HARMFUL FORCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22199, 9 December 1946, Page 5

HARMFUL FORCES

ATTITUDE TO WORK DETERIORATION SEEN FATHER EVATT’S WARNING (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Dec. 7. Both in society and in the classroom there was a serious deterioration in the attitude towards work, said the Very Rev. Father L. Evatt, rector of St. Patrick's College, Silverstrearn, at the annual prize-giving ceremony. “We must be on our guard lest this wrong attitude take hold of the young," he added. ‘I am not saying that the schools are responsible,’'’ said Father Evatt. "There are other formative forces working harmfully in society, but if the schools are at fault in regard to it the evil is bound to spread, “Whether as pupil or later as a grown worker in whatever sphere each person must have a sense of responsibility to .the work that lies to his hand, a readiness to put forth effort which will do justice to his obligations to his fellows and which will bring as its fruit a pride in achievement. “Our young country was built on these foundations. It will continue to develop and prosper only if the pioneers are imitated as well as admired," said Father Evatt. He considered that over-emphasis on the educational slogan “learning the play way" could have a harmful effect. Provision and encouragement of motive in study was correct psychology, but an attempt to find interest at all times in the immediate subject must lead to a shirking of what was disagreeable but necessary and was a poor preparation for the tasks of life. The final test, he said, was habitual readiness to face up to a task, to make an honest and persevering effort —in fact, to have a right attitude to work.