TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 76, 30 March 1926, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Iv the names of living sculptors thero is probably none better known in the English-speaking world than that of Sir Bertram Mackennal. Few men hare had their works so widely reproduced. Every household possesses, or has at some time possessed, several copies of his head of King Goorgo V. in silver or bronze, with tho initials "8.M." at the base of the hc.-<\ But Sir Bertram Mackennal .j not known for liia * excellent coinage designs alone. Ha has executed numerous memorials and other works which establish his right to speak with authority upon art and the beautiful. Tho advice which he gave to a gathering in Auckland— that simplicity has a beauty of its own —does not, however, res£upon his name alone. The art of ancient Greece remains to remind us that beauty of line and proportion was perceived more than 2000 years ago. At times simplicity has been lost for a while, and crude decoration has been the vogue. But tho elaborate has rarely endured. We, like St. Paul, are debtors both to the Greeks and tho Barbarians, and sometimes the barbaric desire for adornment becomes _ppormost. To correct this tendency there is nothing moro effective than good truthful architecture in our public buildings and memorials. Tho average man is in the street every day and in the art galleries seldom. It is important, then, that the impression he may gain in this street "school" of art should bo sound and without the grotesque or fantastic, which is apt to confuse. If tho Epstein panel had been hidden in some obscure art gallery it would have been discussed for a few days and forgotten. The fierce contest over its merits arose because it was placed in a public park where thousands could, and did, see it, and went away to protest against such a grotesque memorial to a bird-lover whose whole life and interests were natural and simple. ' *■*'■•■' New Zealand.fisheries experts, led by Mr. Ayson, have achieved notable success in the acclimatisation of quinnat and Atlantic salmon. Canadian oxperts who have seen the results commend most heartily tho work done. At the same time they warn us not to bo in too great hurry to take tho fish. Mr. Babeock advises the prohibition of quinnat-catching for some years to come. Coming from such a quarter the advice should receive respectful consideration. Though successful in acclimatisation we aro yet inexperienced in conservation, and there is certainly a danger that the establishment of an industry may be hindered, by ovcr-oager-ncss. Restrictions, no doubt, would bo (distasteful to the sportsmen whose appetite for salmon-fishing has just been whetted; but the sporting side of this matter should not be given undue weight against the industrial. With a little patience we may yet have sport in full measure, and a new food-supply and a profitable industry as well.

In the courteous and friendly message of the Prime Minister of Japan to Mr. Coates there is expressed a keen desiro for better acquaintance and closer co-operation. New Zealand has replied in the same tone. For some years there has been a feeling in the commercial world that there is scope for incroased trade between this country and Japan without detriment to the Motho..- Country or to the sister Dominions. As yet little has developed from this. Without close study it is impossible to express an opinion upon what tho future may hold. Bj_t it is undeniable that, apart from trade, thero is much to be gained by fostering closer understanding of the methods of tho PanPacific Congress. W^ know little in New Zealand of Apcient Japan, her distinctive art and culture. Po#sibJy the Japanese know ns no better. Without greater knowledge we are not welloquipped to understand tho aspirations of, our great Pacific neighbour. It is therefore desirable that we should sock to understand moro of tho great people whoso national strength has enabled them in little more than a lifetime to establish a great modern Empire upon the basis of an ancient civilisation.