ART AND THE NATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 11

ART AND THE NATION.

ENNOBLING INFLUENCE.

DUKE OF YORK'S SPEECH.

WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 5, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless. RUGBY. May 4. At tho Royal Academy banquet, last evening tho Duke of York, in replying to tho toast of the Royal Family, expressed the opinion that efforts to improve the conditions of lifo in the great industrial centres must start from a belief that ordinary health and contentment are essential to vigorous and successful life in the body politic. In fact no refinements of civilisation could be built upon foundations of misery and squalor.

The arts would not flourish without patronage, said the Duke, and there was no stability of wealth without the general welfare of the people. The fine arts perhaps were the surest sign of genuine civilisation and the greatest memorial that this generation could leave behind it of tho educational value of aVt. There could be no doubt that art was a potent means of elevating and ennobling tho nation's morals, and thcreforo it should bo protected and encouraged by those who had the direction of the nation's affairs.

Replying to the toast of His Majesty's Ministers Lord Parmoor said art culture was as essential an element in the system of national education as the teaching of industry and science. It should stand as a barrier against what was not unfairly designated as the growing mechanisation of human life, and action.

Lord Parmoor said ho felt that the British school of art was not adequately represented in art exhibitions abroad. The Royal Academy and the Government, in co-operation with others, should promote exhibitions in other countries of chosen masterpieces of British artists illustrative of the great master craftsmen at different periods.