N.Z. CULTURE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 51, 9 December 1948, Page 6

N.Z. CULTURE

“Too Much Modesty” VIEW OF MUSIC EXAMINER Prefacing his comment with the remark that the culture of a country really determined its i’ating in AVorld opinion, Mr AndreAv Morrison, examiner for Trinity College of Music, London, avlio has been visiting Ashburton, stated this afternoon that NeAv Zealand had far too much modesty in this connection. “NeAv Zealand is not nearly as young, speaking culturally, as people here try to make out,'” lie commented. “It is often stated that New Zealanders have been too busy building roads, and so on, to Avorry about culture, but, in my opinion, that is really not the case. You are far more advanced! in culture than you make out, and my advice to you is to stop all these apologies for shortcomings in your cultural life. These shortcomings which you allege are not attributable to the youth of the country, but far more to laziness.

“it must.be remembered that a country which is completely preoccupied by road-building, for instance,” added Mr Morrison, “has no community life and so can only be termed a country of road builders. That is far from the case in NeAv Zealand, for you have progressed a long Avay past that stage. You have your community life, and your culture is far older than you try to make us believe. Again, I say, forget that modesty and take the rating you merit.”