Correspondence

Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 19, 8 October 1941, Page 5

Correspondence

CJVIO ARTCEXTftE 1 (To the Editor.) 3 Slr,—Much 1b being written and " discussed to-day regarding rehabili- > tation and the new order of life 3 after the war. I wonder liow many • realise the value of creative art in > the process of establishing a greater 1 measure of moral stability in the > tommwliyl much energy, can be 1 profita&lyiand. enjoyably spent in 1 the warld of . drama, music and 5 handc?ftf£fi'And it jSijcurs to me that " the absence of a community centre • where these, can be practised is de- > finitely a cultural loss to this young 1 and beautiful city. There is obviL ously a section of the population ' quite uncatered for, viz., the young people who 'do not participate in ! sports or vocational studies after working hours. Other smaller 1 towns are alive to the fact that this need must be filled in their area, and building art galleries, : or using school assembly halls, to meet and develop this side of their civic life. Occupational therapy is now an established method of restoring people of Indifferent health back to the vigour that is the right of every person, and those who are nursing our soldiers are using the means of pleasant expressive work to help them through their convalescence; indeed, the many who have practised it admit that a tem--1 porary slump of nervous energy can invariably be banished by a suitable

hobby or similar form of activity. A civic art centre comprising music, singing, drama and creative work, groups that would co-operate for festivals where the various branches could be combined, could and should be organised here, in Lower Hutt, on good foundations. Such an organisation should be open to help to raise the standard and foster the undoubted latent talent of the postschool citizens, and with right guidance would no doubt help to solve the ' perplexing problem of the use of the extended hours of leisure that are granted to day. This movement should not compete but cooperate in its aim for human progress with all other organisations of like intent, arid should be a smoothly working unit of the city's officially recognised works. The urgency in lauching such a project can be pointed out by reminding ourselves that already some of our men have returned from overseas, and that, therefore, rehabilitation is not something that is ; going to happen, some time in the future, hut some-

auuie n 111 u in me luiuit, uui BUIII**V thing that has already commenced, and when the large numbers of re--1 turned men are coming back to take r up civilian life again, the existence of an organisation such as has been suggested should be sufficiently fori ward in its growth to need only sustaining and not the type or amount of energy required for 1 launching the scheme. Surely there are other citizens who can see the value of a movement in this direc- ; tion, who would give their views, or } ideas, or volunteer to assist with r their special talent or ability in ' bringing Lower Hutt up to the ! standard that Its population and ' future aesthetically require?—l am, ! etc., j 1 EXCELSIOR. Lower Hutt, 4/10/41.