Importance Of Human Sympathy Discussed

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28440, 21 November 1957, Page 7

Importance Of Human Sympathy Discussed

“Family problems are the same the world over,” said Mr H. R. Hornsby, headmaster of Christ’s College, in an address to the annual meeting of Heritage last evening. “It is easy in the time of crisis to take an interest in other persons, but the act of human sympathy is timeless,” he said.

“It is easy to think that the responsibilities of human nature can be palmed off on to an impersonal body such as the State, but the act of sympathy for others less fortunate than ourselves cannot be replaced. “Although the Welfare State does interfere and help in human affairs, it is impersonal and cannot take the part of human sympathy. I don’t think it ever will. “Class distinctions—so much the mark of pre-war Britain—were shattered in 1939. and the evacuation of children and adults throughout the country jolted many out of their complacency. The problems of others became the concern of all.

“It is difficult to bring the care of human beings tothe appreciation of a new generation. There is a need for bodies such as Heritage to crusade and bring knowledge of its workings to those who know little of them,” said Mr Hornsby. The welfare of a country depended on the sum total of the welfare of the individuals in it, said Mr Hornsby. New Zealand looked, at the present, to oe the happiest and safest. country in the world. There was no fear—the fear that was prevalent in the minds of young and old in Europe today. Young New Zealanders looked to the future with a different attitude from those overseas. Emotionally Unstable Although New Zealand appeared •afe and happy, perhaps it was not so safe and happy as was thought. The present generation of adolescents contained a much larger proportion of persons who were emotionally unstable than there were in previous generations. “I am staggered at the number who have difficulty in adjusting themselves to the problems ol family life, especially in cases where the father has been away for a long time and then returns. A large gap is there which cannot be cured in a moment and in some cases cannot be cured at all.

“I read recently that there were 12.000 emotionally unstable children in this country. This, in a country with a population of only 2.000.000 persons,” he said. Mr Hornsby said the father was important to the adolescent who at that stage needed someone to turn to for advice and guidance. In the case of children of servicemen who had died, the place ot the father had to be taken by an organisation such as Heritage, a relation or even a schoolmaster.

That person had to have the confidence of the adolescent before he would discuss problems or seek advice, he said. “Sympathy leads to a feeling of security and insecurity is the cause of many adolescent troubles. The problems of human nature are the same now as they have always been and sympathy and understanding are necessary to deal with them,” Mr Hornsby said. Understanding Money was not the prime factor of a happy home—unity and a common understanding between parents showed in the children they produced, he said. The child yras a quick judge of human nature and fast to notice any inconsistences, but equally quick to determine genuine interest. Advice would be sought when interest was genuine.

Decent and adequate housing was necessary for the young child and bad housing was the quickest way to trouble. There was also the need for a place for young persons to let off steam. Pour provision for this forced young persons into the streets as a place to gather. The settlement of the young person in society was also important and the useful citizen had to be in a suitable job. Time spent on vocational guidance was indisnensible and reaned its rewards later. Mr Hornsby said. Through its workings. Heritage was doing a tremendous job in helping to bring up the children, not only with their education, but with their taking their places as useful citizens of the future.