LESSONS FROM THE WAR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7564, 7 May 1919, Page 5

LESSONS FROM THE WAR.

JHE NEED FOR SELF-SACRIFICE

An address on "Lessons from the War" was delivered at the Unitarian Church by Sir Robert Stout recently. The speaker referred *o the glorious passages of the- war and the terrible destruction which had been Then he told the story of Elijah's ascent into Mount Heron, and how; after the wind and earthquake and *lie tire there came the "still email voice" telling Elijah that his life-worn had not been a failure. . We had witnessed the terrible destruction "Uy storm, fire and earthquaKe, and would He now hear and regard the "voice" telling us our duty and our mission? The problems of JNew Zealand were, in character, the same as those of Jiilipah's times. We had the same struggle for truth and righteousness before vs. The burden rested on each individual; and none could -be neutral or «ieiegate their duty. Hie first equipment of the prophet or social • reformer. was surely as the war had taught; self-sacrifice, living for others. The Health destroyed in the war could only be renewed by tlie sell-sacrifice of the citizens in working iiard and saving. Our waste during the war had been unpardonable. Keasohable pleasure vas necessary, but it was not necessary to' go outside the homes iof it. In reierence to the problem of alcohol, Sir Robert Stout said: "In all the discussions during the recent referendum, it did not seem to me tiiat the principle o£ self-sacriiice was considered. Why should those who can urmk alcohol and not injure themselves, —if any aucu there ve —not agree ior tlie saKe of the weaker citizens whom tlie drug is destroying, to forego the pleasure they get from its user"' ijauyur disputes aiiould be settled' by both sides agreeing to leave the decision to an intliustna.l tribunal. The needs of labour must be recognised. l'Lese needs nad been summarised as (J.) A Itvmg wage; healthy working conditions, prevention of over-fatigue, and care of the lives and health ot the workers ; (3) continuous einploymc-nt; (4) encouraging and maintaining the self-respect .if the workmen; (5), encouraging loyalty to industrial needs; (6) collective bargaining should be mliy recogtuheu; \, / a happy home-life tor the worker should be the aim ot the employers; 1^8) true idealism of lite should be encouraged so that work could be looked upon as social service; (9) the mental development of the worker should be attended to by adult education by proper amusements, and by encouraging an interest in social life. Education was at present receiving great attention. Surely we could train and teach our children wiuiout the :M of denominational schools, which did not n:iike for either jcivic peace or brotherhood. The dominance of truth must be recognised, fare for the race must lie promoted and inefficiency must be reduced if the racu were to endure. In conclusion Sir Robert Stout quoted the report of a recent English Commission emplmsing.the need for action, following the enlarged vision of social fluty gained during the war.