SOME OBSERVATIONS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 304, 18 September 1943, Page 6

SOME OBSERVATIONS

Human Rights And Public Policy (By Bkitisheii.) That the world is iu a state of chaos is only too apparent. That this Dominion is sorely afflicted, with political disorders is equally obvious. Our economic system is iu peril. In the search for remedies, numerous nostrums have been tried aud others offered. Causes of our difficulties should be sought and then impediments to recovery removed. The nostrums offered by communism arc a curse to the whole world. There is no real difference between socialism and communism, the ultimate object IS the same —dissolution of lhe individualist or capitalist form of life. Individualism created civilization ot modern times. Communism is seeking reversion to an earlier form of life. This results from ignorance of history aud a refusal to recognize human rights. As individuals come into the world they bring with them human rights—the right to live. There is an inalienab.e common fundamental law of personal rights which cannot be ignored without peril to the nation ignoring it. There Ims been a departure from ethical principles, which comparatively few people ever think about, he must get back to ethical principles or chaos will develop. . r .r Ethical principles emanate from the Christian Faith—there is no other means whereby principles may be measured; no other way to distinguish right from wrong. The effort should be to get back to ethical principles—a recognition ot the right to live; human rights. Human rights arc exclusively individual; they cannot be Stale owned. Every human being born into the world has an inherent right to live, work, earn, save and invest such portion of ins earnings as he does not require for immediate us.e; and he iias a right to expect that the State shall give his property—lawfully acquired—a reasonable degree ot protection. . . Human rights automatically impose responsibilities on all individuals. It is the individual’s responsibility to care, defend and provide for himself, Ins Wlte and family. He must have the liberty and freedom to function within the limits of the law which should be based on ethical principles; iu the alternative he suffers an injustice. When Hie recognition of human rights is an established habit of thought, legislation ou correct lines will automatically follow as a matter of course. It is very doubtful if any change lor (lie 'better can be brought about without (lie education of the people on right lines. Education is a slow process. At present, a considerable mass of public opinion is very dissatisfied and desires a change, but it requires moulding into form—and educating. , ... „ It is useless attacking the ms . unless we have something better to offer — a recognition of human rights. . It is improper to attack wealth simply because it is wealth. There is no inherent wickedness iu wealth of any deol Pulling down is merely destructive; building up is the need of all time. There is ample space and opportunity at the top, while there is a crowd at the bottom. Those iu the latter category should be given an equal chance to live. The degree of success (or failure) a man achieves (or suffers) depends considerably on his own personal qualities and effort's —and the handicaps imposed by legislation and opportunity. . . ■ Excessive State control is handicapping self-reliance and personal enterprise. It is desirable greater liberty, be. given to the people in order that this virtue may be cultivated in place of being strangled. -People should be encouraged to provide for their own present and future needs. There is too much dependence on the public purse—that is, the “other fellow s industry and ability. This is creating a real danger to our economic system. The value of private enterprise—individual effort—is not. sufficiently recognized and, therefore, is not being given a fair chance. Excessive taxation and extravagant expenditure is an aid to inflation. Penal taxation on what is termed unearned income (an entirely wrong.deliinition) should be abolished. It is a crime against ihe. industrious and frugal, it. unjustly penalizes those who have provided for'their own superannuation—and relieved the public purse of this burden. The right to inheritance should be recognized ami not subjected to such excessive and unjust penal levies. I liese taxes are a capital levy and, (herelore, Stale income from this source should, be treated as such and applied to capital purposes—the reduction of the national debt. , The injustice of compelling accused persons to prove their innocence is indefensible and the law should be amend'd Compulsory unionism is a denial of human rights—tlie right to live; it offends against ethical principles.