THE NEW AGE

Evening Star, Issue 20998, 12 January 1932, Page 2

THE NEW AGE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CREATIVE ARTIST An attempt to indicate the aid which can bo given to the present civilisation by the creative artist—and the opportunities which the changing conditions offer him,—By F. Keith Cheetham, A.A.LA., in the 1 Australian Home Beautiful.’ The end of each great period is for some high tragedy, and for others a wondrous release for fresh activity and now responsibilities. It is a testing time for all people who hold positions of power and trust; for as each new age brings increasing power and opportunity it is necessary to see that the lesser power is understood and properly used before the new power is released. We are in such a period to-day, and the problems of testing and adjustment are with us all day and every day; so that it becomes increasingly difficult to judge present events in their true perspective. By the study of similar periods in history we can, however, obtain an idea of the general development that is taking place, and so prepare for the future with more faith and understanding. In this general study of history there is no phase which is more instructive and interesting than the story of the rise and decline of the Creative Artist, his periods of activity and of rest. In the beginning we have an isolated family unit, wholly dependent on their own man power, and all that they had —all that they were —was the result of their own efforts. At this stage the whole efforts of the community were concentrated ,on obtaining food, shelter, and protection from the dangers which surrounded them, and the work of the Creative Artist was not possible. With the development of the tribe, the increased surplus of man power made available the services of certain of its members for other purposes, and so wo have a new idea of community life. With increasing security and a more assured food supply came a demand for better living conditions, and it is in the elaboration of dress and the development of the primitive homo that the Creative Artist is first met. This factor of release from physical labour—in relation to the necessity of existence only—was the keynote of the evolution of the human race. It is obviously impossible in a limited space fo review in order the more or less well-defined historical periods which have influenced our present civilisation. One or two of the conspicuous landmarks may be mentioned to indicate the idea of progression towards the point at which we have to-day arrived. The signing of Magna Charta, for example, marked a turning point in the roail along which our own people had travelled. It signifies for us the end of the absolute monarchy in England. Hero we have the power taken from one man and given to a small group of feudal lords. They in turn after a period of useful service were displaced, and a Government representative of the people substituted. The development from this period to the present day has been slow and sure, and once again the need for a change is evident. But, in one thing at least we can find satisfaction. Our ruling house has grown with the times and adapted itself to the needs of the people; never has it stood higher in their affection and respect. If it is impossible for all the people to take part actively _in the government, then modern inventions should bo employed to enable the people to hear every word in o r own Parliament. The time for secret government has passed; if every word spoken in our Parliaments was broadcast to the nation many parliamentary abuses would disappear overnight. With the invention of the machine the growth that we have been tracing was accelerated, and it has altered our whole conception of living—and we can confidently look forward to a time in the near future when the great part of the labour of the world will be carried out by machines. The men of vision were quick to senso the possibilities of each new invention, and rapidly built for themselves kingdoms cf trade bounded at first by the small communities in which they lived, but ending in a world-wide market. Before the advance of, this new force, national barriers, customs, languages, and creeds are powerless. To the men who have done this pioneering work has come considerable profit. To the great companies, and groups of companies, has come wealth that a few years ago would have sounded fantastic. But with the inevitable repetition of history there comes the tendency towards a selfish use of wealth and power, and to meet this there is also the inevitable remedy. When power becomes too great it must pass to larger groups. To these organisations there is coming a time of trial —to some it will be a period of annihilation, to others a future of increased action. TANNING FISHING LINES, White fishing lines may bo tanned with gum bark in the following manner:—From a dark-butted gum tree strip sufficient of the green bark to fill three parts of a kerosene tin. Cover the bark with water and boil until the liquid turns a dark colour. Remove the bucket from the fire and place the lines, gill nets, etc., into it, and allow them to soak overnight. The bark may be left in the bucket or it may be removed if there is insufficient room for it. Take tho lines out in the morning and dry thorn. Then they are ready for use. White linos, gill nets, etc., become brown ill colour and last much longer. It is well known that steam engine boilers used in saw-mills last much longer than others because of tho tanning effect of tho gum in the water, which prevents rust and corrosion. The radiators of motor cars may bo preserved against rust if the liquid prepared as above is strained and poured into the radiator after the water in it has been drained out. Leave the. tanning water in tho radiator, and add water whenever necessary, 11,A.E, (Deniliquin).