‘Danger That N.Z. May Become Intellectually Sterile’

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29802, 19 April 1962, Page 15

‘Danger That N.Z. May Become Intellectually Sterile’

“The Press'' Special Service

TE AWAMUTU. April 18. i The danger that New Zea- ; land might become a society r“h in scientific achievement • but culturally and inte-Mectu-ally sterile, was emphasised ; by the Governor-General i (Lord Cobham) at a civic reception at Te Awamutu. “It is fascinating to the newcomer to observe how in : a short 100 years the New Zealand people has forged a new nation so essentially British in most respects and

so very individual in others,” said Lord Cobham. “I think that the first thing that strikes a visitor to New Zealand is the way in which you do tilings yourselves, instead of relying on other people to do them—whether it is building a house or swimming pool, or erecting a ski hut. “Your agricultural research has been ot the highest order, and you have bred many new strains of sheep.

“AU this constitutes a massive achievement and one of which New Zealand can be justly proud. Great Britain is an industrial country, and New Zealand essentially an agrarian one. and yet we have so much in common; even our problems.

“In tills harsh world wherein both must either produce and sell, or endure a severe fall in living standards. the human being tends to be forgotten. The man of science has paid only scant attention to the science of man.

“The Founder of our faith told us that man does not live by bread alone, and it sometimes seems that we are in danger of forfeiting “hat fundamental truth,” said Lord Cob bam. “The danger then is that we become a society rich in scientific achievement, but culturally and intellectually sterile. “All our endeavour is of no avail unless we can occasionally look up from our work and see the stars.”