Vew from the chair: Speeches of Richard WL Austin

5 Outside speeches and miscellaneous speeches There were a number of occasions when Richard Austin spoke at events taking place outside the Gallery. The topics included an address to the Australia-Japan Society, a tribute to former Director Raoul Mellish, an address on Melanesian art, the eulogy at the funeral of architect Guilford Bell, the Mark Hoare Anzac Day Oration, and the occasional address at Griffith University when students from the Brisbane College ofArt graduated from the University for the first time after the merging of the two institutions. I 'Don't Refuse to Sit on the Floor'. Address to the Australia-Japan Society, I June 1989 Before I start, I have to admit that I made a resolution last New Years' Day that, in deference to advancing years, Iwould accept no more invitations to speak in public, other than in the strict course of duty. But resolutions are meant to be broken. Therefore, when our President asked me if Iwould talk to the Society about Japan, I readily capitulated; because, if I am to speak at all, Iwould rather speak about Japan than about any other subject.' For many years I have been fascinated by Japan-its people, its language, its art, its food, its way of life-and I have an abiding affection for the country itself. As soldier, diplomat, businessman and art collector, I have had occasion to observe the Japanese at their best and at their worst, and at most positions in between. Today I propose to speak frankly, I hope that what I have to say will not give offence to anyone in the audience; If it does, let me assure you it is not my intention that it should, but, as they say, if the cap fits wear it. The title of my address, 'Don't Refuse to Sit on the Floor', is based on an incident which happened more than thirty years ago but which is still sharply etched into my memory. In 1956 I was serving in our Embassy in Tokyo when the Prime Minister, Mr Menzies (as he then was), made his first and only visit to Japan. Now, a Prime Ministerial visit is, as you can imagine, quite something, and the Embassy had taken endless pains to arrange what it believed would be a suitable programme for him and his entourage, none of whom had ever visited Japan. We awaited his arrival with anticipation mixed with some trepidation, because Robert Gordon Menzies was certainly a formidable figure. 136