Argument for accessibility

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32959, 4 July 1972, Page 10

Argument for accessibility

An assurance of continued Government support for the arts—and a plea for egalitarianism in the arts —was made by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Highet) in an unexpected context —the Budget debate in Parliament.

While arguing strongly against elitism in the arts, Mr Highet said that no-one wanted to ram the arts down the collective throat of an uninterested public, or patronisingly to “educate” the public. But the Government was convinced of the importance of the arts, not as an isolated freak show but as an integral part of New Zealanders’ lives,

and wanted the arts to develop and become accessible to all who were interested.

The community as a whole had to be convinced that the arts were a good investment for the country, economically as well as culturally. "Sadly, too many New Zealanders have a distorted idea that the arts are the preserve of the few,” said Mr Highet. “This results in the arts being saddled with the tang of snobbery, and viewed in this sense they become repugnant, alien to the normal way of life, and represent something to be positively resisted. “I regard a love of the arts, in the widest use of that term, as something far more significant and basic than the hobby-horse of an intellectual elite.” The Minister said it could be said that an appreciation of a good horse, good beer and good Rugby was part of New Zealand’s culture. “But it is, too, the choice of the records in your record rack, the books on your bookshelves,” he said. “It may be the hobby you potter around with at weekends, or evening classes you attend, not because of its practical use to you, but because you are interested in it and enjoy it. “It is the cultural deadheads, those who go to be seen and not to see or hear, or above all to enjoy, who do the damage,” said Mr Highet.