BETTER MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 6, 2 October 1943, Page 6

BETTER MUSIC

Plea For Cleansing Of Radio Programmes

What was poured out over the radio every day into the ears of young people, purporting to be music ‘utterly nauseated” her. said Miss Mackay, when addressing the annual meeting of the League of Mothers, Wellington province, in Wellington yesterday. The large body of women present expressed hearty agreement with the speaker s views. If the league, a large women’s body, passed a motion asking that the daily radio programmes in New Zealand be cleansed, Miss Mackay said she was sure that every mother in New Zealand would appreciate the effort to have "this canker cut out of the heart of the country,” for it was something that deeply troubled them all. " "Why should children have to listen to the horrible apologies of what was supposed to be music. Good music, like good literature, was an inspiration and served to uplift one’s thoughts. It was revolting to hear the meanings that passed tor singing in songs that all seemed to talk about being temporarily in the arms of someone or other. It was a wonder young people managed to start the day so fresh and clean in mind when they heard music like this, first thing every day.

To women would go the great responsibility, after the war, of being in themselves and of making their homes a stronghold for the men and girls returned from service. They could create an atmosphere where all the best and finest in life was to be found and to do this she urged them to seek inspiration from good music and from lovely English literature. By literature she meant the wealth of fine prose and poetry that was a heritage, not the cheap, trashy, sex novels that one got today. If people heeded St. Paul’s words and practised truth, honesty, purity, justice, virtue, sought, loveliness and were of good report, there wouldnlt be a need tor a campaign for Christian order.. The new provincial president is Mrs. C. W. Salmon, who was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mrs. IL IT. Cornish. Other Officers elected were as follows: secretary, Mrs. F. M. Spencer; assistant secretary, Mrs. F. S. Maclean: treasurer, Mrs. P.W.B". Youug; executive, Mesdames Wall, Kersley, Salmon, Cornish, Cameron, Young, Vance, Fisher, Spence, Maclean, Wedekind, Nicol, Gordon. The Hataitai and Karori branches had arranged lovely flowers on the stage at the Blue Triangle Hall. , Flowers were presented to Mrs. Cornish, Mrs. Salmon and Miss Mackay. Mrs. Elton supplied incidental music and the Moera choir gave items.