Foreword

Ladies' Mirror, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 July 1922, Page 3

Foreword

THERE is no stimulus to thought which can compare with reading, so long as the reader brings that attention to his author which intelligence and courtesy alike demand. New Zealanders are great book lovers, the records of sales and of library borrowings demonstrate their powers of absorption beyond argument or cavil. Since reading is the only sure apprenticeship to writing, it must be conceded that throughout the Dominion are scattered many potential authors —mute, inglorious Miltons—who need but opportunity and encouragement to ensure the efflorescence of their powers. Opportunities are notoriously inadequate here, but with the appearance of The Ladies’ Mirror a new avenue is open to all womankind to get into print. Every woman alive has at least one story to tell, even if it be but the plain unvarnished tale of her own emergence from the chrysalis. A slice of life, that is the only enduring literature, and to any who can tell a story, freshly and with revealing

candour, we will offer the glad hand of welcome. And not with the pen alone; artists of the brush or the camera are cordially invited to send us something of their best, and we, in return, will send such financial encouragement as will, we hope, result in a firm determination to carry on the good work. Anything of general interest to womenfolk will be fully considered. We want the true co-opera-tion of the sex, and therefore we urge any of our readers who have literary or artistic talent to take advantage of this new opportunity, and to submit their work to us for perusal, with the promise that everything sent in will receive its full meed of consideration. The published literary work of New Zealand will bear comparison with that of any part of the world, when relative size and accessibility to markets are considered, and to the mass of literary talent awaiting a vehicle of expression we say emphatically, “Here is the opportunity presented to you.”