CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

Evening Star, Issue 19951, 22 August 1928, Page 4

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR LAWSON At llie conclusion of tho annual meeting of the Otago Justices of tho Peace Association, which was held last night, an interesting address on ‘ Civic Responsibility ’ was delivered by Prolessor R. Lawson. , Mr Jl. C. Campbell was ui the chair. The speaker prclaccd his remarks by stating that when lie perceived the immensity ol his subject he asked himself what he knew of it, and the reply was: “Nothing very valuable to the practical man. ’ let he dctciminod to proceed, and was honelul that he might be able to exhibit some phases of the subject in a clear light. Seeking a cue lor a beginning, ho asked himself what responsibility really was, and finally came to the conclusion that it was the duty of answering. But to whom? and to what? With regard lo the word “ Civic,” the speaker traced its meaning back to Cicero, who defined it as “a multitude of men with a common heart,” and no better definition of a State could bo given. Accepting this, tho professor said wo began lo perceive some glimmering of meaning for responsibility, for tins multitude of men laid provided him with the liberty he enjoyed and which had been bought at a great price; it gave him access to justice, education, protection. and tho possibilities of a good life.

When he walked down the .street: lie saw tram lines, telephones, and dozens of other things which he had not helped to build, and which yet were at his disposal. Evidently he had inherited something, but from where? it was the inheritance of a long succession of social lineage. There was also another ■side of the question. This multitude of men would protect him for a time, feed and eiothe him if need be, but the time would come when he must cease to bo a consumer only, and so the role of supplier was assumed. The question of how intuit to supply to the multitude) was all important, if only sufficient were to bo supplied to maintain himself, the progress of society would cease. Clearly the best contribution to society was tbo conscious discharge ol ones daily duties, but that was not enough ; one must do more; one must identity himself with tbo mam purpose of society. The greatest eur.se in public life was jealousy. Another was the opposition to new ideas, but sheer jealousy was the root of a groat deal of hostility to other men’s proposals—a malignant thing. Ignorance threw a blanket of night over good and bud alike, and so obliterated tbo very distinctions that enlightened men would reveal. Professor Lawson wont on to say that the multitude liked comfort. Indeed, most people were Lotus-eaters, but comfort meant decline. The sinking of the birth rate among the best classes in civilisation was lowering the general average of ability and energy throughout the civilised world. In the English speaking world there were no great men of the present time to compare with iho great statesmen, scientists, and literary creators of the Victorian era. Declining birth rate amongst the best classes might not entail diminished happiness for society, even if it entailed diminished ability. This was a subject which demanded great civic attention in Now Zealand. To prevent the propagation of iho unfit was a necessity. A vital question was how they could display responsibility. It. was a. vital question in the training of the young, and the master word was sincerity, ff in the home the young were surrounded with sincerity, they would grow up sincere. If social responsibility was a sincere attribute of life in the homo and the school, the young would acquire it in the same way they acquired the language around them. The speaker's conception of civic responsibility was that of steady devotion to what would conserve all that, was best in our natures and in our social traditions, while at the same time clearing the field for new institutions and now powers whoso rudimentary forms could at present be but dimly descried. The speaker concluded by stating that it was In’s conviction that this shadow-show of thingfwibont ns was but. the external trapping of a spiritual universe.

Professor Lawson was accorded a hearty vole of thanks for his address.