RECRUITING RALLY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1943, Page 2

RECRUITING RALLY

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR , FORCE ARRIVAL OF BAND YESTERDAY. ADDRESSES IN QUEEN STREET. The Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which arrived in Masterton yesterday, created a very favourable impression. The band marched from the railway station to town and played the march “Sussex by the Sea” through Queen Street. Members of defence and air units marched behind the band. The salute was taken at the Post Office corner by Wing Commander Ayling. A fairly large crowd assembled at the Post Office corner where a recruiting rally was held. Mr J. Robertson, M.P., welcomed the members of the band to the district. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr W. White, apologised for the absence of the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, who was out of town, and welcomed bandsmen on behalf of the Borough Council and people of the town. He said the exploits of New Zealand airmen made everyone in the community feel very proud of them. Flight Lieutenant Gladstone H. Hill said that if it were not possible to enlist it was possible to give money towards patriotic funds. It was the band’s aim. in addition to furthering recruiting, to squeeze every penny out of the people of Masterton for the patriotic funds. People were only able to go about their business Without being inconvenienced because someone else was fighting somewhere else. Flight Lieutenant Stedman made an appeal for recruits for the Air Training Corps. He pointed out that after the war the highly skilled tradesmen trained in the Air Force would be keenly sought after by employers. In addition, when a boy entered the Air Training Corps his education was continued from the stage reached when he left school. Flight Lieutenant Stedman appealed also for recruits for the Air Force and for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. BAND’S PERFORMANCES. AT CARTERTON & MASTERTON. The band is making two public appearances in Carterton today, at the Showgrounds this afternoon and at the State Theatre, where a patriotic dance is being held this evening. Tomorrow afternoon the band will give a ceremonial display at the Masterton Park and in the evening a concert will be presented in the Regent Theatre. The patriotic action of the Air Force Band in coming to Masterton at their own expense will be greatly appreciated by the public of Masterton, who will doubtless show their approval by giving the concerts in the Masterton Park and the Regent Theatre tomorrow their strong support. The whole of the money raised in Master ton. less small local incidental expenses, will be paid into the patriotic fund established for the benefit of New Zealand soldiers overseas. The price of admission to the concert in the Park has been fixed at Is, and for the concert in the Regent Theatre 3s and 2s—moderate charges which will be appreciated by the public.