Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1946. The Fruits of Materialism

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 May 1946, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1946. The Fruits of Materialism

JT is.die opinion of the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Mr. Attlee, that “no international machinery can bring peace unless it has a driving spiritual idealism.” Mr. Attlee was addressing the Church of Scotland Assembly. Turning to events and trends at home, he went on to say that “no social system will bring happiness, health and prosperity unless it is inspired by something greater than materialism.”

This is the 20th century. It is a remarkable fact that when man’s productive power has reached the highest peak in history society should be so obsessed with the question of “social security.” Progress, or what passes for progress, has, it would seem, bred a feeling of insecurity. Steam, oil and electricity all resulted in tremendous material advancement, and now has come atomic energy. He would be hasty who would take it for granted that the acquisition of more power over nature will contribute anything towards the creation of a feeling of security among the common people.

The greatest problem facing the human race at present is the problem of avoiding another war. The splitting of the atom, the release of nuclear energy, as the scientists put it, stakes the entire existence of civilisation on one single issue. There are scientists who go even further than that and say that another war will mean the end of physical 'existence, not simply of civilised existence. That may prove an altogether too sweeping assertion, but there will be few who will deny that the contemplation of the extensive use of atomic energy as a war weapon is suffi-cient-to strike terror into every heart. There is undoubtedly a" very deep connection between the abandoning of Christian values and practice and the endangering of existence this side ol the grave. Civilisation has become more and more materialistic in its objects, ideas and values and this trend has been accompanied by a gradual but general abandonment of a true moral basis for individual, national and international relationships. As Mr. Attlee has pointed out, there was once a world conscience which was outraged by cruelty, deceit and aggression, and standards of conduct beyond that of the self-interest of the individual, the group oi- the nation were set, The progress of the human race to-day, he added, was very unequal. There was advance in one part but there was retreat in another.

Materialism, open or disguised, as was pointed out, recently by an authoritative English writer, is the inevitable result of thinking that beyond this world there is nothing else. Individuals, living unconsciously on the capital of principles that have come from the past, may not themselves be materialistic in character and outlook, hut in society as a whole the trend is quite definite.

Along with this trend, there is another dreadful process at work —the rapid deli 11 ma n i sing of men a nd wo m en. Th ey are being treated by some world leaders as mere raw material, lumped into masses, for the implementation of their plans and purposes. The tendency to do this reaches its worst pitch when the rejection of the Christian view of life and men is most complete. This happened in Germany under the Nazis —but not only in Germany. The same thing is now happening all over Europe, and, it must be said with a sense of misgiving, this tragic trend is not confined to that unhappy continent.

Work for Scientists IT was amply demonstrated in the Second World War that scientists are not needed only for peace-time experimental work in laboratories. Britain and the British Empire were fortunate in having a demoted body of scientists able to tackle and solve the tremendous problems which arose and they played a major part in achieving victory.

• Britain lias announced that there is an urgent need forTnorc recruits for science. It was stated' in the cable news this week that 5,000 are required yearly as a'minimum intake and that a portion of these would be needed for purposes of military technology. Peace has not yet been firmly established. Events since the Second World War have not been such as to allay misgivings. In these circumstances, no great

nation can afford to neglect measures for the protection of its citizens. Every major advance in science is liable to bring danger as well as great benefits to humanity. If the people are to derive the benefits and at the same time to avoid the dangers, it is essential that scientific research into peace-time as well as defence problems should be encouraged. As a White Paper issued by the British Government states, “If we are to maintain our position in the world and improve bur standard of living we have no alternative but to strive for that scientific achievement without which trade will wither, the Colonial Empir.e will remain undeveloped and our lives and freedom will be at the mercy of potential aggressors.” t ■