CAMPS AND BANDS.

Evening Star, Issue 23697, 3 October 1940, Page 7

CAMPS AND BANDS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —What are the military authorities thinking about in not including bands for camps in Territorial regiments? There is something wrong somewhere. I remember reading in your paper, and also in the Horae papers, that owing to the demand of the people the Minister of War authorised the reinstatement of regimental bauds while the regiments are at home. Surely our Minister'of Defence has the power to authorise the reinstatement of regimental bands. If the officers and men of the regiments had the say in the matter bauds would be included on the strength of their regiments. Any old soldier will tell you how a band has bucked him up when he was nearly dead. The fault with the Army is that it is run by a few “ brass hats ” and the other officers are not allowed to say anything berause if they do it is insubordination. I would suggest that the Minister of Defence form a eimuniitee, including business men with military experi-

ence, so that sngge.-lions from officers anil men be received and dealt with in an unbiased manner. —1 am, ote., Common Sh.vsh. October 2.

■ TO TOE EDITOR Sir, —I write as a returned soldier with experience of very many camps, both here and abroad, and I emphatically say that each camp should have its band. It is necessary for marching purposes and also to keep the men contented in camp in the evenings. In the camps at Wingatui and Forbury I understand that the men only receive leave on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. If this is so, what is more necessary than a band to keep them happy? I believe (hat Sir Andrew llusse.ll now holds a high military administrative post in New Zealand, and it would be inirrosrin" 1 * t,o have this distinguished soldier’s views <m Mils subject. If the lack of bauds, in oiir military camps is not due directly (n the Minister of Defence but to bis advisers, then bo certainly lias been very had I y advised. Trusting it is not yet 100 ' to vest ore the refining iiilbiencc of iiiu-ic In all military camps.—-1 am, ole., Kiwi. October 2.