ARTISTS & POLITICIANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 August 1938, Page 5

ARTISTS & POLITICIANS

OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES. “It is remarkable that while our politicians get tamer and tamer —I mean, of course, in the best sense —our artists seem to get fiercer and fiercer,” said Mr Winston Churchill, speaking at the Royal Academy banquet in reference to the resignation of Mr Augustus John. “Some of them find remedy for every difficulty in resignation. The slightest difference, not of morals or of doctrine or, of policy, but merely a question of taste, is sufficient to make an. artist send in his cap and brush. We are very glad the Prime Minister amid his many anxieties has found time and vitality to 'come here tonight. I was rather afraid when I read of some of these happenings to which I have referred that he would have felt he would have to carry out that policy of ‘keep out’ into another sphere. But I am sure he would never have been able to come here if the same intense. standard had prevailed at Downing Street as at Burlington House. Fancy what his life would be if, for instance, two or three of his leading Cabinet colleagues tendered their resignations because I presented some oratorical work at Westminster and he was alleged to have received it with inadequate appreciation. On the whole, on this occasion I find myself on the side of the disciplinarians. Of course, one may go too far. Nd large organisation can long continue without a strong element of authority and respect for authority. There must be in any really effective body—perhaps I trespass on delicate ground in the presence of so many Ministers of the Crown —a 'sense of collective security. It is a broad question whether any measure of regimentation is compatible with art. In another country—which certainly shall be nameless—an artist would be sent to a concentration camp for putting too much green in his style or too much blue in his trees. Even more grievous penalties would be reserved for him if he should be suspected of preferring a vermillion to madder brown. We should all agree that such rigour was excessive over here, but surely there is a happy medium which preserves order, which regulates traffic without hampering the wayfarer.”