WATCHING SIDESHOWS

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 73, 28 March 1922, Page 8

WATCHING SIDESHOWS

DO WE SEE THE ELEPHANTS

GO PAST?

STIRRING ADDRESS BY SIR ROBERT STOUT.

Is the British Empire to degenerate .iust as groat Empires of the past have degenerated? Were we justifying the gibe that we were watching sideshows and' failing to notice the elephants go past? This was the text of an address delivered at the Rotary Club to-day' by Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice. Was the Empire going to break up! asked Sir Robert. Were the citizens of the Empire paying duo attention to the great problems of the day? Was Egypt to go? Was India to go? What was the position of the Empire to-day? Go-slow, strikes, disaffection—thousands of men living on grants from the Treasury—ft grinding taxation which had ruined many people. Thoy had no peace. "What had taken place in Ireland? There had been shocking murders, yet Ireland was not poor. It had received enormous aid from Britain.. What was to happen to the British Empire—to the British, race? Was the race going to be consistent? He referred to the influence of climate on the British race. Three things it was said made up a race. First, heredity; second, culture; third, surroundings and climate. Without those tilings they could not expect to get a good race. What was England to do ? Millions were now being given out in doles. "Don't let us pay attention to sideshows," said Sir Robert. "Here is the big question. Let us tackle that." Thrift, care, and hard work were the essentials to-day. The nation that ceased to work commenced to degenerate. The want of | ! hard work and thrift had resulted in the j I degeneration, of all the great races. Without the essentials he had outlined, the British race wouJd die, just as the great races in the past had died. There was no chosen race in the world. Great Writers had pointed out that unless it was active, working, thrifty, intellectual, loving, the British nation would pass out of existence. Were not thoso things worth thinking about? Why woiTy about the sideshows? Sir Robert said that when he went Home, he was appalled at the waste upon alcohol and tobacco. New Zealand was no better situated. Let them assume that alcohol and tobacco were harmless. Did that improve the position ?■, The waste wont on vjust the same. No race in the world, was so loving and so kind to its people as the British. No nation had such high idmk of justice. The English continued to be a noble people, a, kind people, a great people. Was' such a race to pass? "It is for us to say," said Sir Robert. They should attempt to live as brothers together, and to achieve ihe high ideals lie had. already mentioned. Could not New Zealand set the example, for the world, and prove that there was no justification, for the American gibe that "the English, watched the sfdeshows, and let the elephants go by. Sir Robert was loudly applauded! for his •address, and the sentiments expressed were endorsed by the chairman for the day (Mr. D. A. Ewen). Sir Robert was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. (