SERVICE, NOT SELF

Evening Star, Issue 22975, 4 June 1938, Page 25

SERVICE, NOT SELF

PHILANTHROPISTS WHO KNOW NO CUBS (Contributed.) At local and general elections it is to be regretted that there is a disposition on the part of some demagogues with ignorant prejudices to incite class hatred by endeavouring to dupe and delude unthinking people into the erroneous and stupid belief that all those candidates who are opposed to their extreme views have no common generous feelings with the masses, show no practical exertions of benevolence, or active interest in rendering service to the sick, the suffering, the distressed, or the deserving unfortunate. The audacity and absurdity of such allegations were exposed in the course of recent impressive addresses of Mr A. H. Allen (now Mayor of Dunedin) and Dr William Newlands, who was placed at the head of the poll for the election of representatives on the Hospital Board. No intelligent and fair-minded person who has read the pages of history but must know that they are brightened by the noble humanitarian work done by those belonging to Conservative and Liberal parties respectively, without any thought of reward. It has been pointed out _by those competent to express an opinion that there has never been a revival or great reform carried through except by the help and leadership of men who personally gained nothing thereby. Nearly all the really important democratic reforms —the educational, spiritual, and social services which we enjoy to-day—-were laboured for by those who derived no advantage from .them, but whose sincere aim and object was to benefit others. For instance, in overseas countries the names of the Earl of Shaftesbury, Gladstone. John Howard, and Elizabeth Fry (prison reforms), Wilherforce (anti-slavery), Jenner, Harvey, Lister, “ Abe ” Lincoln, Father Damien, Pasteur and Rutherford, and those of a great many other public benefactors could be mentioned to support that contention. In this country much convincing evidence could be furnished to prove that a great number of the humanitarian and social reforms which have conduced to the welfare of the workers were the result of efforts of those who did not directly belong to the ranks of Labour. In this connection the name of Six Charles Bowen, a Minister in a Conservative Government, calls for eulogistic mention for the reason that he was mainly responsible for the establishment of New Zealand’s State system of free compulsory education. Since the passing of the Education Act in 1877 the facilities for free education have been so liberalised and the • gaps between primary, secondary, and university education so bridged that young people of industry and ability, coining from Humble homes, have been enabled to gain admission to all the professions. To these reforms may be added the services of medical inspection of schools and free dental treatment and other reforms, the author of which was a lawyer. The name of the Hon. W. P. Reeves, a lawyer-journalist, stands opt as the proponent of the Arbitration Court and other measures to improve the conditions of work and life of wageearners. Again, it was the Hon. Robert Stout, a lawyer, afterwards Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, who _is to be credited with the democratic policy of throwing the doors of admission to the Government service wider open to applicants belonging to the masses. With regard to our parliamentary franchise, it is true to say that its extension was supported by people who already had it. Those who look through the pages of the ‘New Zealand Hansard ’ will find that during the last 50 years nearly every Government that has been in office has enacted some legislation to promote the health, educational, and material benefit of the working classes. 'The spirit of human kindness was never so widespread as today. Currents of noble human activity are flowing in many noiseless directions. In this and other countries there are thousands of public-spirited men and women not necessarily belonging to_ the working class who give their time, ability, money, and labour to develop those societies whose aims' are to assist philanthrophic and altruistic causes which lift a nation to the stature of a higher and better state of mind._ If it were not for the selfless devotion of those supporters, such societies would cease to exist. Judged by the splendid efforts of those worthy people in the spheres of social betterment, the motto, “ Not for self, but for service,” may be for them appropriate. Turning now to other aspects of this subject, abundant evidence could be adduced to demonstrate how the disastrous consequences arising from earthquakes, floods, famines, conflagrations, and other grave catastrophes touch the hearts of men and women representing all shades of political views with a common social

sentiment—a fellow-feeling—and set runnings streams of practical largehearted sympathy', as seen by the financial and other benevolent contributions made for the alleviation of all forms of suffering and want. All these disinter, ested benevolent all these individual and collective social activities, are the flowering and fruits of the social principle which knows no class, creed, nor condition. While on this subject grateful acknowledgments should be made of the unselfish work—often proving fatal—done by research workers and explorers to -extend the boundaries of knowledge for the enlightenment and welfare of mankind. Further, do we not owe a deep and an abiding debt to those citizens in this and other centres who have made magnificent individual philanthropic contributions? The results of the present local elections make it clear that a very great number of workers have open minds and think straight. They are not misled by reckless assertions, specious pretences, and crafty tactics or arts, especially when employed for the purpose of inciting class hatred. Those agitators who do this become suspect of motives of personal ambition and self-interest.