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New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 791, 17 September 1954, Page 5

Sir,-Mr..Bruce Mason has graciously extended an olive branch and suggests that, although we travel by different roads, we both have the same objective -the furtherance of the drama. In this I fully concur-and go perhaps a little further, embracing the theatre as a whole. It will interest Mr. Mason to know that we have a very live and active Repertory Theatre in Lower Hutt and one of our chief aims is the encouragement and development of younger members, for reasons that are quite obvious. It is when critics are destructive and sarcastic that my hackles rise, because I consider that even in the poorest play or production there is some vital spark that is worth while. Why not look for it, and give encouragement as well as constructive, helpful and kindly criticism? This is infinitely to be preferred to the exercise of wit and eloquence at the expense of people who are probably passionately devoted to the theatre and who need help rather than caustic discouragement and horrid warnings. To Mr. Mason I extend the hand of friendship in all sincerity-reserving the friendly privilege of taking a friend to task if and when he offends my sense of fair play. I make no claim of infallibility, but I will always be vehement in my protests against any word or deed that is wittingly or unwittingly designed to hinder, destroy or discourage the development of the theatre in New Zealand. It is only on my interpretation of what constitutes encouragement that I have crossed swords with Mr. Mason, I accept wholeheartedly his suggestion that we enter the lists together, even though from opposite gates; and provided that we recognise public indifference as our common enemy and fight against it without respite, perhaps our joint efforts may be of value and service to Thespis, at ‘whose shrine we both worship. Baldly speaking, leng or short hair doesn’t matter. The only thing that does matter is the development of the theatre in New Zealand, and with the co-opera-tion of Mr. Mason (and anyone else who is willing) we can go ahead and achieve that aim. To that end I am happy to

dedicate all my efforts. I thank Mr. Mason for a stimulating joust and trust that he hac eninved it ae miich ac T have

done

L. ASSHETON

HARBORD

(Lower Hutt).

(This correspondence is now. closed.

Ed.