SOCIAL OUTLOOK

Evening Star, Issue 17367, 1 June 1920, Page 8

SOCIAL OUTLOOK

lECTURE AT Y.M.C.A, ! A lecture was given in the Y.M.C.A. Hall last night by Mirs Lucy F. Morland, 8.A., who is at present on a visit from England. Miss Morland dealt interesting*? and lucidly with social problems, with their relation to the numerous changes facing social reformers in the future, Misa Rawson, of Otago University, presided, and in welcoming Miss Morland said their visitor came to them as a member of the central executive of the Society of Friends, and as a member of the committee for the central control of education. Miss Morland had had a wide exm perience of educational matters in England, and she possessed a first-hand knowledge, born of direct experience, of the existing social conditions. Miss Morland said that the new social outlook was being discovered more Tap idly, perhaps, on account of the great upheaval caused by the war. What was the attitude of the Christian Church towards the new outlook? She believed the Church should turn more to look at the new social order and see how they could help to make the new social order freer and better for everyone than that in which we found ourselves to-day. Dealing with the growth of philanthropic work from the 19th century to the present day, Miss Morland referred to the artificial relationship of subordination and resignation which in years gone by had.been fostered and encooraged) between the rich and the poor, the actual practice of equality being deferred for some other world, The 19th century had been marked by the growth of organised philanthropy, responsible people feeling the responsibility of helping other people to bear the conditions in which they found themselves, but not to change the foundations in any way. There had arisen & desire for self-determination ■which had been expressed in the political ebkere, •while • the extension of the franchise nad also had l a marked effect in deeming individual liberty. The ideal wae that each person should relinquish «ome of this liberty for others, and that ielf-determination and co-operation should work, together 60 as to produce liberty. These things had not vet been expressed iitt practical schemes. She had been told that people were not ready for the new order) they needed more education. Any kind pi reform depended for its succeas njoeesanly on an educated community. Of all reforms which were urgently needed none was more emphatic. than education, and to this field the Friends had always had a special drawing. Modern education was so seldom inspired by hope that it rarely achieved great results. Modern education was too "bookish." Among the things which were desired for an ideal school was a closer- connection with the outside world and greater means used to teach bur children on broad and generous lines—-an education that would, make for freedom, boldness of thought, and individuality. On the motion of Miss Rawson., the lecturer was accorded a hearty vole of thanks by acclamation.