SOCIAL

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 112, 8 November 1930, Page 11

SOCIAL

ITS VALUE QUESTIONED Writing on tho subject of tht Humanitarian Reformation in the "Na» tional Review" for September, Viscount Kncbworth seriously questions th« social and political value of some of tha more firmly established humanitarian institutions of England, in terms which are also applicable to those -of Australia. He recalls, aa demonstrating the change of views wrought by time, that in 1823 the Quakeress, Elizabeth Fry, visited a famous English pugilist and spent two hours praying him to give up the '' cruel and ungodly exhibition" for which he was training. A. few mouths ago Viscount Kuebworth acted as referee at a series of boxing contests between a number of boys, which had been organised by a. distinguished Quaker. In 1820 a titled Englishwoman was ,sevcrcly criticised by her friends for having interested herself in the welfare-of a poor »au who was injured at a private.race meeting. To-day, in similar circumstances, the woman who- did not put her motor; car at tho disposal of the sufferer would probably be as severely criticised. . Humanitarian reform, Viscount Knebworth says, has been conducted ia Britain on a system of trial and error. Although to outward appearances it has been a success tho closely observant believe that nothing beyond disastrous failure has resulted. It is admitted. that 30 years ago it would have been* impossible to see factory girls dancing in silk stockings and pearl • necklaces,, or factory hands walking out with these girls in blue suits and collars and ties. Whether this makes for a better England is doubtful. The most careful observers believe that not only do the original evils remain untouched, but that further evils ..have arisen from the maladroit attempts' at reform. As aa example of misapplied humanitarian, ism, compulsory education is quoted. Two generations have grown up,sinc« the system was inaugurated in 'England. In that time some stranga notions have grown up regarding it. A. private individual educates his sous not merely that they should be educated, but because the education is an investment that will enable the sons to tak« their places in the affairs of the world. There is no inherent value in educa-, tion 6imply as education. It is; really; a marketable asset. It is neither a right nor a necessity. To-day the view generally taken of it is: "You have given mo a free education. .You have taught me these things. What ava you going to do about it? lam an, educated man and you must find me * job fit for an educated man." ■ . It would bo interesting to study the result oi1 tho abolition of compulsory education and the substitution of •» voluntary and contributory system, though one within the means of th«.poor.' A drop in the figures would indieate that the value of education » overrated. If ia two generations compulsory education has not succeeded m proving that education is worth having, then the whole system has. been- a failure. The value of other services such as the "Workers' Compensatioa' Act, health insurance, and unemploy- ■ ment insurance are also open to suspicion. They must be tested by-exam-ining whether they haye produced either a richer, a better, a happier, or a more prosperous nation. It is possible that the large sum* «p«t w endeavouring to improve the lot of t&« people has actually made them poorer —that the efforts of the Jast 50 year* t*. give a man pride in himself and an,, individuality of his own haye had no other effect than that of achieving th« exact opposite. • Viscount Knebworth adds that England is passing through a grave period of unrest, the gravity of which 'seems in no way mitigated by the fruits of humanitarian legislation. Apparently it'has not been successful.. The time has come When aa examination should, be made to ascertain whether tha failure is due to a mistaken policy or » bad execution of a good policy.