Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1945. VANDALISM.

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1945, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1945. VANDALISM.

’J’IIE urge to wanton destruction, given the occasion and opportunity, is too frequently in evidence nowadays, and young children are less often the offenders’ than those in their teens and older. The disclosures in the House of Representa-' fives, yesterday, tvhen a Wellington City Anti-Vandalism Bill was not permitted to proceed, showed a distressing state of affairs in the capital, but, relatively, Wellington is little more the sufferer from vandals than most other towns. Greymouth, for instance, has a sad story to tell in this connection. The total loss and inconvenience annually throughout the Dominion is tremendous, considering the high standard of education and conduct claimed. The Wellington proposal for amateur policemen might prove a remedy 'worse than the social disease it sought to cure. There are, of course, different kinds of vandalism. Alinisters and Parliamentarians are not free from the offence. Wasting time in the House, and over-taxation are costly to the public far beyond the smashing of civic or national property. Some of the examples set by their representatives do not encourage the people to follow the golden rule in conduct to others. However, the vandalism now being deplored is that senseless misbehaviour in destroying other people’s property, regarded as fun by the perpetrators, and not regarded seriously by the community, unless individually suffering. AVhen offenders are detected and brought to Court, the penalties are seldom salutary, and discouraging to ’other prospective wrongdoers. The police have a difficult task, especially on festive occasions, and, generally, are to be cbmmended for thendisplay of mingled tact and firmness. Psvchiatry is as a blessed word to some social reformers, but this treatment is more palliative than cure. It may be an exaggeration to say that every person is at. heart a vandal, but the desire to destroy must be latent in many, .judging from events when self-control is lost. “Be your age” is advice given to those who have reached years of discretion, when acting' or speaking foolishly. According to AngloH.S.A. Army psychiatrists the average mental age of recruits was but 14 years! This figure was derived from psychological tests carried out during the drat ting of men into the forces, which included tests of perception, observation, mental facility, reading, and ambitions. A British psychiatrist said that 14 was a good average age for ranks in any army. A British War Office official pointed out that there was no need for soldiers to feel rallied, since the average mental age of the general public, anyhow, was only 13 to 14. All the figure means is that —according to psychologists—most human beings roach mental maturity when they are about 14. They gain in experience, skill, wisdom, education, etc., long after this age. It is said that the prospects are not bright for increase in the average mental age, as the interests of those still in their teens are mainly confined to ephemeral amusement, such as seeing films, dancing, and other pursuits not demanding intelligence tests. Education, not confined to children and schools, may be the best remedy to minimise vandalism and similar sins against the community, but there is little sign that this cure will be popular. In the great new world that is being prepared perhaps a generation will arise that will avoid the mistakes of its predecessors, vandalism being one of the faults becoming obsolete.