THE CALL OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 162, 9 July 1907, Page 8

THE CALL OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.

LECTURE BY.DR. DAVID STARR

JORDAN.

TheTe was only a fair attendance at the - Choral Hull last night, when Dr. David Star Jordan, President of the I-eland Stanford University, California, delivered an interesting address under the auspices of the' Auckland University College. Tlie selected subject was "The Call of the Twentieth Century."

. His Worship the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. A. M. Myers) presided, and in introducing the lecturer said he -was sure they all felt greatly honoured by Professor Jordan's visit. His reputation had already preceded him, and they felt it a great privilege to listen to him. (Applause.) Ho (Mr. Myers) had been requested by the Yiee-Chairinan of the. University Council to extend an invitation to all interested in education to attend a lecture to students in the Art Society's Hall this evening. (Applause.) The lecturer, •who was received with cheers., said he had never looked upon New Zealand 'n any sense as a foreign country. He felt that in America they were part of Greater Britain—of the English speaking people and self-govern-ing people—people that would in time teach the world to govern itself, and "who -were bound in time to see the ■whole world get peace. If they stood together they could surely do that. ■Whatever England might be, her greatness did not consist of spinning machines and things she did at home. It -was her influence all over the world, and if there were any more worlds that England could get at she would have the same influence thera. (Applause.) THREE GREAT QUESTIONS. Regarding the twentieth century there -were three questions they had to ask. They were: "What kind of a century it -was going to be? What kind of work it had for young men to do? and "What kind of young men were going to be wanted for that work. The twentieth oentury, which had come with >uch a rush, was going to be distinguished, it was going to be more strenuous, more complex, more democratic. Theodore Roosevelt was the first to give us for a watchword "strenuous life." and he had done much to raise that to the dignity ■of-purpose. The great discovery of the 19th century was the reality of external things. Before then people had a ■vague notion that things which they saw -were just apparitions and not worth v/hile considering. In the 19th century people began to realise that things about them were actual and genuine, and that ■ behind them were tremendous forces, and ; that if we put our human forces in the line of these great forces, they would do great things for us, and that if we put them across the line they would be swept away, and so man began to find ■out about electricity. We did not know what it was yet. We began to'find out -what great things could be done with the great expanse of steam, and discovered things that made the "19th century stand out ail alone compared with previous centuries. The world was now very small. We all drew in to each . other. The great Home country could not live a month if it were not for the other countries which lay around. There -haal arisen a"'great bank of human kindness, and any draft made on that bank :in any part oi the world -was always ; lonanred. i TRADE THAT BINDS. Trade was one of the things that could be counted as being worth while in the world. It had done much to bring the nations of the world together. Life was now so strenuous and complicated that it must be democratic, and when -we want things doing now we had to find a man who could do it. That was the essence of democracy. They did not want to look around and find the son of Lord —this, or Senator that, or Earl so-and-so. They did not care who lie was so long as he was educated in the university of life.. They wanted to find a man who could do the things that could be done. New Zealand was trying- experiments, and all the rest of the world was looking on to see how they turned out. If they turned out right it would be because they put them in the hands of men who knew how to carry those things out without wasting time or strength. THE GKEAT DISCOVERY. The great discovery of the twentieth century was going to be that a straight line was going to be the shortest dis.tanee between two points. Democracy meant opportunity. It really meant equality .of' start —fair play at the beginning of the game. There never was a time in the history of the world when there was such eagerness to give help to young men that could hold and carry a message to "Garcia" without asking any unnecessary questions—who could find ~out for themselves. There was no good in going into anything without some brains and more honesty. He went on to refer to the many opportunities open to young men in mining engineering, electrical engineering, the law, church, and other professions. HIGHER EDUCATION. The time, he said, would come, and \fas coming now when New Zealand •would give 20 to 30 times the money it now spent on higher education. If there ■was nothing on earth worth -while for them to do they should get under it, and help to-inspire the cabbages. (Laughter.) Whoever was not well .employed counted as an idle man, and an idle man was worse than no man at all. A generous education should be the birthright of every young man and young v.-oman in a self-proverning community. They wanted a university training that ■would fit them for the things they were going to do. The watchword of the present day university training was not "culture"' but "effectiveness." A man with that training would save ten years of his time. The primary schools would Eever be- adequate until they had the university drawing them on. The twentieth deutury demanded men of character. The day of the smart "wire pulling" man was past in a self-governing country. Such a man was bound to fail, if he only lived long enough. The twentieth century was also going to demand a loyal man. A man's duty was to look after bis employer's interests. If he could not do that he should hire himself out to someone else, or go into business on his own account. (Applause.) The twentieth century also demanded a cheerful, hopeful man. ~ . M,! he conclusion of the lecture a Tote of thanks to the lecturer was carried by acclamation.