NATIONAL PICTURES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11028, 17 March 1914, Page 3

NATIONAL PICTURES.

SEND THEM ON TOUR. MINISTER FAVOURS THE PROPOSAL. (By Telegraph—Special to " Star.") WELLINGTON, March 16. In a dingy little building sandwiched between a warehouse and tho Seamen's Mission in Wellington the nucleus of a national art gallery is to be found. A number of pictures were bought a year ago from the Bailey exhibits, Irom funds given privately and from national donations, and so few people visit the Wellington gallery that these pictures probably would be better displayed and more appreciated in the galleries at Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland. The question of sending the pictures on a dominion tour was put to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon F. H. D. Bell, to-day by the "Star"- and the Minister readily agreed that it was desirable. The local Art Society, which has charge of the national pictures pending the provision of a national gallery, would, he said, have to be consulted. Mr Bell added that he had received a request from _ Brisbane, Queensland, to exchange pictures on loan, and he had favourably replied. "I am quite content that New Zealand cities should exchange pictures with the Wellington gallery," he remarked, " but I do not know if they would be very pleased with the space they will find in the local gallery.''