LEVEL WITH BLACKS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11121, 3 February 1930, Page 5

LEVEL WITH BLACKS

ASTONISHING CLAIM FOR NEW

ZEALAND

POLISH PEASANTRY OF TO DAY

OPINION OF AUCKLAND CLAIM* ANT TO TITLE

PRODUCES BETTER POETRY THAN SHAKESPEARE

WRITTEN SOME HIMSELF!

(Recen/ed Feb. 2, 5.5 p.nt.) LONDON, Jan. 3

According to Count Geoffrey De Montalk, a young AuokTamfer claiming an ancient Polish title, who came to England fromi the Dominion in 1928, to boost New) Zealand poetry, the peasatry of Poland are still in a worse state of civilisation than the Maoris before the white occupation. Count de Montalk says that after a vjsit to Lithuania and Poland he found that:—

"The nobles are still the only civilised people. When we’met peasants Walking or riding , they bow" ed to the ground, exclaiming, ’Good day, mighty lords.’ It is still the practice to address the nobility as ‘mightiest.’ The common people are no better than African natives, except they are white in color. I was the first member of the de Montalk family for three generations to enter the Polish palace. I am glad I am a New Zealander With no need to remain in that mediaeval land.”

Count de Montalk told a literary audience at Foyle’s bookshop, in a lecture, that New Zealand had produced ibetter poetry than William Shakespeare ever thought of. The audience was not impressed, even when the speaker mentioned he had written some himself.