No more comment required. Well said

1/451 Severin Street, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 4870
13 February 2012

HQ NZ Defence Forces
Wellington,
New Zealand
For The Chief of Army.

Ref; Band of The Royal Regiment, NZ Artillery.
Sir,
I refer to the recently released edict that would see the Band of The RNZA dis-established.
I am a former Member of The Band and also a Regular Force Soldier with Active Service in Viet Nam. I am very proud of my time with the Band.

This sick joke is systemic with the Infantry v Artillery rivalry which I experienced first hand in my last posting to the then Auckland Army Area. Indeed, I was subjected to what would today be classed as “Workplace Harassment” by a Staff Sergeant who had been Commissioned and become “God” and to whom any other Unit personnel who were not Infantry were just crumbs to be squashed beneath his heels.
It is unfortunate that also there was the additional side assessment of Territorial v Regular Service, Territorials being commonly referred to as “Cut Lunch Commandos”

I was a member of this HQ when the existing Director of Music was summilarly dismissed due to some conflict of interest or other. This Man had given Sterling Service to the Band sine the 1930’s, how disgusting ,given his stance in the Military [MBE for Services rendered] and the Brass Band Movement.

The Band itself has a 148 year History to the New Zealand Defence Force and to remove it with one stroke of a Faceless “Bean Counter” who see an opportunity to save some $100.000 a year which is being touted as all it costs to maintain this Band is a travesty of justice. It also places the History and “Mana” of the NZ Army at risk to a great degree.

History is on the side of this Band, having been raised by the “Citizenry of Auckland” and it is to the inheritors of this Title, any such removal of this Band from the Auckland scenario should be addressed. I doubt that many would see the Dis- establishment of this Band as being in their best interests given the Musical Scenario it provides to the City and its Environments. It’s touted replacement, The Navy Band is not in the same category. It’s not Brass for the first instance, if you don't know the difference I am sure there are many who will advise you.

I would like this letter to be forwarded to The Chief of Army and The Governor General himself and I look forward to their comments.

I feel that my Service in The NZ Army is definitely “slighted.” and hard to comprehend, what a waste of years!.

I am Sir,

Brian R. Edmonds
Ex Sgt. RNZA L210759