AustLit

'In this column, Ronald Campbell explains the reason for the lack of stories by Australian authors: ‘…I want to thank the many readers who have written me helpful and encouraging letters during the past twelve months. War-time brings many editorial problems. For instance, the group of able and regular writers which had been built up prior to 1939 has been almost completely dispersed. The services and war work have also claimed many others, less experienced but of great promise, who would have been valued contributors by now had it not been for those unspeakable triplets, Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo. They will return from their war adventures more powerful and competent writers than they would ever have been in the ordinary course – some of them are destined to put Australia on the literary map of the world in the near future – but their absence certainly complicates the task of producing a monthly issue.’ (p4)