ON DEMOCRACIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 193, 17 August 1939, Page 11

ON DEMOCRACIES.

EARL BALDWIN SPEAKS

Far Most Difficult Form Of

Government.

BUT ADVANTAGES STRESSED,

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 9.30 a.m.) MONTREAL, August 16.

Earl Baldwin, speaking before the Congress on Education for Demoracy, ealled by Columbia University, outlined the common ideals that inspire Britain and America, and the differences of environment and circumstances.

He then launched into consideration of international affairs of the moment. "As the world is to-day," he said, "great events in one continent have repercussions in another. None can live out his life in a walled garden. Democracy itself and government have become a 'great adventure.' No student of history can have any doubt but that democracy is far the most difficult form of government. In the totalitarian State the citizen has only to do as lie is told. The success of democracy depends upon every one realising his or her responsibility to it." Sacrifices for Ideals. Lord Baldwin, continuing, said: "A democrat should work for and be prepared to die for his democratic ideals as Nazis and Communists are for theirs. Every free human institution, if it is to be preserved, needs its watch dogs and no institutions more than democratic government.

"There are some politicians as there are some newspapermen who have contempt for the ordinary man and think that any garbage is good enough for him. The politician may draw cheers and the newspaperman may make money, but power and influence they will never get by such, means."

.The speaker thereafter took up the discussion of "ideas so loaded with dynamite that they may blow systems that appear founded on a rock into fragments," mentioning Bolshevism and Fascism specifically, and stressing that whatever good things may be achievable under them should also be achievable by democracy.

He reviewed the history of the general strike in Britain, and expressed the conclusion that the worst danger from Communism is over in Britain. He then said that Britain has nothing to fear from Nazi-ism and Fascism save if great social suffering occurs, and insisted that "it is when totalitarian countries try to impose its system on people outside of its borders that their action becomes i the concern of free men.

"We have to show the world that we have ideals no less than the rulers of totalitarian States, that our ideals are harder of accomplishment because they are far higher, that they involve co-operation of men of their own free will, endeavouring to work with God Himself in the raising of mankind.

"In the totalitarian State will must be surrendered to the will of one fallible man, and none is fitted for absolute power over the wills of his fellow men."