WELLINGTON COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 133, 1 March 1929, Page 13

WELLINGTON COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

Sir, —The annual report of the Wellington Competitions Society, as recently published, is a matter for general congratulation. The debit balance is to be regretted. Still, Wellington citizens, recognising as they do the advantages to their children in competing at the society’s gatherings, will, I feel sure, rise to the occasion, and soon wipe Off the deficit, and thus prove in a practical way that the citizens of Wellington are in no way responsible for the pessimism of some, who say: “Competitions don’t pay.” Such pessimists evidently forget that competitions are not held to train competitors for the vaudeville stage, but to advance and inculcate in our children the desire to study, and also delineate the best in literature, drama, and music, both vocal and instrumental. They also ascertain whether the training of our children is on the correct lines and methods. The programmes of the Wellington Society compare more than favourably with those of overseas centres. Unfortunately, to my mind, some citizens are more concerned about the economic question than “art for art’s sake.” I recall to memory some remarks made by that noted educationist, Colonel W. V. R. King-Fane, at a prize-giving ceremony, Stamford, England: “The economic question was making it very difficult for the educationist. Some people held that education should cease at 12 years of age, but they were easy folks to deal with. A more difficult class of man was the one who asserted they were not getting full value for their money. The value of education could not be summed up in £ s. d. Those who had closely studied the subject took a much wider view of education. Also, I should like to remind any economic pessimist that the greatest of our entrepreneurs have had their .financial losses, but they have had faith and loyalty, which always overcame deficits. Wellington citizens are well aware that finance is required: so is the Competitions Society; and the citizens will show their faith and loyalty in the society’s programmes by providing the necessary finance to develop in their children the finer arts, and also the ability to perform before people in an easy and graceful manner. How much more dignified, interesting, and successful would be the debates and negotiations taking place in our Parliamentary halls and civic chambers, if many of those appointed thereto had had more opportunity to take part in competitions. I tender all good wishes to the personnel of the Wellington Competitions Society, which needs no eulogy from my pen. firmly believing their enthusiasm and “carry on” policy will ensure the 1929 session reaching the zenith of success. —I am, etc., MARY BOYLE BARCLAY. Wellington. Fabxujtsy 2Z.