THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1936 AUTHORS' WEEK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22403, 27 April 1936, Page 10

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1936 AUTHORS' WEEK

Whejj any really good idea is given being, numbers of folk at once ask "Why wasn't this thought of before ? That greeting, it is safe to say, awaits Authors' Week in Auckland, beginning to-day. How good the idea is may not have been fully realised at first by those drawn by their love of literature to embody it in the exhibitions of books, the schemes of associated lectures and the other auxiliary activities organised in the four chief centres of the Dominion. For it has long been taken for granted that a little country, on the edge of the world and very young, could not expect for many a clay" to produce much of literary value, and New Zealand authors themselves have probably been far from optimistic about the prospect of their beloved craft in this country. They may still, indeed, have to wait for adequate recognition, but the promoters of Authors' Week have already good reason to believe that this effort to enlighten the public and incidentally to put heart into New Zealand writers is amply warranted. Lately, at the opening of the Wellington week, Lord Galway warmly commended this Dominion endeavour to spread a literary consciousness in all pertaining to New Zealand, and Sir Harold Beauchamp, speaking for the promoters, -said they were certain that the exhibitions would surprise the public. The fact is that the output, while small in comparison with the importation of books from larger and older countries, has been increasing quietly, until it has attained quite creditable dimensions, and yet some such way as is taken in Authors' Week is needed to make New Zealanders aware of what has been going on. No attempt has been made to place on exhibition all that has been produced, and this limiting adds to the surprise at the extent of the collection. In 'some departments it is usefully complete but in others it is as usefully representative only, and yet the total display is wonderful in quantity and interest. Its variety is equally amazing. "When quality is considered, it is perhaps enough to remember that several New Zealand authors have made for themselves) a sure name in the outside world and that others are winning a place there. Why should it not be so? It may be thought that from a comparatively small population littlu of consequence could come. But that is to apply a fallacious test, falsified by happenings elsewhere. The factor of education is of more importance than mere numbers, and in this respect the general level, in spite of all defects alleged against the school system of this country, is relatively creditable. There is a fairly general ability, at all event:?, in written self-expres-sion, and the opportunity can be expected to increase. It may be that New Zealand still affords its share of proof that a prophet is not without honour save in his own country and among his own kin, but Authors' Week should help to put an end to that unhappy state of affairs, already marked for death. It was inevitable that the earliest books about New Zealand should be written either by European discoverers or by casual visitors interested in this or that aspect of it, inevitable too that for many years immigrant settlers should write all that was intimately descriptive about it. Well was it that so many of these were gifted brilliantly for the task. Those stretches of literature relating to this land had many a peak of distinction, and in Authors' Week they rightly have place. But the interest aroused afresh in these is naturally less than that in the native generations of writers, whether they deal with their own country or venture into iKe frontierless territory of literature to which none need be alien.

No doubt the achievements, or even efforts, of these New Zealanders bred if not born within our own shores will be the subject of most alert comment in Authors' Week, for to them curiosity especially turns when attempts are made to gauge the possibility of our making a mark in the literary world. The future is mainly in their hands. How are they bearing themselves, how faring in the competition for renown 1 Not badly. Some, as everywhere, will have brief hopes and meagre careers; but others, to judge by the widening welcome given by British publishers, to say nothing of a growing opportunity in their own country, can be expected to make good. The work of some of our historians, naturalists, ethnologists aad other scientists is to-day highly valued abroad; here and there are New Zealand writers of fiction, poetry and drama assured of at least a hearing when they submit their work to British publishers; and a new-born enthusiasm of Dominion publishers is a good omen. Authors' Week should do much to encourage New Zealanders to read what New Zealanders write, and thus to stimulate appreciation and hearten effort.