WAR MEMORIALS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 274, 19 November 1945, Page 4

WAR MEMORIALS

The thoughts of many people are turning to proposals for war memorials, but before any steps are taken in this - direction I would beg consideration of this idea. I would ask our opulent Government, since it can afford to buy such, expensive items as banks, to set aside at least £250,000 to establish and encourage the arts in the Dominion. In each of the four centres there should be a building, or buildings, where all the arts could be sponsored, assisted and encouraged. We need this to raise, not the standard of living, but the standard of life, as a memorial to our gallant sons and daughters who have missed so much since .1939. In the Canital City there should be a temple of all the arts, with a large modern stage and sufficiently large auditorium, where a National Eisteddfod could each year witness the final competitions for winners from the four centres. The prizes for excellence in these final competitions should be generous travelling scholarships. One condition should be attached to these scholarships. The winners should be bound to return to the Dominion for a specified period. Might not such a scheme raise .our electors to a more intelligent plane? Would not a more healthy outlook on life react physically, thus lessening the need for hospitals? JESSIE B. LUSH.