MODERN LIFE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 111, 10 April 1929, Page 7

MODERN LIFE

BURDEN OF MATERIAL THINGS. LITERARY REVIVAL PREDICTED. INTEREST IN BRITISH COLUMBIA CONFERENCE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) Received April 10, 8.25 a.m. VANCOUVER, April 9. Addressing the conference of the National Council of Education to-day, Sir Archibald Strong stated: “Life to-day is staggering under a burden dazzled by gold and by material things. But to hold that such a condition is permanent is as wrong as to deny the presence of such a burden. The whole history of the past is ground for belief that there will be a, literary revival. Wherever there is suffering, wherever there is faith in life, the higher spiritual values are still alive. Time is common to all, but leisure is the priceless property of civilised man.” The speaker sketched the history of English literature. Referring to the changed conditions, Sir Archibald Strong stated that the greatest tragedy of literature was the divorce of the poetic drama from the theatre. Sir Archibald stated that the best means to overcome the situation would be to establish national theatres. Mr George Jeffrey, of Adelaide, urged that Canada should pay more attention to sheep raising. Mr Jeffrey added: . ,~, , “These British Columbia hills will be grand for sheep, but as long as you don’t think so we shall be glad to ship you wool and mutton from Australia. ’ The conference has aroused tremendous interest. Thousands are being turned away from tho meetings.