Democracy and the Legion

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20987, 16 October 1933, Page 8

Democracy and the Legion

A correspondent signing himself " Democratfinds fault Avith a re- j cent leading article in " The Press " on the future of democratic government because it does not make practical and constructive suggestions. ''lnstead of visualising some " heavenly political system," he writes, " and raptly losing the pre- •' sent in an impossible future, would " it not be far more sensible and " practical to take our system as we " have it and proceed to an over"haul of it, dealing immediately " with its most obvious and glaring " defects... ?" Considering how persistently " The Press " has advocated, among other things, greater decentralisation in government and the reform of local government, public works administration, the hospital system, and the public service, this criticism seems ungenerous. The leading article in question was an attempt, perhaps more courageous than successful, to diagnose the fundamental defects that are weakening democratic government throughout the world. Nor is it an idle amusement to visualise " some " heavenly political system," since the reformer who works without some understanding of social trends, without an ideal to guide him and give unity to his efforts, is like a mechanic who tinkers blindly with a machine lie does not understand. But " Democrat's " next point shows that in reality lie is more anxious to grincl an axe than to offer reasonable criticisms. The New Zealand Legion, he bay. is making " the only " organised attempt" to eradicate the faults of democratic government in New Zealand, the greatest of which is the party system: why, then, has the legion failed to secure th~ " clrar endorsement" of " The " Pi ;.ss." Th-jre are two answers to his question. The first is that " The ' Press" has endorsed as much qf the legion's policy as is intelligible' and practicable. When the legion itself has a clearer idea of what it is, what it is trying to do, and what its methods will be, a wider judgment will, be possible. The second answer is that "abolition of the

"party system" is a muddled and potentially dangerous objective. The legion, apparently, has the naive idea that there is only one possible philosophy of government and that, if political parties were disbandsd, all New Zealanders would find themselves in complete agreement on a political and economic programme and the means for realising I it. Surely it is the essence of demoI cracy and the antithesis of tyranny j that men should be free to believe j what they like about government and to organise in support of their beliefs. Party government can be j suppressed; but only by the method which has been used in Russia, Italy, and Germany.

Duties of Public Schools Bishop West-Watson, in a sermon preached yesterday in the Christ's College Chapel, had some thoughtful and helpful things to say about the traditions and responsibilities of the great public schools, and the necessity for maintaining the spirit and principles which the founders of such institutions as Christ's College had in mind. The principles of Dr. Arnold, restated and explained by Bishop West-Watson, are simple and inspiring and their practical application is perhaps more necessary to-day than it was when they were first laid down. They are more necessary because life is more complex, and in a world of complexities and problems especially for youth, it is fortifying, and inspiring to have some simple standards as a solid support for our youth, in the difficulties which they are called upon to face and in their relationships with their fellow-men. Bishop West-Watson truly indicated that in a world of change essential values would be in no danger so long as the spirit and essence of Arnold's great principles were preserved. So long as our boys are given as a basic equipment for their after-school life a high sense of responsibility as members of the human community and are taught to rely on the old and essential truths as a standard for conduct, there need be no fear for the future. The responsibility is very largely cast upon such institutions as Christ's College and the other great public schools, from whom the community at large draws its leaders. While they continue to be conducted on the broad but simple principles laid down by their founders—and there is no need to think that their spirit is not being maintained—these schools will continue to provide a bulwark against undesirable tendencies and to be a source of inspiration and strength.