The Dominion SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1930. A SALUTE TO THE DUTCH

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 20, 18 October 1930, Page 8

The Dominion SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1930. A SALUTE TO THE DUTCH

Wellington is‘honoured this week in a courtesy visit by the naval representatives ot a nation which has made generous contnbutions to civilisation and culture. Compared w,th some oth r countries of the world, the Netherlands appear rather in in the news of the times. The reason no doubt is that the Dutch are a peace-loving industrious people, with a stnet regard for pubhc order, and more concerned about minding their own. busmess than becoming prominent participants in international affairs. In the light of their ancient history this may seem rather sur’orising. Until the Dutch wars with Britain in the time of Cromwel and the Stuarts, the United Provinces were the greatest commercial and maritime State in the world. Their naval might rivalled Britain and in the famous sea-fights of that day, gallant admirals on both sides won imperishable glory. Had circumstances been otherwise they might have been in possession of a vast colonial empire, inc . ing even this country. They were rapidly expanding m the colonial sphere until impoverished by wars and invasion. The name New Zealand” is Dutch‘in origin, for it was a Dutch navigator, Abel Tasman, who discovered it. Even as it is, their overseas territories under keen and business-like administration, have become sources ot great wealth. Life for the Dutch people has been in the past a hard struggle for existence. With their low-lying topographical, conditions they are at constant war with the sea, which at various periods has engulfed whole cities and villages. They are now at work reclaiming the Zuyder Zee, one of the biggest engineering enterprises of. the century. In addition to their natural enemy, they have been many times invaded and despoiled in wars either of their own concern, or used as a convenient arena for the conflicts of other nations. Holland, and, its neighbour State, Belgium, have grievously suffered for being “the Cockpit of Europe.” As not infrequently happens, these adversities have stimulated the nation’s genius in literature, music, and the fine arts. Varieties of tongues prevailed until the sixteenth century, when the unification of the language was signalised by the appearance of the first Dutch grammar. From this’point the literature of. the Netherland States began to develop national characteristics and distinction. Joost van Vondel, their greatest dramatist, also wrote lyric poetry which influenced Milton. But before that time had flourished the great scholar and critic Erasmus, acknowledged the intellectual leader of ms age. Other names in the nation’s literary annals include Hensius, the poet, Grotius, the jurist, and Spinoza, the philosopher. Much of native Dutch genius in music found its way into Germany and Austria. Orlandi di Lasso was, next to Palestrina, tte most famous composer of the sixteenth century. Adrian Willaert was the founder of the Venetian school of music. Consistently throughout the ensuing centuries the musical genius of the nation contributed a notable quota to the world’s culture. Voormolen and Pijper are conspicuous figures of a later era, while Willem Mengelberg, of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, is one of the greatest ot contemporary conductors. . In the fine arts several world-famous figures stand out. Rembrandt and Van Dyck were the giants of Dutch painting. Van de Velde, Van Beers, Jan Steen, Van der Neer, and Van Oostangen, lesser stars in the constellation of art, are nevertheless of international prominence. , r - • Here is the brief summary of a national tradition m civilisation -and culture of which any country might well be proud. As its official representatives, our naval visitors on the present occasion may be assured of a reception appropriate to the achievement of their people.