Mason Embarrassed

The "Patriach of New Zealand Letters," R. A. K. Mason, seemed embarrassed by the effusion of eulogy, and spoke very simply. He called for a New Zealand poetry which is "clear and lucid," and which "speaks in the language of humanity."

In the discussion which followed Dennis Glover called for more satire in our verse writing, "defended" the State Literary Fund (a furtive glance—"is the Minister present?"); Alastair Campbell apologized politely for having ever disagreed with earlier poets; and James K. Baxter sprang to the defence of "difficult" poetry.

This was an auspicious beginning for the newly-reformed Literary Society.

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