LIFE OF A. R. ORAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22534, 26 September 1936, Page 4 (Supplement)

LIFE OF A. R. ORAGE

HIS INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY Mr. Philip Mnirot, who was associated with Mr. A. It. Orage during the last three years of his work, tolls in clearly defined outline the life-story of the latter. Whether or not the reader is interested in Mr. Orage is a question of mental bias and although he was recognised as one of the most vigorous and lucid exponents of economic philosophy of th* day it is cjuito possible that many will give little thought to his political theories, Some who read this memoir would never presume to discuss social credit, but like the present reviewer, will be interested because they connect Orage with unforgettable literary work. Ihe memoir is primarily 'for those who, knowing something of the man, desire to know more. His intellectual curiosity gave him many interests but undoubtedly his most brilliant period covered his editorship of the New Agd. This was in pre-war days—one of the most exuberant periods in English journalism, and Sliaw, Wells, Chesterton, Belloc and Bennett all contributed to the literary brilliance and political earnestness oi' the New Age. Orage aimed at doing something rather than writing something; language ho loved not lor its own sake but for the use ho could make of it, and perhaps for this reason his position as a writer is unrecognised, for the best from iiis pen lies uncollected, hidden in the New Age files. But there was also an entirely different side to this man. In bis middle life a spiritual strife forced liim to leave his editorship and join Gurdjicff's "institute" at Fontainbleu. He was for over a vear actively associated with this col on v, lecturing most successfully on its behalf through America before returning to England, where he began the New English Weekly, in which he championed the cause of Social Credit. Mr. Mairet's memoir is meagre but unusually satisfying. He shows Orage "championing the newest conceptions, in realist and modernist terms, yet treasuring some ancient wisdom in secret, some immemorial traditions."

"A. R. Orage—a Memoir," by Philip Mairet. (Dent.)