THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 120, 16 February 1944, Page 4

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Comments—Reflections

Patience is not passive. On the contrary, it is active; it is concentrated strength.—Carmen Sylva.

"The worst example of German vandalism since the burning of the University of Louvain library in the First World War was the deliberate setting on fire, with gasoline and hand grenades, of the precious and extensive library of the Royal Society of Naples, which comprises four scientific and philosophic academics. With equal thoroughness and ruthlessness, the Germans burned out. all the administrative offices and other rooms of the University of Naples, the third oldest and one of the largest institutions of learning in the world.”—New York “Times” war correspondent in Italy.

‘‘One of the busiest ships afloat is a British merchant vessel, the 12,000ton tanker British Confidence. She possesses a sea mileage record which, having regard to . her comparatively slow speed, is probably unequalled. Since the war began she has steamed nearly 243,000 miles. To collect and discharge her vital cargoes of aviation and pool petrol the British Confidence has visited 15 countries, including Australia, Malaya, India, Ceylon, the United States and North Africa. The petrol carried amounts to 250,000 tons —75,000,000 gallons, which have fed the engines of bombers, tanks and motor-trucks in every' part of the world where British fighting forces are placed.”—London “Times.”

“A backward glance at what constitutes the Danish'fundamentals gives force to the belief that, after the war Denmark, in spite of the smallness of its territory and population, will again take its place as a nation in the new world which will be based on equity and justice to all. The country will no doubt build its tomorrow on the accomplishments of yesterday. Well named as ‘Social Laboratory,’ Denmark's spiritual machinery is such that whatever the present halt in material progress, the courage that proved its salvation after the war of 1864, when Germany likewise was the enemy, will reassert- itself with renewed energy and fervour.” —J. Montsin, in the “Christian Science Monitor.” “I am convinced that, if industry were to become nationalized, we should become a second-class nation amj our work-people would not be able to retain their present standard of living,” declared Sir George Nelson, President of the Federation of British Industries, at a meeting of Federation members at Manchester. “Nationalisation would mean the gearing of industry to the State machine. Its speed would be that of the slowest unit. There is no virtue in a nationalized institution, although operating without profit, if it means that the public pays more for the same product than it would if that product were made by private enterprise. State control does not have to pass efficiency tests. It survives in spite of itself, and at the expense of the community. Industry under State control would hesitate to take risks because of the possibility of criticism in Parliament. In the interests of the country and of its people, private enterprise must be encouraged as a safeguard against abuse.” • *. ♦ * “The spiritual impoverishment of the world is very largely reflected in the world war which is being waged in such a destructive manner. This fact ought to serve to arouse within every thinking person a new sense of the need for Christian teaching, and the practice of religion. Perhaps one could justly charge that the suffering whjeh has been imposed upon the people in all nations throughout the world is very largely due to our failure to accept and apply the principles of religion and to give wider, broader, and more comprehensive aid to Christian teaching. We make comparison between the Pagan era in the world’s history and our modern achievement of civilization and civilized principles—yet we find in this war that notwithstanding two thousand years of Christian teaching, cruelties and inhuman practices are being practised which were never resorted to when cruel wars raged even during the Pagan era. Why is this, and what is the answer to it? It must he observed that all of it is directly traceable to the fact that the people of the world generally have failed to apply the principles of religion in human relationships, as well as in international relationships.”—Mr. William Green, President of the American Federation of Labour. * * ♦

“The impressive figures published of Britain’s mutual aid to the United States and our other Allies are a welcome contribution to better AngleAmericain understanding, says the “Financial News,” Ixmdon. “In a series of detailed quarterly reports the American public has been kept closely informed of the scale and direction of United States lend-lease. Failing corresponding figures from this side, it is natural to assume that this country’s reciprocal contribution lias been, by comparison, trivial. Judging by the tone of recent comment, at any rate, it cannot have been generally realized that as much as one-tenth of the British war effort—say, £5OO millions a year—is now being devoted to the production of mutual aid goods and services. To the United States alone, the United Kingdom supplied goods and services estimated, on an incomplete reckoning, at £216 millions up to June 30 last. * * * Prayer. Lord, wiiat changes one hour in Thy Presence doth make, What heavy burdens from our aching bosouis take! What parched grounds refreshment take, as with a shower! We kneel, and suddenly all round us seems to flower; We rise, and all the distant and the nen r Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and crystal clear. We kneel, how weak! We rise, how full of power. —Archbishop Trench (Dublin).