MILITARY BANDS IN CAMP.

Evening Star, Issue 23699, 5 October 1940, Page 19

MILITARY BANDS IN CAMP.

TO THE EDITOR. gj r> _My attention has been drawn to the correspondence published recently in connection with the action .of the military authorities in disallowing regimental bands in Territorial camps. With all due respect for their sincerity in doing what they felt, no doubt, to be in the interests of the department, 1 feel that if popular sentiment was tested it would be in favour of re-in-l aling military bands. There are many obvious reasons for my contention, and these have been suitably voiced by previous correspondents. No one can refute the value of martial music as a psychological stimulus to -war, and we have the tradition of military music since, it has been stated, the time of the Crusaders. There is a danger, I feel, by the discontinuance of bands in camps, of a reactionary apathy productive of the first symptoms of moral degeneracy. Music, as well as providing a vital atmosphere in camp, has a cultural and aesthetic value not to be discounted. I trust, therefore, since there seems no evident reason for doing otherwise, that the military authorities may see fit to amend their former decision. —I am, etc., Adrian Treewortht. October 4.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I hope the letters in your paper concerning blfnds not being included in the strength of the Territorial regiments will persuade the Minister of Defence to look into the matter without delay. “ Common Sense ” has hit the nail on the head when ho says that the fault in the army is that

it is run by a few “ brass hats,” and I highly commend the suggestion that tha Minister of Defence form a committee, including business men of military experience, so that suggestions from officers and men be dealt with in an unbiased manner. 1 know from experience that if the Minister would do as suggested the country would be saved hundreds of thousands of pounds. This would lighten taxation, and give tha brains of the country an opportunity to put the army on a business and logical basis.—l am, etc., Common Sense No. 2. October 4.