SYMBOLS OF LOYALTY

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 1, 1 July 1922, Page 8

SYMBOLS OF LOYALTY

DO THEY ASSIST? DEBATE AT STLCTOBIA COLLEGE. ''That insistence upon external symbols of loyalty retards rather than assists true patriotism" formed the subject of a public (Rebate by the Victoria University ' College Debating Society. I The mover, Mr. 0. E. Ball, was seconded' ' by Mr. Moses Ayrton, while the opposer, Mr. C. Q. Popo, was supported by Sir IJ. P. Luke.

Mr. Ball said , that the prevailing unrest and dissatisfaction were largely due to economic causes, and could not be construed as "disloyalty." > At any rate, compulsory symbols could not touch the root of the matter. Tbe oath recently imposed on teachers bad been either unnecessary or useless; if it were intended to detect those whose opinions were not strictly orthodox it had failed entirely. If patriotism was to be cultivated there should be an emotional appeal based on the best parts of national history. Meaningless formalities and ceremonies only obscured the matter. Mr. Ayrton held that the harm lay, not in the symbols, but m thoir abuse. In New Zealand compulsory symbolism in loyalty was being exploited for political purposes, and the elimination of all forms of cant wa3 one of the needs of the day. True patriotism was to be found only in ensuring to every member of the community a decent standard of livins and reasonable housing conditions. These problems were daily becoming more pressing, and no solution was to be found by compulsory symbols of any kind. The way to foster patriotism and devotion to country was to make the country in the highest degree worthy of that devotion.

' For the negative, Mr. Pope contended that as a people the British were inclined to hide |their patriotism, and it was.necessary to. provide.means for the expression of their, sentiment: ' Every nation had'its appropriate symbols, and, those now required in this country were peculiarly British in their nature. No loyal member of the community could regard the practices as out of place, but, on the contrary, they were essential to encourage a true spirit of patriotism. Sir John Luke Eaid that conditions in any country could only be. improved gradually, and the Government was doing everything possible in this direction. Meanwhile, it was necessary to counteract the many disloyal influences in this country. He referred to' the classes who are already required to take the oath of allegiance, and ' contended that the school teacher held a'position that made it necessary to ensure unqualified loyalty. It would be found that the taking of oaths, was a practice nniversally approved, and Scriptural authority could be quoted.irisupport. ■ : . . . ■

A number of other speakers participated, generally supporting the motion and emphasising that whatever value symbols had when expressed voluntarily was destroyed by the > introduction of compulsory and stereotyped forms. After the leading speakers had replied, the motion was pot to the meeting and carried by a very large majority' 'He judge, Mr. G. G-. G. Watson, M.A., LL.B. placed the best speakers in the following order:—Messw. Davidson, Pope, Campbell, Wood, Freehand Miss Patterson. . , :