Let Us Have Tolerance

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 254, 23 July 1936, Page 11

Let Us Have Tolerance

Sir, —As the 40-hour week is about to become more or less general, the opportunity is arising to the public to do a little deep thinking. The whole world is passing through one of the most difficult times in history. The conditions which exist to-day remind me of the fable about the dog, his bone and his shadow—through greed he lost all. That is what is going to happen to our capitalistic system unless we pay more attention to the needs of each other. To-day there is no give and takie with capital or labour. The capitalistic system, with all its faults, took centuries to build up, but some of our ignorant workers would pull it down in as many days. When I was at school some 60 years ago I was taught that unity is strength, which is true. But what I was not taught is that while unity for good is to be commended, unity for evil causes disaster and tragedy. Our education system is at fault in many things. It is a step in the right direction to teach children to be smart and clean, but surely it is of still greater importance to make them realise that the future well-being of civilisation lies in their hands! They should be taught the great virtue of tolerance. Just because capitalism has made, its mistakes is no justification for Labour desiring to go to another extreme. Labour is in power in New Zealand today. but if it is to remain in power it must realise that tolerance is necessary. I am certain that if the party in power deals fairly with the community and is honestly supported by those who put it in power there will be little to grumble about. We need to be patient, however, as the present Government has a tremendous task ahead of it. I would particularly like to point out that we must preserve law and order. Both capital and Labour stand to lose all if we lose law and order. How many who are striving for more riches realise how helpless they would be if the forces of chaos were let loose? We should not overlook the fact that the world has slipped back before and can easily do so again. All classes must unite for common good and mutual protection.—l am, etc., F. J. RYDER. Otaki, July 19.