LITE IN N.Z. AND SCOTLAND

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26394, 12 April 1951, Page 2

LITE IN N.Z. AND SCOTLAND

SCOTTISH MINISTER SEES CONTRASTS

Contrasts between life in Scotland and in’ New Zealand were described by the Rev. W. M. Hendrie, Youth Director for the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, who was the guest speaker at a meeting of the Women's branch of the Christchurch Citizens’ Association yesterday. It took time to settle down to new conditions and ways of life, Mr Hendrie said. “That one should be aware of contrast is inevitable, to contrast things is not to criticise,” he continued. “New surroundings throw light on many things about the old life which were not perhaps clear to one at the time,”

It was generally accepted that the Scottish way of life was subconsciously woven around the church and education. Experience of the new life in New Zealand made that suddenly very plain to the Scot himself, although he might have little realised it at home. Church, school, and people were closely inter-woven in Scotland into the one pattern, said Mr Hendrie. This pattern was strongly marked in the smaller communities, although the artificial conditions of urban and industrial life made it less visible in the cities. The story of the people and the story of the Church were so closely inter-related that they appeared to be one. The life of the smaller communities revolved round the minister, the school-master, and the doctor. The provost, equivalent in New Zealand to the Mayor, was usually a poor fdurth. The initiative and self-reliance of New Zealand young people were good to see, Mr Hendrie said. He emphasisea the dangers of over-much freedom, which, ne claimed, must be counter-balanced by a good home influence and strong home ties. The meeting was held at the home of Mrs H. E. Radley, Heaton street. The president (Mrs G. H. Watts) presided.