STATE-AIDED MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 296, 3 September 1918, Page 6

STATE-AIDED MUSIC

NEW SOUTH WALES MINISTER ON ' ART AND THE NATION.

At the New South Wales Music Conservatorium's annual prize-giving last week the Hon. A. G. 1 ,1 . James, Minister of Education, emphasised the point that unless the people learned to oxpress their emotions in terms of art, they would never become a great nation, and from that starting point ho dwelt upon the fact that Now South Wales was leading the way in the British Empire with a State-aided Conser-' vatorium of Music. For his part, lia did not know why such an institution should bo expected to "pay" any mors than the Department of Public: Instruction. However, since tile question had been raised, he would like to. mention, as proof of steady progress even in that direction, during the brief two find a half years of its existence that last year £13,000 had Keen spent, and £11,200 had been returned under the director's management. Meanwhile' a sound taste in music was being developed. In furtherance of that high aim, it was also necessary that the musical training in ojir State schools should be extended. At present it did not seem to go beyond a littlo choir singing. Ho cordially agreed with Mr. Verbrugghen's proposal that selected children of talent should bo encouraged to take up instrumental imisi», as possessing a refining and generally beneficial influence upon the development of character. In. this connection he would like to see an Act pussed for the proper registration oT teachers, as in other professions... Another matter of tho future was that tliß Conservatorin in Orchestra and quartet should from time to time visit the chief centres of the Stnte, where the already existing taste for fine "music would be rapidly and incredibly increased. ;' Meanwhile the lack oF funds hampered the necessary enlargement of the existing building. At the present juncture he could not advance these various projects rapidly He was rather like the bashful suitor, who, with his arm at last round tho adored olio's waist, ventured to "doubt whether ho was making much progress." "No," she replied, "but at least you nre holding your own!" (Laughter.) That was tho best any Minister could expect to do in such troublesome times. (Applause.)