University Discussion On The N.Z. Character

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27374, 12 June 1954, Page 2

University Discussion On The N.Z. Character

“Delphi lUvisted” is the general title of weekly lunch-hour discussions started at Canterbury University College yesterday, when the largest lecture room was crowded with at least 300 students, staff members, and some of the college council Dr. H. D. Broadhead, associate professor of classics, explained that Delphi was the place where a priestess delivered the oracles of the gods from over a chasm emitting intoxicating vapours. “We must’nt press the analogy too far,” Dr. Broadhead said. Presiding, Mr A. J. Danks, senior lecturer in economics, announced the plan for the meetings. Questions should be submitted in advance for selection on tie topics listed.

“The New Zealand character” was discussed yesterday by a panel comprising Dr. G u Jobberns, professor of geography; Mr G. Troup, liaison officer; Mr R. L. Reid, lecturer in psychology; and Mr D. K. Fieldhouse, lecturer in history and political science, the last two being fairly recent arrivals from Britain. Plunket Society’s Influence The first question, described by Mr Danks as “a cracker,” was: “How far is the New Zealand character affected by the Plunket Society?” Mr Reid said that “breast versus bottle” and his “moral ignorance through not being a gardener” were two things which struck him when he arrived. The Plunket Society had undoubtedly stimulated the Dominion’s concern about child welfare—to such an extent that many theories sprang up and mothers tried all authorities till they found one they agreed with. Was the element of compulsion in “forced feeding by the clock” significant? asked Mr Danks.

Professor Jobberns said he wondered whether these habits were the basis on which New Zealanders accepted allkinds of regimentation and were willing to accept most things without question. /

■ “Is there really a New Zealand character and how is it distinguished from that of a proper Englishman?”

Mr Fieldhouse said that on his arrival he was soon aware that he was in a country of “jokers.” They had intense individualism, spent their week-ends alone in their gardens, went on holiday with their families to be alone in the most crowded places, and in most social gatherings quickly separated into male and female groups. They felt that they had no moral basis for complaint against many services because they were provided free by the State—at a heavy cost to the taxpayer. They were sharply critical in some ways, but why not in others? “I can tell you,” said Mr'Reid. “It is because you would not be a ‘decent joker’ if you did.” New Zealand’s Aristocracy “Has New Zealand an aristocracy and if so why don’t we admit it?” Mr Troup said the Dominion had several aristocracies—the bishops of

the TjVB., trotting clubs and racing clubs, All Blacks and former All Blacks; further down were the intellectuals; and then the landed gentry, who were revered and plundered. New Zealanders had an original way of deprecating any aristrocracy with a continual smile of disclaimer, and the Shysical expression of this smile proably gave the greatest distinction so that the Englishman’s richly-rounded “How now brown cow” became “Hew new brewn cew.”

“Is New Zealand an example of arrested Victorian development?” Professor Jobberns said the ranks of cars outside and the seething masses inside hotels between 5 p.m. and 6 pan. supported this contention. New Zealand, with Britain, shared the belief that the tiniest minority must not be harmed or irritated, said Mr Fieldhouse, and so there was rarely definitive action on any important question. In New Zealand, more than Britain, the convention persisted that a. woman of the home, if not fully occupied there, should not take employment outside. This was a serious hangover from Victorian times and wasteful.

The licensing laws were stringent, violating the interests pf many citizens, said Mr Reid, but from recent reportg they were executed by “many good jokers” with some approval.

Criticisms and Expert Opinions The panel was next asked to account for New Zealand’s “sensitivy to criticism while such great faith is placed in overseas experts.” “I think we really enjoy criticism,” said Mr Troup, “and we are at last developing a proper scepticism about overseas experts.” Mr Fieldhouse said that New Zealanders were like the British. Any criticism was scorned as coming from “dagoes beyond Calais,” and praise was accepted as “well-informed opinion.” “I must explain that the college staff are .not experts; they are gents, interpolated Mr Danks. “Good New Zealanders”

“To be a good New Zealander you must be a jack of all trades.” Dr. Fieldhouse thought this idea inefficient.- It had probably arisen in an attempt to beat rising costs, but most jobs would be done better and more quickly by tradesmen if prices were reasonable.

Mr Troup found milking the cow, building henhouses, or painting, the perfect corrective to the sedentary life of the intellectual. “If I am composing a letter, the highest satisfaction is to set up a block of wood and address it with the axe as the director of.. he said amid laughter. Professor Jobberns also found such occupations satisfying.' “I kept a hotel once for three weeks—a most valuable' experience,” he said. There was no response to the proposition that “the only way to control New Zealanders is to persuade them that a command is the decision Qf a committee.”

Next week the discussion will be on “The College.”