The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9,1924. A WORLD OF DISCONTENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 October 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9,1924. A WORLD OF DISCONTENT.

Delivered e'=*ry evening D y S o’clock In Haters N—manby Okaiawa. Eltbarn, Wtverley, Mokoio, Wbakamara, Ouacgbr, Meramero. Fraser Road. and OtakPu.- Manutahi, Alton, Burleyville, Mangat/.ki, Eaponga. Awatuna, Opunake,

We often- wonder when we read of the ideals which well-meaning people put forward whether they really think that the world will ever reach a state of complete contentment —that millennium which ha-s been preached so often in many lands, but which appears to be as far -off as ever. No doubt common-sense ideals do er.courage people to strive to reach them, but at best it is only some of the people who make the effort. But were it possible for mankind to reach the various ideals of to-day, what of to-morrow? Someone once wrote that “discontent is immortality,’' . and Shakespeare asked “What more miserable than discontent?’’ We suppose that of the reasons given for discontent in the world none is truer than the statement of the French proverb, “What makes us discontented with our .condition is the absurdly exaggerated idea we have of the happiness of others."’ People so often imagine that if they only had this or that comfort or luxurv, or were possessed of riches, then they would be contented and happy, but it is a curious fact that the attainment of fancies and desires does not bring the happiness which one anticipates. Goethe gives this as his answer to the question : What is it that keeps men in continual discontent and agitation? “It is,” he savs. “that they cannot make realities correspond with their conceptions, that enjoyment steals away from

among their hands, that the wishediur comes too late, and nothing reach- J ed and acquired produces on the heart the effect which their longing for it at ; a distance led them to anticipate.” There are, however, various forms of discontent, and we think that it is the spirit behind such a condition that is most important. A young man who is discontented with himself because he has not made the most of his opportunities can by consistent work and determination improve his position in life and do his share for the welfare of the community in which he lives. But the young man who is discontented because others are making a success of their lives while he is idling and , not making an effort is of the dangerous type. The former desires to do better and is spurred on bv discontent; the latter is made envious by his discontent and desires to pull down those who are making better progress than he is making. We fear that the world has many people of the latter type using their evil influence at the present time. They set forward what they term ideals, but analysis often leads one to think that they are sectional ideals and frequently the proposals are not of a practical nature, and if adopted would lead to widespread ruin and far greater discontent than at present exists. History gives many examples of the disaster which has overtaken nations which have permitted their discontent to develop into envy, hatred and bitterness and finally to a boundless ambition to destroy other nations through jealousy. Germany is the most recent example, and the ambition which led to her ruin can be traced back to the encouragement of discontent nurtured upon the doctrine that the Germans were supermen, the “salt of the earth.” The war left the world in a very bad state, and there are numerous evidences of discontent in many countries, and peace among the nations is far from .secure. For five years efforts have been made by the representatives of the members of the League of Nations to find the way to permanent peace and means for establishing more contented relationships between the various States, but though news comes of agreements reached after difficult negotiations it is followed quickly by messages showing that grave discontent still exists, and no one can foretell when or where it will next be manifested. At the present time many parts of Asia- ( are engaged in conflict and the outlook does

not appear to be very hopeful. To what extent European nations may be drawn into these disputes remains to be seen, but with the world in A. very discontented state it is difficult to- note what is taking place in China, Mesopotamia, Arabia, and Egypt without feeling anxious concerning -the future.