POETS IN SESSION

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 21

POETS IN SESSION

'Australian-writers giving readings of their work .attracted'a very large-at-tendance at a'recent gathering in Sydney. There was an overflow in the corridors.' When introducing Dora Wilcox, who read a,set of her war poems, wherein special reference was made to Anzac Day, the • chairman, Mr. H. Green, said:. "Although originally a New Zealander, Miss Wilcox soon discovered the error of her ways and became a good Australian!" R. D. Fitzgerald, representing a younger group of poets,: and after reading several of his verses, won the encomium from Mary Gilmore 1 that he was one of few Australian writers who really understood the: meaning, of subtlety in his work. "Most of us work ;on>the surface,'" sho said. When reciting 1 the lament of aii aged aboriginal for his lost tribes, Mrs. Gilmore, who' has always manifested great interest'in-the welfare of the native people :and their culture, commented/upon the fundamental similarity of their language to the ancient Gaelic; BodericQuinn dealt with what he termed a fatal theme' to all versifiers, good, bad, and indifferent—spring. Professor le Gay Brereton read an essay In which he expressed strong disapproval of kicking, even, a ball. R. J.; Bloomficld, a former member of the "dusk and morn" club, Bpoke of the charm of ''the grand grey gunis.'' ,Steel Riidd denied that he would use- any portion of "On Our Selection," and read instead an amusing .satire on city life entitled "The Miserable Clerk." - •