WONDERFUL PICTURE

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 84, 7 February 1928, Page 6

WONDERFUL PICTURE

MIDNIG'HT AT MEN IN GATE. OFFERED TO AUSTRALIA. , .LONDON,. January 19. Lord Woo&vington. Iforinerly Sir; James' Buchanan., the distiller, has' bought 'Captain. W- LongstafFs. picture "Midnight at Menin Gate," one* of thei most remarkable allegorical' works of the time. : It is understood that the price paid was 2000 gm-| neas, which is reputed to be a re» , cord for an 1 Australian canvas. f Lord Woblavington has offered to present the picture to the Commonwealth through the Australian High Commissioner, Sir Granville Ryrie, who has cabled to the Prime Minister, Mr Bruoq, recommending his acceptance. Lord Woolayington in &. letter to. • Sir Granville Eyrie, says:—"It seems fitting that this work should find, its home, in Australia. If! you can arrange to hang the picture' worthily at Canberra "|i shoulci| bt« proud' to 1 present it to the Obmmoriweaffch:' as a' tributei' to the gallant Australians who served m the war, and also as a/mark of* my adrniira* tion of the Commonwealth." "The Sydney Sun's" representative understands that the Secretary of .Queensland Office in London, Mr. Pike, first drew Lord Woolavingtos's attention to the picture, and tried j 'to secure it for Brisbane, but Lord I Woolavington thought it ' more; fitJ ting that it should go to the Coin-. I monwealth. It is proposed to exhibit the picture in the chief British and Australian cities, and to sell reproductions on behalf of ex-service men's organisation*. Lord Woolavington has sent a relative ffo conclude the negotiations. This relative, on entering Longataff's studio, exclaimed, "What a great piture. I have never seen anything like it. I fought at Menin with the Scots' Guards, and had charge of tunnelling operations under the Gate."