German pianos were the best in the world at the time, but 100 years ago today, with Germany at war with the Empire, Melbourne's Punch thought it unpatriotic for Australians to tickle Hun-made ivories.
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"An Education In National Sentiment.
"German pianos will not be so common here as they were. Australian manufacturers are already showing energy in capturing this trade. German hardware should disappear. British is better."
And Punch was sure the war was being fought especially for Australia's sake because "Australia is the Richest Prize of the War."
"The Twenty Thousand [Australia's promised force] will be fighting for the soil of Australia as much as if they were fighting on Australian soil. For the freedom of Australia is more at stake in the war than is the freedom of Great Britain or France.
"No disaster could lead to the permanent occupation of Great Britain or France, but the downfall of the Allies would certainly lead to the occupation of Australia. On many occasions Germans have expressed a desire for Australian territory and there was, actually, some years ago a proposal that Western Australia should be surrendered to them, to appease their lust for territory, and to give peace to the world.
"The Germans would try to overcome this country if they beat the Allies, and there is no way yet known to us whereby we could successfully resist them is equally clear. A base established at Tasmania, and it would be only a question of time! These thoughts will inspire the Twenty Thousand to great deeds."
