The Scheme of Things

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 96, 20 October 1934, Page 19

The Scheme of Things

By M.H.C.

An interesting and remarkable fact in. present-day psychology is the instant and almost overwhelming response to tu e "Torment of Noise" campaign in Great Britain, wi*s> the prompt action by the Minister It Traffic in taking a busy part of London in hand for the suppression of unnecessary sound. It is difficult now to take up any paper or magazine in which no mention; is made of the immediate necessity 'for subduing the noises of the world. Presumably, with the increase in mechanical transport and machinery in general, this movement had to come. The racket in the world was fast becoming ..srell-nigh, unendurable, and the doctors in London were the first to tackle an immense subject. The difficulty in getting any sort of quietude for invalids and children was recognised by them, jnd reading an article on the subject, >ritte-n about two years ago, is very Interesting in view of what has followed. The writer pointed out that noise was increasing so fast in the world that something would have to be done, or the nerves of the people would suffer very badly, aKd that children specially would suffer. He recognised the species who believe that if children are brought up in a din they will accept it and probably sleep through it, but that did not alter the fact that the noise was bad for them in the immediate present, and that it would affect rheir nerves seriously in the future. Some parents (perhaps very young ones, particularly) wanted to have gramophones or wireless or pianos going "at top" to entertain themselves or their friends and the baby of the house "had to get used to it," but these did riot appeal to the medical man as reasons for being quite suro that the children would not be the worse for having to get nsed to a continual din in their little lives —in fact the contrary. However this may be, and the future will show who 'is right, the time has now come when.the noiso of the world is likely to come under legislation. It looks as if the man (or woman) who takes seriously in hand! the problem of designing noiseless machinery, in one branch or other, and succeeds, will not only be a benefactor to humanity, but should make a considerable sum of money by a remarkably useful patent.

A.-" Noise, Abatement Society has come into existence in New South Wales, and an energetic organiser has made arrangements for calling together a number of societies likely to sympathise .in. the movement. It will be interesting to keep in touch with thisto ascertain how much success is met with and- what such, a society seeks to.accomplish. There is no doubt that individually everyone is ready and thankful for au abatement of noise, but there is a kind of supineness about which renders' the mass of folk niost difficult to. rouse, to any.kind of action, unless congregated together, and then, as most people know,- the movement of any mass of people, specially towards revenge or excitement of that description, is a most terrific and horrible thing. History records any number of instances of the kind. But in the way of inconveniences or what may bo termed "disagreoables," while'• most people are -extremely ready to grumble endlessly, the majority "leave it to-the other fellow" to do anything sensible in the. direction of improvement or abatement. This also is a well-known psychological fact, for people in this city, as in all others, go on year, in and year out complaining about things they think undesirable, unhealthy, or disagreeable^ but do nothing whatever to remedy the state o£ affairs themselves.

Another curious fact in connection with this is that if a person does come

forward, and makes a thoroughly strong effort towards reform in whatever direction he, or she, sees necessary, then there is the collection of folk who cry "busy-body" and' ask iftho unfortunate person has something better to do in-business or at home than in trying to take public matters in hand; a cold disapproval is dealt out, and there is a lack of support, probably from the fact that the people in question feel that they ought to have tried themselves, or, that there is jealousy because some one else has'shown more forethought. Many good'things could be done if people would only combine without this senseless jealousy,_ and would show a generous appreciation to those who are willing to take a little trouble for the public benefit. Experience has shown'that fear of thi3 unfortunate state of things oftentimes prevents men of talent and time from coming forward to help their city or coun-

try.- To find that others are quietly inimical, for no outward reason, is one of the hardest things in the world to overcome by, those who are willing to do some small, or large, thing,which would be generally helpful. It is to bo hoped that education,, which is gradually widening in its ideals, will help the oncoming citizens, both- men and- women, to a higher ideal of usefulness. In the meantime, this fine movement towards lessening ." din "is. going forward in other parts of the world, and has come as near as New South Wales. Now the question may: be asked: "What about Now Zealand?" Something has been done, and; gallantly tried in several ways, speeially-in .connection with mechanical noises in the* streets at night, but the difficulty, comes in catching the offenders,. and-one'. that cannot, be ignored.: Time,; newer i methods con-sidered-and tried) .and. an educational campaign among people generally about the necessity for.lesser noise, should all make a; difference ultimately, and those who. are keen in the matter should. remember that patience and hope are required. There is no reason why a bei ginning should not be made in this country while it •is small enough to lessen1 the initial difficulties.