AIR FORCE BAND TO BE DISPERSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 272, 17 November 1945, Page 4

AIR FORCE BAND TO BE DISPERSED

NO LONGER NEED FOR IT \ TRHII TES TO ITS GOOD WORK (P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., Nov. 18 On its return from Australia the R.N.Z.A.F. Band will be dispersed, almost al; the members returning to civil life, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, announced to-night. The Minister added that the subsequent re-es.ablishment of the band, on its original volunteer basis, wat being considered. The band had rendered splendid service during the war, but there was no longer justification for retaining it as a specialist unit, but it is hope a central R.N.Z. A.F. Band may later be formed on c territorial basis, as was done before the war. “It is realised that many people will regret the disbandment of this unique and splendid combination of musicians.” said Mr. Jones. "Since it was established on a war footing in 1940. the band ha: been of material assistance in recruiting, and has raised, both directly and Indirectly, very large sums for patriotic poses and war loans. During its Pacific lour it created a profound impression among hundreds of thousands of Allied servicemen, and among American service personnel particularly. It did much to publicise New Zealand. The Minister added that he had received many messages of commendation from Australia, where the band also publicised New Zealand, and its goodwill gesture was much appreciat ed. Paying trijjute to those who had done so much to earn the band its reputation, Mr. Jones said the work of the members of the band at times had been most difficult. He recalled that they were trained as an aerodrome defence unit when things looked threatening for New Zealand, and many of them joined other branches of the Service, including air crew. For some time they performed other Service duties in addition to band work, and, in general, worked very long hours Mr. Jones paid tribute to the work of the hand's musical director. FlightLieutenant H. Gladstone. Hill, of Warrant-Officer R. H. Simpson, who relieved the musical director during his recent illness and of WarrantOfficer J. H. Hardwick, the drummajor. There were many others, such as bandsmen who had arranged and composed music, who had cont’ributed to the band's success. "New Zealand has had in the band something of which it may well be proud,” raid Mr. Jones. "It reflects credit on all concerned, including those associated with it when it was first formed."