ART AND CIVILISATION

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1930, Page 9

ART AND CIVILISATION

ENNOBLING INFLUENCES. DUKE OF YORK’S IDEALS. (British Official Wireless.) Rec. 5.5 p.m. Rugby, May 4. The banquet at the opening of the Royal Academy was held last night, and there was the usual distinguished assemblage. Replying to the toast of the Royal amily, the Duke of York expressed the opinion that efforts to improve the conditions of life in the great industrial centres must start from the belief that ordinary health and contentment are essential to vigorous and successful life in the body politic; in fact, no refinements of civilisation can be built upon foundations of misery and squalor. The arts will not flourish without patronage, and there is no stability of wealth without general welfare of the people. The fine arts are perhaps the surest sign of- genuine civilisation and the greatest memorial that a generation can 1c i ’e behind it. Of the education value of art here can be no doubt. It is a potent means of elevating and ennobling a nation’s morals, and therefore it shoul -be protected and encouraged by those who have the direction of the nation’s affairs.

Lord Thomson, Secretary for Air, replying to the toast of the Forces of the Crown, said no human being could foresee what the development of armaments would be. One might be dismayed to think a machine might outstrip the human spirit. The soldier, sailor and airman of to-(My were vastly different from the men who joined the forces 40 years ago. They had a different outlook. Many were highly skilled technicians. They had to be men capable ef controlling their nervous system under peculiarly appalling conditions. They were not--conscripts nor mercenaries; they were citizens who had adopted the great profession of arms and were prepared and anxious to live up to their high calling. They were waiting with quiet confidence for any trials which might come. 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 and should stand as a barrier. against what was not unfairly designated as the growing mechanisation of human life and action.' lie felt that the British school of art is not adequately represented in art exhibitio: abroad, and the Royal Academy and the Government in cooperation with others should promote the exhibition in other countries of chosen masterpieces of British artists illustrative of the great master’ craftsmen at different periods.