IS CIVILISATION A FAILURE?

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10654, 15 May 1895, Page 2

IS CIVILISATION A FAILURE?

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Tho other day I saw a troop of happy little children, the eldest not more than three or four years of age. One hright-eyod little fellow was riding a stick, which he called a horse, and the others were running boride him in great glee. The thought struck me that in a very few years these children would be at school, and then troubles would arise and perhaps continue as long aa they live. And then I asked mysslf whether civilisation was a failure ? lam not sure that tha savages —especially in warm climates—are -not better off and much happier on tha whole than tho majority of civilised beings. When we look round and sea tho misery there is in civilised countries it is enough to make ua ask questions. The world is full of good things and yet only a smell majority are able to get all they want, and oven they are not as happy as they might be, owing to tbs wretched condition of the great majority. Some are worked long hours at starvation wages, and others are walking about looking for riork which they caimotfind. The warehouses are full of goods, and people have no money to buy them. Machinery, which should be a blessing, is looked npon by many ao a curse. And yet we have goody-goodies sending out missionaries to convert and civilise the heathens, who are in many instances in Heaven compared with some of our people, who are living in a world of mockery and deceit. What civilisation may lead to in the future lam unable to say, but up to date I am under the impression that it is a failure,—l am, &c., DISSATISFIED.