"GOD DEFEND NEW ZEALAND"

Evening Post, Issue 30, 4 August 1936, Page 8

"GOD DEFEND NEW ZEALAND"

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Have we a New Zealand National Hymn? We certainly have and a very fine composition it is, but what proportion of our people can hum the tune through let alone sing the words? Apart from the scholars in our- public schools, many of. whom..are taught the hymn, I will undertake to say-that the number is exceedingly small. Personally I am fond of good music, but am greatly ashamed to admit that at a function which I recently attended where the hymn was sung, I was utterly unable to sing any of the words other than the title when those words .occurred in the piece, and not all of the tune. Now, Sir, let me asle'what would be the impression conveyed to a visitor from overseas if he inquired what our National Hymn was, and the •persons asked had to admit that they could neither play nor sing it? I for one would be ashamed and have now taken steps to get acquainted with it.

And now to find some remedy for this, to my mind, deplorable state of affairs. May I put forward the following suggestions:—

1. That the picture theatres throughout the Dominion be appealed, to to have slides of both words and music prepared; the slide to be projected on the screen, played, and the audience" encouraged to sing it-prior to each , performance. The National Anthem is usually played at the close of the performance. -The little-"com-munity sing" would be far preferable to listening to some of the so-called crooners. At the same time" it would teach the audience both words and music.

' 2. When orchestras,- bands, community sings, etc., open any' performance with the National Anthem let this be immediately followed by our National Hymn even \as British regimental bands open up a band concert with their own regimental marches. If these suggestion's were ' carried out we should soon be on side'with our -National Hymn and get a thorough knowledge of it.>- I commend these remarks to all lovers ■'of music (they are.a great multitude) and to those who can help.

11l conclusion, I may say that about 40 years ago I was living in the Transvaal and had not been there a month before I knew the tune of .the Boer National Anthem, which was, strangely enough, composed by,,a Welshman. I know the tune well yet but' have forgotten the words.' Before, closing I would like to pay a tribute, to the composer of "God Defend New- Zealand" for- his loyal . and ' patriotic effort. — I am, etc., • . BORN IN ENGLAND BUT A LOYAL ' NEW ZEALANDER.