AUTHORS' WEEK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 102, 1 May 1936, Page 8

AUTHORS' WEEK.

AUCKLAND ADDRESSES. KEEN PUBLIC INTEREST.

Large attendances were present to hear a further series of addresses given yesterday in the Art Gallery in connection with Authors' Week. Miss Iris Wilkinson (Robin Hyde) spoke in the afternoon on "The New Zealand Writer and His Audience." In the evening, Mr. R. A. K. Mason, gave an address on "The Future of New Zealand Literature," and Dr. W. S. J. Dale spoke on "Maori Influences on New Zealand Literature." A song recital arranged by Maori girls from the Victoria College proved very popular.

Miss Wilkinson, who is well known as a poet and an authoress, spoke of the need for a better understanding between the writer and his audience. There had always been prejudices against authors, she said. Many really good works had not received the support they merited, while other works of lesser merit were popular. There definitely was literary talent in New Zealand, while few countries possessed youthful poets whoso works compared with the merit and magic of the writings of Miss Gloria Rawlinson.

Freedom of speech should be encouraged as a means for ensuring a development of literature, contended Mr. Mason. Auckland artists need not be dismayed when they thought they were being derided, ostracised and ignored. Such had been the experience of all the great artists through the ages.