WIDER VISION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 11, 14 January 1944, Page 4

WIDER VISION

IDEALS CHANCELLOR'S PLEA (Special). CHRISTCHURCH this day An appeal to educationists, philosophers, scientists, religious teachers and civic leaders to launch an educational campaign which would unsparingly expose and vigorous y denounce" all tendencies that would weaken or sabotage the Processes and ideals of true democracy, was made by the Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, the Hon. J. A. Hanan DC L to-day, in his annual addi ess to the' Senate of the University He advocated a well-planned of liberal education complete and continuous, designed for the highest human well-being. "It must be one that touches upon the wide range of life and develops the all-round man," said the chancellor; that is to say, it must be something more than an education and training for success in an occupation or in the affairs of daily work. To aid in this vitally important direction educational processes must aim at increasing knowledge, broadening the mind, widening the vision, stimulating clear thinking, creating a legitimate respect for law and order, encouraging forms of conduct ethically and socially valuable, training for physical fitness, and developing those inner sources of strength which express themselves in a strong personality, going on to wider reaches of Ihoiight and purpose and to larger and higher ideals of life and duty. "To all these elevating ends essential to the training for life of healthy democratic citizens, education must deliberately and constructively dedicate its wisdom and strongest influences. As a further requirement there must be education for that discipline which prizes and develops resourcefulness, initiative, and responsibility in each individual. Education has also the responsibility both to teach and to demonstrate that the enjoyment of civil liberties places obligations upon the citizens to exercise" these liberties under canons of goodwill, fairness and devotion to the common welfare. The person who Abuses his liberties for malevolent, unjust or selfish ends jeopardises the civil rights of all citizens."

National Character Mr. Hanan said there were strong grounds for making the subject of biology an essential one in a modern syllabus of education, for it was of the highest importance that young people should have some elementary knowledge of the laws of life and of the infinite variety' of ways in which those laws' manifested themselves. He recognised there were difficulties in presenting a suitable course and providing a complete type of teaching and a sufficiency of teachers with the requisite qualifications. "It cannot be too strongly emphasised," continued Mr. Hanan, "that the keynote of the vitality, the progressive power and greatness of a nation lies in the national character, which should be based on courage, moral fibre, self-reliance, initiative, perseverance, wisely directed creative energy, enterprise, temperance, prudence and thrift. Without these strong pillars of character as a spiritual base, a country stagnates and enters upon a period of decline and fall as did ancient Rome. "No high attainment, either in individual or social life, can be won or sustained on the side of human progress without faith, discipline, foresight or resolute effort, which are essential as mainsprings of high endeavour and great achievement. Nor should we forget that prosperity and happiness which we all seek must be found in individual effort and individual right living and right thinking. Here the point cannot be too strongly made that unless education in the building of virile character is imparted to the child in the home and the example is set by parents there for the formation of good habits and of disciplined conduct, flowing from those ethical and spiritual principles which are the living sources of a true democracy, all progressive political and economic movements will be based on a foundation of shifting sand. Adult Education "Every encouragement, therefore, should be given to the movement for adult education. This should include a wide variety of the most valued forms of training, among which I would like to stress two aspects—training in the duties and responsibilities of parenthood, and that wider civic training which may implant in the mind an ardent desire, and moreover a capability to give to the community the efficient service of good citizens.

"We are heirs of a great past. This heritage has come to us, and it is our solemn duty to hand it down unimpaired by aught that would lessen its honour, power and glory. To us by virtue of the deeds and sacrifices of our gallant fighting men from whom we may draw inspiration, there is coming, never fear, an opportunity to build up a greater future on that past and to give new life to the evolution of civilisation. Earnestly striving for that high objective and renewing our vows to free institutions, let us go forward to our tasks with faith hope and vision, holding fast to that which has proved good, interpreting knowledge and ideas as they become revealed, and developing an education which stimulates mental and spiritual growth, and inculcates ideals of public spirited citizenship. By such processes of education and zealous search for truth in our thoughts and actions, we will be able to express that spiritual urge which arises from a love of learning and of exploration, and has come down the ages, impelling man to high endeavour in the domains of knowledge, wisdom and social well-