Introduction by J. Le Gay Brereton: 'The aunt of a well-known Australian poet once told me that her nephew read nothing but penny novelettes - those were the days of Deadwood Dick and the great inventor, Frank Reed - and that she was careful to keep him well supplied lest he should come under the influence of finer literature and thereby lose the originality of his style. She was one of the many critics who are convinced that literary talent is cramped and discouraged by a university training. No university can create genius, and poets, thank heaven, spring up in the most unlikely quarters. A frank consideration of the best Australian poetry will convince the unprejudiced that, so far, the universities have contributed a fair proportion; and I hope that this little book may be regarded as a promise that their future share will not be less in quantity, power and beauty. In a selection from the scanty work of so many young writers there is bound to be inequality of merit and some crudeness, but I hope that on the list of contributors there are names that will not soon be forgotten by those who watch with interest the growth of our national literature.'

The Preface states: 'Our thanks are also due to Professor Brereton, of Sydney University for his Introduction; to Mr E. H. C. Oliphant, who made the final selection of verse; and to those professors, lecturers and students who have been responsible for the collection of material.'