‘Mas’ men welcome new “free band”

We will survive. This was the statement from Dane Lewis, the chairman of the Island People mas band, in response to government’s plan to have a "free" mas band next year. Winston Peters the Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism yesterday announced that any with a costume could play mas free of charge next year in a "people’s band". Lewis has lauded the government’s initiative saying such a concept has already proved successful in other islands. Lewis said he didn’t envisage the people’s band affecting the private bands as it catered to a different market. Lewis said both bands would be able to co-exist comfortably together.