N.Z. AUTHORS' WEEK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 158, 6 July 1935, Page 11

N.Z. AUTHORS' WEEK.

PROPOSAL BY THE P.E.N. A proposal adopted at the annual meeting of the New Zealand centre o£ the P.E.N, in Wellington on Thursday was that an effort be made to interest publishing firms and booksellers throughout the Dominion in the inauguration of a New Zealand Authors' Week. Mr: Pat Lawlor, who made the suggestion, referred to the fact that great success had recently attended the Australian Authors' Week,' the organiser being a New Zealander, Mr. Will Lawson. The week had resulted in a great revival of interest in book production in Australia, and had promoted big sales to the benefit of the author, the publisher and the bookseller. The week was generally helpful in stimulating literary patriotism in the book production of the Commonwealth. Here in New Zealand many notable books had been produced, and with the necessary organisation and publicity the reading public would be br'i'ight to a realisation of the true literacy worth of the Dominion. Apart from booksellers' displays a specfal exhibition, and possibly a New Zealand literary pageant might be arranged. Mr. O. N. Gillespie strongly supported the suggestion and mentioned several New Zealand books that might be more strongly brought under the notice of the public. He mentioned that Miss Nelle Scanlan's novels had attained big sales in New Zealand, largely through intensive publicity and display work. Other New Zealand books might be given similar prominence. Mr. Lan Donnelly's recently published "Joyous Pilgrimage" was mentioned. The week might be heralded witii special literary talks over the air. The chairman of the meeting, Mr. Johannes C. Andersen, Mr. C. A. Marris and Miss Coad spoke in support of the proposal, and on the motion of Mr. A. E. Currie it was decided to set up the following committee to make contact with possibly interested organisations: Messrs. Andersen, Gillespie ana Lawlor. Following on a lequest from London to nominate two distinguished writers from New Zealand as honorary members to the head body, it was decided to name Misf Jessie Mackay and Mr. Johannes Andersen as being worthy of this high literary recognition. The election of officers resulted as follow: —President, Dr. Scholeneld; vice-pre-sident, Sir. Johannes C. Andersen j executive. Mrs. Mona Tracey (Christchurch). Misses Jane Mander (Auckland), Eileen Duggan and Edith Howes (Dunedm), and Messrs. C. A. Marris, A. E. Currie and O. N. Gillespie; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. Pat Lawlor.