CIVILITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 33, 8 February 1930, Page 17 (Supplement)

CIVILITY.

RETROGRESSION IN MANNERS.

A REGRETTABLE TENDENCY.

(By JOHN ROSS.)

Civility is a state of being distinguished and opposed to rude or barbarous conditions, therefore, to be civilisedwhet her it be applied to a well regulated nation or individual person—implies an advance in worldly knowledge and training, as apart from the rode and savage state of mankind.

In all paths of human life civility imparts the "Hall mark" of intelligence and refinement. A suave and pleasant disposition in one is often the means of making a disagreeable and discourteous person affable and amiable. Civilitv enters into almost every phase of our lives, embracing the ancient ynrtues, prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude. We have to thank Confucius for the moral ethics which guide our lives to-day. The Chinese people are a living example of the precepts of moral practice. Confucius was a moral teacher; he claimed no divine mission, or promised future rewards. He taagnt love of country, truthfulness, fair-deal-ino- and courtesy. The Chinese are not understood by the Westera Nations. One must visit China before judging this nation of gentlemen. They are a most I polite and honourable race. There is no ! cruelty in that country and no need for a society for the prevention of cruelty I to animals and no institution to protect women and children. Confucius taught these precepts and the entire [ nation practise them to-day. Some old institutions are being critically examined—not to abandon old bel'iefs and traditions —but with a view to augment them with modern research. We must cultivate a sense of social duty which includes all.tha above virtues together with the "golden rule. < t was apparent to me, on my return to •NTew Zealand, that we have neglected our social duties.; our. good manners are lagging behind. An eminent writer, who visited this country, has said that, when he tendered his fare on a tram, .he thanked the conductor when receiving j a ticket, but there was no responsive thanks for the fare. , ! What is the cause of our supping back in our manners? which is specially noticeable in the newer and freer lands of our Empire. Unquestionably them is a visible change daring the past, twenty years. Whether it be the; modern method of teaching —which has been discussed at length by boards ol: education, teacher* and educationists— or whether ifc he social, ethical and political changes which have caused our retrogression, is a perplexing subject. We all agree that the object should be to. train, our youth to be happy, efficient,: cultured and withal, civil and courteous citizens. A jarring note on parental ' control was strnckby Mr.- Jacks, head-

master of Mill Hill School, London when addressing the New Year Educa tional Conference; he said —"It was t pathetic part of the schoolmaster's worl Lfthe beginning of each term to have ,o undo what parents had done m the lolidavs, in the belief they were giving ;he children a good time/' The trend of the times has been evi ienced in the recent session of our pre,ent Parliament, where some honourable nembers have indulged in reckless re■riminations, irritating heeklinj,, S®, needless and heedless innumloes have been thrown across the Ami ,f the House with wanton prolusion, Jxe younger members of the House being Jje chief trangressors. It is not my purpose here to castigate )r appear hypercritical, but I wish point out that although the ebrilienw A -youth must have the "contest ot a } a y» this wordy contest should be contacted in chosen words of civility anc : air play. Sarcasm and y idicu^ e a . rc langerous weapons in untrained hand*. aSdstone and Disraeli were opposed o each other throughout their political issociation, but their were :ouched in oratorical exactitude, always ivoiding the pitfalls of personalities. To those who deal' with social ana political problems 'twould be well f -hem to exercise a restraining and dis■riminating bearing towards others from Zm they differ. To be a + successfu salesman, one must study the mjstic irt. In America large business con■erns employ lecturers to educate the smployees how to sell. They are tau ht iow to comport themselves, or as the Americans say "sell your self firstThere is* vast field ofknowledgetob icquired; one must have a technical .raining on the subject of his w^ re ' vhether it be engineering appliances or ;roceries. In England an institution ias been opened where instruction is riven to grocers' assistants. To get to ■he top of this calling, one must pass several stiff examinations before receivne his "3LA-" in groceries. One must mow every article in the shop, where it romes from, where it is grown orjmade, tfs history and its use; civility and ■curtesy rank as the first essential qualities of an efficient sales clerk. As the resut of a questionnaire askns customers what induced tnem to ■eturn to the same salesman it was found that the most attractive qualities ire interest, courtesy and pleasing personality. It would be well for this nation to itudy the social system of France, where politeness, unbounded civility and $e gracious arts are practised. Gallan;ry and. ancient chivalrous conduct have jeen retained, and the respect _ for womanly dignity and purity are jealrasly guarded. Therefore, let our lives ie guided by temperance in speech, noderation in our actions; bring more sincerity and less smug complacency nto our daily acts. Be just! let justice, dndness and civility be the ruling factors in our minds; we shall then wind rolden threads of love around our friends' hearts, besides earning the xteem and gratitude of our country tod feDowman.