THE NEW VISION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22166, 20 July 1935, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE NEW VISION

SALVAGING CIVILISATION

BY ELS IK K. MORTON

" T am convinced that New Zealand requires a new type of pioneer; pioneers in the mental and moral spheres, who will give us a real outlook and objective." These words were spoken by the Rev. H. K. Arehdall recently in summing up his impressions of the nineteenth century's educational system as the basic cause of much of the world's unrest and strife. The world -to-day, ho said, was suflering because it was not unified and integrated. Until it became that, there was no hope of salvaging civilisation, and until New Zealand got rid of " the slave mentality that was always afraid of the consequences," it could never be the great country it otherwise might be.

A slave mentality—that bitter pill certainly takes • some swallowing! We are so accustomed to thinking of ourselves as a thoroughly emancipated, enlightened, high-sou led and independent people that it comes with something of a shock, this fleecing glimpse of ourselves as seen through the eyes of so keen a commentator, so ardent and experienced an educationist. Perhaps it is just because we are so very sure of ourselves that we have lost something of the old-time vision that inspired the pioneers. When things have gone awry, and we have stirred under an uneasy suspicion that perhaps everything in the national garden is not quite so crystal-pure and goldenbright as we would like to think it, then we have consoled ourselves with the thought that basic causes do not rest with us; we are merely the innocent victims of circumstances over which we have no control. But are we? Have we shown in the past, are we even now showing in the present, in our .handling of the affairs of our own country, any sign of tho greatness of vision of the early pioneers, anything of their driving force, their zeal, their indomitable courage? " Where There is No Vision " Three thousand years ago a wiso king spoke these words: " TV here there is no vision the people perish." The slave mentality carries no vision; it is without hope; it is dull acquiescence. It soars not upward to the stars nor sends its martyrs singing to the stake, as did the greatest vision ever vouchsafed to the eyes of mortal man —that of a world freed, for ever enfranchised from tho bonds of sin-slavery, racial hatreds, unbrotherliness, and contempt of spiritual law. Many to-day aver with scorn that the vision has failed; they make a mockery of martyrdom, pour contempt on tho very names of those who died for the sake of the faith that was in them. But the vision lias not failed. It has become tarnished because men's eyes have been blinded by self-interest and by stronger visions of personal greatness and ambition. The greed and avarice that have forced innocent peoples and nations to their knees have gripped men's hearts in bonds of corroding iron, and they have achieved greatness, wealth and power, while their souls have shrivelled and died within them. Reprobate silver 'and tainted gold,- defiance of eternal, unbreakable laws; for man cannot break these laws, he can only defy them, while they can, and do, break man.

For tbeso words have been spoken and never can they be withdrawn, erased, nor altered: "The silver'is mine and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts."

Suppose we take just those few last words and apply them as a basic law governing and over-ruling not only our existing laws, but our whole conception of material riches? Supposing one nation in all the world to-day were brave enough to do some real pioneering in the mental and moral spheres spoken of by Mr. Archdall, as giving a new outlook and objective? Supposing we New Zealanders, for instance, suddenly visualised riches not as tlio exclusive possession of one class of men, but as belonging to the Lord of Hosts, and lent to men to be used for the good and benefit of all His children? To-day's Sowing

Would we not then find ourselves shamed at the thought of thousands of our brothermen toiling through the years at a pitifully inadequate wage, finding respite onlv when the poor, tired hands are at last folded? Would we allow our aged sister-women to seek in charity the meagre clothes they wear, the very food they eat in a land of plenty? Would we permit thousands of our young men and women to stand bewildered, despairing, at the very portals of life, wondering what they are going to make of it in a world that has no need of their services?

Ten years ago, fifteen years ago, before ever the ugly word "depression" cast its shadow over the world, New Zealand educationists were talking constantly of the menace of " blind alley " occupations for our boys and girls. Now, apparently, there are 110 alleys at all. Yet, within the next few years, what a bitter reaping of to-day's and yesterday's visionless sowing—workin plenty and no trained hands to deal with it! It is the duty of every generation to take thought for those to whom it must soon give place; some of tho gold and the silver must be held ill trust for them, some released, through the vision of wise and beneficial statesmanship, in order to prepare them for its use to highest purpose. A vision is of 110 use unless there be the will and zeal to interpret it in terms of everyday life. The new pioneers must have this'will and strength of purpose to conquer all antagonism of old jealousies and suspicions. There has been broadcast lately an appeal to all Men of Goodwill to take action to free this country from its burden of trouble. It may be broadcast over the air, preached in tho pulpits, published in the press, but there is only one place in which it can take root so soundly and surely that it will bear fruit, and that is in the hearts of the people. An Idealist's Dream? But the vision must be there first, the vision of a people governed no longer by a slave mentality, but one of power and strength, brave enough to face tip to great obstacles, determined to do its part in salvaging civilisation from tho slough into which it has fallen ..." Ah! An idealistic dream." you say, you wise ones! Perfectly true. Yet think of the dreams that have come true when people have worked tor them, suffered for them and died for them! And even harder, perhaps, have lived for them! But what a reward it would bring, what a singing and joy in hearts and lives now shadowed and despairing, what a different harvest from that of to-day's sorry sowing. The pioneering spirit still lives. Tt requires only the torch of Divine power and inspiration to light it once more in the hearts of men, the glimpsing of a new vision that would sweep away tho miasma of self-interest and self-love that have blinded the eyes of the world, so that men would once more see clearly the guiding hand of God and humbly acknowledge His supreme and overruling power in the ordering of their lives, and in the framing of the destinies of nations.