R.N.Z.A.F. Band Tours

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 278, 23 August 1945, Page 6

R.N.Z.A.F. Band Tours

Sir,-r-I would like to add my protest to those of “Let’s Go Home” and ‘ laxpayer” iu connexiou with a proposed trip to Australia, and even to America, by the Air Force Band. We were told many times during the war how much money the band had collected for patriotic purposes, and no doubt good work has been done. But, aw “Taxpayer” says, the band is undoubtedly a very heavy expense to the publie. A conservative estimate ot wages alone would run to something like £16,000 a year, and when the cost of keep, travelling expenses, uniforms and upkeep of .instrumenta is added, there would be very little left out of £20,000 a year. Put this together for the period of the war and the figure reaches an immense total.. It has been very obvious for some time that the necessity for the continuance of so large a band has ceased to exist, as I understand that nearly every station has its own band. In view of these facts the suggestion of an extended trip abroad is totally out of place, and if it eventuated would be a gross waste of manpower and public funds. Far more service could be rendered to the country if the band was demobilized immediately, and the 70 men comprising the combination allowed to take up work of a more useful nature. I am. etc., ANOTHER TAXPAYER. Wellington, August 22.

Sir,- —I was amazed to learn from your correspondent, "Taxpayer,” that still another tour is proposed for this band. ■As a taxpayer I, and also, 1 am sure, many ot tiers, strongly protest against this most unnecessary expenditure of public moneys. There can be no justilieation for this proposed trip to Australia, as the war is over and the cost of a trip like this would be very considerable, and we all know that the money could be put to much better use here in New Zealand helping our discharged servicemen. We are given to understand that drastic reductions are to be made in the personnel of the three services. This being so the Air Force Band should be the first unit to be disbanded.—l am, etc., EUPHONIUM. Wellington, August 22.