NATIONAL NEEDS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7922, 23 July 1891, Page 3

NATIONAL NEEDS.

TO TH_ EDITOR OF THI PRESS. Sir, —I cannot but feel that the question as to "How to give the greatest hajipiness to the greatest number "?" is after all more a question of morals and religion than a political one. We are well aware that the production of human happiness by constitution mongering was well-fought out during the French Revolution of 1789. Were the results satisfactory ? We are now desirous of putting people on certain sized pieces of land with a certain tenure. Will snch regulations make them careful cultivators of the land, thrifty, and provident ? We are anxious to prevent the accumulation of capital in the hands of individuals. Will any success in this direction do away with the employment of persons in useless, pernicious, and wasteful occupations ? Will it do away with the ministration to the vices, the sensuality, the luxurious habits of men and women, and will it do away with the incubus of standing armies? Our present social difficulties arise, as all such difficulties always have arisen, save in such exceptional causes as floods, droughts, &c, from the laziness, luxury, sensuality, and violence of mankind. If the above statements are approximately true, then it follows that any legislation will do but little towards the greatest happiness of the greatest number. If legislative enactments c mid make men efficient, hard working, and temperate, could prevent the indulgence of the passions to inordinate degrees, make them contented and kindly towards the aged, the sick and the maimed, then I would say legislate by all means, and trust to legislation for the cure of our woes. Otherwise, let us encourage and practise the morality of Jesus Christ, and seek from Him those powerful aids that shall produce in us the motives to the exercise of Christ-like humanity.— Yours, &c, Observer.