THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 250, 20 July 1942, Page 4

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Comments —Reflections Intercession. God, Eternal, make known to us today Thy promise of old, that they who trust in Jehovah shall be like the hills of Jeiusalem, immovable. May we not rear or falter in life's path, but trusting securely in Thee may we pursue our way steadily and to the end. Amen. * Men are never so likely to settle a question rightlv as when they discuss it freely.—Lord Macaulay. '"There is an old Icelandic pruvero which I often wish we had put up as a streamer across the end of Ibis building as a perpetual warning to us. That provehb is: ‘Long do men live who are slain with words.' 1 believe that might be a useful reminder of the limitations of the power of talk in wartime. Our real function is obvious. It is to do the best we can to help to put things right, but a great deal of that can he done by private conversation or by private correspondence. What we can achieve in open debate is strictly limited ” — Mr. Denman. M.P.. in the House of Commons. •9 V * "It would be well that at this stage everyone should realize that a time will come when our financial and general economic system will be subjected to a test not less severe than that of wartime—the period immediately following the war. It was most important that Sir Kingsley Wood should raise this point, and he did not neglec to do so. Anyone who imagines that when the war is over we can quickly return to the conditions of the pre-wnr period is living in a fool’s paradise. Much invaluable experience has been gained during this war from which the fullest advantage must be derived. Sir Kingsley Wood insisted that in the per. iod when it will be a primary objective to expand international trade It will be essential to regulate the pentup demand and to take steps to prevent what happened after the 1-ist war —an inflationary boom. The financial and economic controls which have served the war effort will be needed at the conclusion of hostilities not less than now” —“The Spectator." London.

"There is reason to believe that parental control is slackening, and this is perhaps the most serious aspect of juvenile delinquency. There appears to he less loyalty, affection and respect for parents. The State and the Local Authority have become more and more parental in their relations to the young, and while it is said that it is better to tend youth wisely by public authority than to have them neglected by parents, it is wrong that parents should be relieved of their responsibilities. Sometimes the home discipline is too harsh and this is equally harmful to the child. The foundations to a well-ordered life and good citizenship are laid in the home, where the essention requirements are good example and calm and consistent discipline. ,1 believe that the outlook toward delinquency will change. It is a disease of society, and we must eradicate all conditions in which delinquency can originate and flourish. This will take time, and the burden of training the child will rest with the Education Authorities, in close co-operation with the parents.”—Dr. Win. Boyd, In an address to the Edinburgh Rotary Club,

“Many professional workers aud skilled operatives will be released owing to demobilization, and it is of great importance that these men should not be allowed long periods of unemployment. It is probable that there will not be for at least a year after the close of the war any groat measure of unemployment. Demobilization must be a slow process, otherwise there will be nothing but confusion and chaos. Moreover if, as we foresee, it is necessary for the Allied Powers when victorious to maintain strong forces, even the production of munitions of war will not immediately cease. It would be as well in any case that the big industries connected with the building trades should themselves plan for the future. The more comprehensive the policy, provided that it is a sound policy, the more likely it is that we shall be able to cope with the big demand for new houses with new plans and new technical methods. What is wanted is a very close alliance, on the part of the Ministry with the building trades aud the local authorities.”—Sir Percy Alden, a British authority on the housing question, writing in the “Contemporary Review” on post-war problems.

“Asia without Japanese Imperialism leaves America and her Allies as the dominant factors only it they are unchallenged by the great industrial giant of the north, r.lio U.S.S.R. What can be expected to develop between the U.S.S.R. and the United States? Are we to anticipate co-operation between these countries in the westernization of Asia? Or should we be ready for competition which would reopen the fissures in Chinese politics and complicate the future of India? These are questions which cannot be lightly dismissed or lightly answered They are questions, however, which will not arise in tlie same form after the war as they do now. Both India and China will have the deciding voice in their own future; China is already more of a free agent than she has been for a century, and India is much closer to independence. Those who seek to influence these countries will have to do it in terms of cooperation and on a basis of equality.. .. But there can be no peace in Asia . . . without good relations between America and the Soviet. Union. Tlie character of those relations depends on what kind of America and what kind of Soviet Union survive the war; the question must therefore bo left open.”—Professor George E. Taylor, in “America in the New Pacific.” * * * About. Face. This is no time to let ago have its way, To sit serene and idle in the sun And watch the shadows of the afternoon Draw to tlie twilight of the closing day. We must renew the tasks we thought were done, Set. hand again to plough and wheel and lathe, Force tired feet to climb the upward path, Turn weary eyes to face the rising sun. The past—it is a story that is told, The future lies within our steadfast keeping; 'Today belongs to toil, not sighs and weeping. This is our da, —we who are growing old. — (Una W. Htirseu, in the “New York Times.”