ECONOMIC RUIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 13, 15 July 1937, Page 15

ECONOMIC RUIN

CIVIC COMPLACENCY

WARNING TO NEW ZEALAND

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, July 14.

A gitiV'e warnlt.g against the intrusion of "racketeering" into the channels of the New Zealand Administration, criticism of what he termed the "ballyhoo optimism" of indifference, and ■ an■ ■ indictment of civic complacency, were uttered by Dr. F. W. Hart, professor of education at the University of California, in a public address in the Town Hall under the auspices of the New Education Fellowship.

He declared that the price of. civic

complacency was economic ruin, social disaster, and the death of democracy. "Since the end of that tragic war we fought to make the world safe for democracy; we have seen democracies fall like frosted leaves in autumn rain." Dr. Hart stated. "Today democracy is on trial for its life, and unless we, as citizens, take the 'Witness-stand and testify that we are capable of governing ourselves wisely and intelligently, democracy will be banished from the face of the earth. I do. not enjoy the role of alarmist, but the gesise that cackled binder the walls of Rome are credited with having rendered a greater service than all the sleeping optimists within. Historically speaking, I' would have preferred to have been one of the geese."

Despite its wide practice, "ballyhoo optimism" had not turned the tide of depression in the United States, and it had taken millions of dollars to put men back into work. Moreover, it would take millions more to keep them there. False optimism would not save democracy, Dr. Har,t asserted, when he outlined the desperate plight in which 4,000,000 people of the city of Chicago had been placed as the sole result of civic complacency. In 1932 Chicago was morally and financially bankrupt, the Board of Education alone being in debt fqr current expenses to the extent of 134,000,000 dollars, and the whole of the administration being in the hands of the gangsters.

"I want to warn New Zealanders never to allow the 'racketeer' to gain a foothold in their community," Dr. Hart continued. "Like a snowball, once started it develops into an avalanche which is almost impossible to stop."

To combat complacency Dr. Hart urged greater individual and small group study of political, social, and economic problems in order that democratic responsibilities might-be taken seriously. ■ He advocated the formation of fireside forums and suggested that schools might be opened for public discussions in the public schools themselves. He commended the inclusion in 'the curriculum of intensive study of 'problems of .current life in order that 'children might be educated to enjoy 'the full privileges of democracy.