Welsh Journals

Search over 450 titles and 1.2 million pages

The Farmer- (1) No intention to impose the Irish system, because we do not think the English farmers as a whole are over-rented, and a considerable fraction are paying less than an economic rent. The remedy of the real grievance that the farmer lacks ade- quate security for doing the best with and making the most of the land. Power to the large farmer to come before the Commission when it is proposed to raise the rent or when he can show adverse changes in agricultural conditions (2) Small farmers and holders to have a general right to bring their agreements under review by the Commissioners. (3) A large amendment of the Ground Game Act and a sub- stantial limitation of the abuses connected with the letting of sporting rights. (4) Further recognition of the quite inadequate present present recognition of the right of compensation for disturbance. (5) Further legislative and administrative action to improve facilities for obtaining credit for transport, for co-operation, and for the dissemination of knowledge on agricultural subjects. (6) A Ministry of Lands to absorb and consolidate Depart- mental functions at present scattered and ill-organised to pur- chase and acquire ill-cultivated or non-cultivated land for agri- culture or afforestation." Urban Land- (1) Compensation for improvements made and structures erected by tenants. (2) Lessees under leases granted for more than 21 yrs. to have the right to apply to the Commissioners for renewal of such time, for such rents, under such conditions (regard being had to the equities of the landlord and the rights of the community) as they may consider reasonable." (3) In new leases no buildings put up or improvements created by the tenant to be taken into account in fixing the renewed rent. (4) A national survey of the housing problem in towns which may form the basis of future action by local authorities with enlarged duties and increased powers." Exhibition of It is greatly to the credit of Welsh Art. those responsible for the arrange- ment of the works now on view in the City Hall, that the effect of the ensemble is so little inharmonious, for the task of hanging on the same wall pictures so widely differing in aim and so unequal in achievement must have been no easy one, G. F. Watts and Edward Burne-Jones are great names in the history of British art and it would be superfluous to appraise work which is beyond the range of contemporary criticism. It is sufficient to say that the pictures by which these distinguished artists are worthily represented, giving the rich poetry of Watts on the one hand and the tender dreamy beauty of Burne-Jones on the other, do honour to the works around them and lend a distinction to the whole gallery. For similar reasons we feel disinclined to discuss the important achievements of Arthur Hughes and James Charles, and we shall only mention by name Mr. Brangwyn and Mr. Hughes Stanton, both men of acknowledged position and world-wide reputation. The work of Mr. Augustus John, however, although it has secured the widest re- cognition, will be a puzzle to many on account of its daring originality, and consequently it demands special mention. If pure drawing consisted merely in laborious modelled imitation of form, in the faithful recording of every small variation in direction and the accurate proportion of the whole, thousands of art-students would be first rate draughtsmen. But to express in a direct, sensitive, apparently careless but intensely purposeful line all the large tendencies, all the subtle beauty, all the simple meaning of a contour, this is one of the rarest of gifts, and it is as a consummate master of expressive outline that John takes his place among the greatest draughtsmen of the world. He is peculiarly unequal in his output, ranging from the highest achievement to a negligible scribble, but hardly ever. even in his oil sketches, where the careless paint has left it uncovered, does that flexible outline fail to fascinate and hold. The directness and spontaneity of No. 58 is enhanced by a beautiful colour scheme, while the expressive drawing, the rich harmony, and stately design combine to give the Girl in Purple a monumental quality which stamps it as a work of high distinction. The gallery is dominated by Mr. Llewellyn 8 portrait of the Queen, and it is only because its prominence may give it an undeserved authority that we should be induced to mention such a con- ventional work. It is a life-less soul-less inventory of externals and it is to be hoped that it will not become a model to the rising generation of Welsh artists. In a very different category would we place the work of Mr. Edgar Thomas, and in an age, when we put a premium on inanity and penalise the man with a strong individuality, it is not surprising, however deplorable, that such an intensely earnest and power- ful work as Intellectual Blindness should appear in the catalogue over the words "Lent by the Artist." In Memory's Garden by Mr. Tom Mostyn, there is a perfect riot of rich colour, while the same artist lends a very dignified and lovely portrait of a little girl (No. 42). Mr. Terrick Willi/uns is represented by two fine canvasses, full of light and air. and Mr. Christopher Williams contributes a large subject-picture entitled Why"? The latter work is painted with great freedom and accomplishment, but it appears to be a compilation of impressions received in the studio, and lacks the unity and intensity of a single vision.