ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUET.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 105, 7 May 1907, Page 2

ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUET.

; Australian Art. ' - , Press Association—Copyright. - London, May 5. The Prince of- Wales, • Duke of Conmuight, 'the foreign Ambassadors, Agents-General, .autl Mr:.;Rndyard Kipling were present at ilie Royal Academy banquet iu honbur of the Premiers. The toast of "The Dominions Beyond the Seas" was substituted . for the usual one of Literature and Science. . Sir ,E, Poy liter, in proposing the; toast, referred to the artists of Australasia, and said it seemed certain, that the colonies would soon f have a national' art of their 'own, •; taking, perhaps, itnexpected developments. ' 1 ; ' ! Mr Deakin, in; responding, said that already' they had something native, not merely initiative, but initiative arising, in . Australia., That country laboured under unexpected artistic disabilities. The original settlers were strangers in a strange land, andwere . weighted down with, deep seated Memories of the old country, and blind to the fascination of the. new,- , hence the unexpected note of melancholy. This was false Australian.art. They must look forward not backward. The'vigoar of the people,;,.combined with the stimulating and exhilarating effect of the sunshine and atmosphere, the boundless natural resources and beauties, would, yield better qualities, under the inspiration of a fiery faith in the destiny of their country. '