A SUGGESTION. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 101, 29 April 1912, Page 8

A SUGGESTION. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — May I be permitted to express my hope that your powerful advocacy of the present great and uniquo opportunity may reach the fullest fruition. As an humble but devoted student of art, I have already spent several hours with the pictures brought out by Mr. Baillio, and with even co slight a present acquaintance, I am impelled to say how profoundly impressed 1 am with the mascerly judgment displayed in their selection, so balanced, as to be of the highest educational .value. There are examples of all modern schools, and <they are by eminent artists and others of evidently .bright promise. Wha£ a splendid commencement of a National Gallery if the whole- collection could be secured — not a picture but worthy of a place. All tastes and moods would be catered for. To accomplish this, or a. near approach to it, will not bo a difficult matter if the citizens do their duty to themselves, as I trust and believe they will, and so secure a joy for ever. Their present and future pleasure will be greatly increased in every instance by their having personally contributed to the full of their ability towards this great work. Apart from the general subscriptions and private donors^ of pictures, would it not be of great interest to the numerous organisations if each were to subscribe and present a picture, such, for instance, as ihe members of each society, of each branch of xho Civil Service, and the employers of each extensive business? I have heard criticisms of the pictures which appear to me 1 to indicate at least undue haste in judgment. I feel that to criticise such work fairly demands sufficient time and study and some modesty to place the critio in harmony with the artist,_ and apart from _ afly question of capacity, I am afraid this is rarely given. — I am., etc., A STUDENT. "Wellington, 29th April, 1912.