CHARGE OF BAD TASTE
Sir Thomas Beecham's remarks were described today by Mr. T. H. Ashton, secretary of the Australian Imperial Force Association, as being in the vsry worst taste and not worthy of serious attention by Australians living, in New Zealand or by New Zealanders themselves.
Sir Thomas's attack on Australia's war effort did not follow the facts, said Mr. Ashton. Figures relating to manpower organisation and munitions production, published recently in New Zealand newspapers, would in themselves prove him wrong. What, moreover, did Sir Thomas Beecham know of the sacrifice involved in the raising of five divisions of men. or of; the sacrifices these men were now facing?
The Auckland outburst was nol ;in isolated case, said Mr. Ashton. Sir Thomas said things like that wherever he went. The danger was that his nonsense might be taken for truth by those who did not know what sort of man lie was.
"In any case," he added, "his criticism, in that form, was most uncalled for from a visitor who has been a guest conductor in the Commonwealth."
Other Australians, referring today to the Beecham interview, said- that Sir Thomas was perfectly at liberty to criticise Australian art, literature, and drama. But, they insisted, he should not deny their existence.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 86, 8 October 1940, Page 9
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211CHARGE OF BAD TASTE Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 86, 8 October 1940, Page 9
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