HUMAN PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1923, Page 12

HUMAN PROGRESS.

IS OUR CIVILISATION THE RIGHT ONE? . Speaking before the Te Aro (Wellington) Advancement Association at it* monthly luncheon on Thursday, Mr. H. Atmore, M.P. for Nelson, commented on the state of turmoil which existed in the ■world, and said he wondered whether our boasted civilisation was really the ! one best calculated to improve" and ennoble the- hunian race. In 1912 Dr. Freeman, in an American magazine, recorded ttiat in Asia Minor nine cities , had been discovered one under the j other, each representing a distinct civilii sation. It made one wonder, said Mr. I Atmore, which was the right one. Especially did this subject force itself on one's attention when he found the j world as embroiled as it was to-day, and I that in New Zealand one out of every I 240 white people was of unsound mind, J whilst there was only one for every 1400 Maoris. It made one wonder if all the achievements under the present civilisation were all that was claimed for them. In literature and oratory, indeed in all sane mechanics, past civilisations had equalled if not surpassed ours. Did this come of giving way to the democraticspirit of to-day? They did not do things that way in business. The passengers and crew of a boat were never consulted ac to its course. This was only I done in the case of the State—when I the vote of the half-witted cancelled , that of the wisest man in the country. ! Was it not time that they should meaI Bure the relative value of each vote cast?