AUSTRALIA’S CULTURE.

Evening Star, Issue 23950, 30 July 1941, Page 12

AUSTRALIA’S CULTURE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In a report of a talk given to the W.E.A. Literature Class by Mrs Dunuingham on the Australian novel you quoted her as saying : “ Wo must realise that culturally Australia is very (backward, and in addition self-satisfied and complacent. Yet one outstanding work has come from Australia.” In refuting this swooping and entirely unsubstantiated statement the only trouble is whore to begin and when to stop. First, the unbiased opinion of Mark Twain. “ Australia is fertile in writers whoso books are faithful mirrors of the life of the country and of its history. The materials are surprisingly rich botli in quality and in mass, and Marcus Clarke, Rolf Boklrcwood, Gordon, Kendall, and the others have built out of them a brilliant and vigorous literature and one which must endure.” ■ A list of some of the others would include .Richardson, Lawson, Tom Collins (Joseph Furphy), 10. J. Brady, Mrs .Eneas Gunn, G. B. Lancaster, Ethel Turner, Miles Franklin, etc. The list becomes a formidable one when a few poets are added —“ Banjo ” Paterson, Victor Daley, Evans, Kendall, Gordon, etc. Norman Lindsay is an outstanding genius. His novels, black and whites, and water colours need no introduction. Australian singers are second to none, ami many have gained international distinction; witness the late Dame Nellie Melba, Marjorie Laurence, Florence Austral. Amy Castles, Peter Dawson. John Brownlee, etc. Percy Grainger is well known as both pianist and composer; his contemporaries, both pianists and instrumentalists, are too many'to enumerate. The presence over a number of years and the number of return visits and concerts given is an indication of how music-loving Australians have recently received the visiting artists.

The late Paderewski toured Australia on at least three different ■ occasions. Galli-Curci, Dame Clara Butt, Hambonrg, Heifetz. Yehudi Menuhin, and Kreislcr aro all well known to .Australian audiences. There arc conservatories and chairs of music in all the leading _ cities, and every town boasts its musical societies, whoso performers have no mean talents. Space does not permit even a brief review of the distinguished careers of actors and actresses on the Australian stage. The pictures by Australian artists that have hung in national galleries are not a few, nor arc; the sculptors lacking representation. The vast realms of sport must also remain untouched, but the thought of tost cricket and Davis Cup tennis conjures up thoughts of brilliant achievements.

The Royal Society of New South Wales was formed as far hack as 1821, and the other States rapidly followed the example. Numerous scientific societies flourish throughout Australia today. The policy of a “ White Australia ” is not merely a political plank, ft has as its underlying reason the desire l to keep the moral tone and standard of living high—and it has.—l am. etc., Advance, Australia. July 26.