NEW ZEALAND POETS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 104, 4 May 1935, Page 34

NEW ZEALAND POETS

MISS DUCCAN PRAISED

Father C. C. Martiridale contributes to the "Month," a Catholic journal, a flattering appreciation of Miss Eileen Duggan's "New Zealand Bird Songs," writes our London correspondent. After quoting extensively from these delightful verses Father Martindale says:—

If a poet come from New Zealand, I want him (or her) to be New Zealandish. lam glad and astonished if a Mr. Arnold Wall can so terribly well assimilate an ancient English house that has died; if Mr. Frank Harris draws delight and encouragement from Sparrows (exactly as "we" might): if Miss Langley (even though ; somewhat learnedly, I feel) appreciates the Minoans, and indeed, a too-romantic Arabia; and Mr. Hyde could write "Thalatta," not to mention "English Riders" and the "taut English look of deep-cut pride" ... and I've carefully read quite a lot more of New Zealanders' poetry, .even when it's about emotions just like what yours are when startled by eternity, love, universalism, antiquity, or what-not. And I wish I could remember who the New Zealander is who wrote so intuitively about Bach. . ... But I am especially moved by anything "New Zealand," and I am grateful to God that people aren't yet all exactly like one another, and after all they never will be, in spite of Russia and Russianising dons, but no one save New Zealanders can really reveal New Zealand to us—so please let them!

I think Miss Dugganisan artist: she can manage' words and sounds. She has her moments^-as Mr. C. J. Dennis had (he r/rote the "Sentimental Bloke" and also "Ginger Mick," because he reacted to the true Australia- and the true war; because he was "het up," he got down—or up—to the Heal Thing—even in "Digger Smith," an aftermath, he did so-rbut he never did it again) but Miss Duggan's moments, once they are due to something New Zealand-ish, last for hours, or for always.