excuse to pay for them; but in this case the Grenadier Guards Band had to earn its own way through Australia and New Zealand.

The public lost sight of that fact. It seemed to have got the idea that the band had been brought out by the governments, that it was being taxed to pay for Ihe visit, and that accordingly there ought to be a succession of free concerts. The real position was that the band had to work very hard to pay its own way.

‘They talk about commercialising the band of His Majesy’s Grenadier Guards, but if the Governments had put down a guarantee of £50,000 we would have been able to oblige everybody and still see the country,” said Major Miller.

Major Miller pointed out that when at Home the hand had many official calls on its time. It; had to go to the Continent two or three times a year. Such trips were of course, enjoyable, but they were always doing it. A few years ago they had gone right through South Africa. A Wrong Impression.

Mr Claude Kingston, concert director for J. and N. Tait, the company which is conducting the tour, also had something to say about the impression general jn some quarters that the Governments of New Zealand and Australia were helping to pay for the tour, “There still appears to be a be-

lief among many persons (hat New Zealand citizens arc contributing in their capacity as taxpayers toward the cost of the band's visit to this country,” said Mr Kingston. “The actual position is that not a penny piece is to he provided by either the Governments mentioned, my firm guaranteeing the entire cost of the tour from the time the band left England until the date of its return. The Governments have

declined to take any part in the guarantee; the Ncav Zealand, the Australian and the English taxpayer does not enter in any wa.v ini( the expense the Avhole guarantee devolving on J. and JT. Tad.’ History of Negotiations. “After protracted negotiations for the A-isit of the hand betAveen the CommonAvealth Government and the Centenary Celebrations Council of Victoria, it wag found that the expenses Avere too great,

ami the Government refused to take the responsibility,” continued Mr Kingston. “This Avas the first time in history that the band had been granted permission to visit Australia and New Zealand, and in order that the people might have the opportunity of hearing the Grenadiers for pi'aetieally I lie only time in their lives, my directors came forward, ca’cii in the face of the depression, and offered to guarantee the Government and Centenary Council against all loss, the guarantees amounting to over £50,000,” Mr Kingston continued.