CORRESPONDENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4386, 16 March 1909, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We are art responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.)

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—lncluded in the advertisement appearing in the papers a short time back, announcing the coming of the “ Kilties,” and their wonderful ability as musicians, were some utterances emanating from T ord Roberts, Com-mander-in-Chief of the British Army, on the great influence their music would have in inspiring men to deeds of mortal combat oblivious of personal danger. Without commenting too much on His Lordship’s ideas, I certainly consider the man during this latter part of his life, is exceeding himself, taking up almost the position of a military scarecrow, for never in the history of the civilized world, has the balance of the amount of power of the _ nations been so equally divided, or more’ difficult for ary one amongst them to disturb the peace of others ; therefore impelling to slaughter, should by this time be out of fashion. Although I have never seen it in any way remarked or noticed, I have come to the conclusion military music, on one momentable occasion played a very important part and produced the very opposite effect of that desired by Lord Roberts, I recall the seige of Ladysmith, As is wellknown, included amongst the beseiged at Ladysmith were a number of the Bands of various regiments, while the enemy were it sight, coolly and fearlessly played at Sunday service and again in the afternoon right the seige The rich melody of their music, borne on the clear South African air to the Boer lines a mile and a-half or two miles away, did, I feel positive, have the effect of soothing their raised feelings, stifling their animosity and inducing the conception of the ideas in their minds that the British, taking them all in all, were really very peasant ioemen, the fruits of which ideas aie now in full evidence by the ready acquiescence accorded to the condition of government established. The strains of those melodious times of “ Nearer My God to Thee,” ‘‘My God and is Thy Table Spead,” <! He Comes in Clouds Descending,” and “ Onward Christian floldiers,” reaching a sensitive ear, would almost deter a finger from pulling a trigger to destroy the producer of the sweet music. This idea of promoting friendship, peace and goodwill, would be far more in accordance with the present tendency of mankind.— 1 am, etc.,

H. J. Hawkins.