The One Thing That Makes a Nation Great

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7084, 5 December 1929, Page 6

The One Thing That Makes a Nation Great

HOME INFLUENCE.

“There is only one thing which makes a nation great—no.t material prosperity but the character of the people,” remarked Sir Charles Fergusson, when saying farewell' to Palmerston North yesterday. “There is only one thing which makes a sound character and that is a sure foundation of religious training,” added his Excellency. “It is recognised that without religious training, a nation cannot be great and for boys and girls to be allowed to grow up without some form of religious training is to risk all the troubles in the world. This matter is not easy to speak about and I oan only appeal to the parents that we are living in different days from our fathers.”

In the old days, the home influence, built on religious training, was what had made Now Zealand. Those times had changed, making it more important that the home influence should be kept up. If not, then something of great value was being lost. Circumstances were tending to weaken the home, to the influence of which to-day New Zealand owed that character which it possessed.

It would be a terrible reflection upon parents if the boys and girls went wrong, or found themselves in difficulties through their not being kept in touch with the home. The advantages of home, of parental influence, of religious faith, were the only things that could hold a country and its people together in changing times and circumstances. As the rush of life grew greater, it was more important that the faith should be renewed.