INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19404, 13 February 1925, Page 8

INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. (Pm United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 12. Mr W. M. Page, president of the Institute of Architects, addressing the annual conference, stressed tho importance of education and the establishment of better relations hetwqpn the public and architects. They should not fear, but welcome, a more exacting public, which would be an enormous stimulus ■to architecture. He was unable to understand why buildings should not be criticised as were paintings, literature, and the drama- He would welcome the publication of the truth about buildings. The speaker referred to the active interest taken in architecture by Oxford University, and declared tha-t any educational body which failed to recognise the importance of the subject was failing in respect of one important branch of education. Efforts should he made to raise the standard of general understanding of architecture not only amone architects, but amongst the people. The appointment of a Professor of Architecture at Auckland University was referred to with gratification by Mr Pam. He heartily congratulated the council "on the step taken. It marked the beginning of a new era, and would have a very far-reaching and beneficial effect, especially if the appointee were the type of man he was given to understand he was. Not only would it have a stimulating effect with regard to architecture, but would tend to a better conception of art generally, and could not fail to be of inestimable benefit to tho whole country.