WHY PLAY ALL THIS MARTIAL MUSIC?

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 37, 24 February 1939, Page 22

WHY PLAY ALL THIS MARTIAL MUSIC?

"Nothing Does More To Produce War Psychology" ... More About "History Behind The Headlines" . . . Comedy Harmonists Returning To New Zealand

IBERTY LOVER (Wellington): What is the reason for the marked increase in the number of military marches ‘and nationalistic tunes with a mili--tary flavour broacieast by both national and commercial statious these days? Is it purely accidental-or are the stations acting under instructions from higher up? Perhaps I am unduly sensitive on the subject, but T’lk wager that a check-up would reveal the truth of my statement, that there has been a notable increase in the type of music mentioned during the past year. . Nothing does more to create a war psychology than martial musie-its effect is insidious and extraordinarily hard to resist even when one is on one’s guard. The totalitarian States have found this out; and anyone who listens on shortwave to Berlin knows that the programmes are principally composed of military music. Are the New Zealand authorities taking a leaf out of the German book in order to get the public in the right state of mind for the next war? ‘Those Dictators H. Denby (Waihi): Listener (Wellington) is funny.

Never listened to Mr. Melvin, so he knows he is dangerous and ought to be stopped. Like Jay Bee, I did not agree with all K. Melvin said, neither do I agree entirely with Mr. L. K. Munro and other NBS world affairs commentators to whom I consistently listen. if foreigners come to live among us, they must be prepared to be reconciled to our moods, even if they do not approve of our mannerisms. We owe our success in democratic government chiefly because we humorously decline to accept any ruler as a "tin god." Some cartoons in the daily Press offend us-for example, Mr. Savage as Mickey Mouse, Mr. Nash as the wolf, and others, but we smile and carry on. Perhaps we will be told that cartoons of Hitler, Mussolini or a Japanese general must be erased from our papers, because the ultra-sensitive fear we will offend "nations who have friendly dealings with us." British residents in Italy or Germany may or may not have been amused at Ajax’s hypothetical case, still we have heard of concentration camps for critics, we have heard the Fuehrer dub Roosevelt as a Bolshevist Jew. I wonder if the

British Ambassador could get an apology from Hitler for remarks, compared with which Mr, Melvin’s views fade into insignificance. The trouble with the Fascists is they are out to boss the show; they may, even in other countries, aim to insert the thin end of the wedge of their own particular form of misrule, and we must not even show our displeasure. They are too impatient to wait until they have annihilated all who do not agree with them. Still they may find that we are going to take a good deal of conquering, that we will give them a good "go" to retain our particular brand of liberty.

The Harmonists W.IR. (Auckland): At the Comedy Harmonists’ last concert in New Zealand I remember the Director of Broadeasting announcing that they had signed a contract to reappear in New Zealand in 1939. Could you please tell me if this is correct, and when they will be coming? The Comedy Harmonists are by far the most popular artists to visit New Zealand, and information about them would be welcomed by all. May I add my belated con-

gratulations of the new "Radio Record" to the many you must have received, and wish you the very best success? [The Comedy Harmonists, Professor Shelley informs the "Record," will return to New Zealand toward the end of 1939.-Eia.] Appreciation Appreciative Listener (Christchurch): As a lover of band music, and one who is in a position to offer mild criticisms, I would like to express my appreciation of- the concert put over the air by the Christchurch Municipal Band last Monday night. It is my opinion that we hear far too little of this musical combination, conducted by se able a man as Mr. Raiph Simpson. In expressing this opinion, I do not wish, in any way, to belittle the merits of the Woolston Band, but I would respectfully suggest that the Municipal Band be given 2 larger share of Monday night broadcasts.

Thomas West Mrs. H. McCarr (Whakatane): On reading a recent Home Forum, E noticed a letter from Wairoa. I quite agree with the writer about

the fine voice of Mr. West, and think we ought to hear more of him. I am a very interested reader of the "Record," and have been buying this paper for six years, and enjoy every bit of it. =