The Spirit of Citizenship

Maoriland Worker, Volume 11, Issue 449, 15 October 1919, Page 2

The Spirit of Citizenship

Professor Hunter in a lecture delivered at the Trades Hall, Wellington saidi There is much truth in tho popular saying that every democracy gets the kind of government it deserves; though New Zealaivder. just now fight shy of seeing themselves reflected in the National Cabinet. They think this form of government was imposed upon them, in v measure it was, but the peoples' aorjuiesenoe is an acceptance of responsibility, and an indication of their clxaracter. I.n ar.'y community the driving forces and the directing forces are _o bo found in the feelings and thoughts of individuals. The idea of a superior caste or •of an hereditary right to rule finds no justification in science. It is true thßt as we are organised at present there are inferior classes, both ir.. intellect and will; but they are not to be found in one social class atone. The social aim should !«? to raise the general level of human intelligence and of independence in though, and action. Thicre is no province where ignorance and thoughtlessness are more perilous, or where the* opposite.s bring .a greater reward than that of t-lte principle-, of citizenship. Unfortunately, cur actions are guidetl more by the prejudkc; and superstitions of the ra~t than ly 1.v.--Knowledge of the present. Man ;, -.-IoV born with a ready-mad© percept '0,-, *.-f t-hse gravity of public can a-., ;,[,._( the value of scoialends. The prmcipics of citizenship can only be learned ihrctigh a knowledge' of the principles that nn-ih-rli-• social relation.>. It thought is to "become tho possession of th'e many, nv.t the privilege of the few, we lmut have done with. fear. It is fear that holds men hack—fear lest their cherished b-diefs should prove delusions; fear lest iNe institutions by which they live, should prove harmful; tear lest thoy themselves should prove less worthy cf respect, tban they had .supposed themselves to be. Should the working man think freely about property, then what would become of Die rich:-' Should young men and woiiifn think freely about then what would beeomo of morality? Should soldiers think freely about war, then what would become of military dicipline: j So the opponents of thought argue, and so they act in their churches, their schools, and their universities. hi our political institutions, this spirit manifests itself in a Fabian policy of putting things off, and the art of the statesmen becomes the art of how not to do it. But today, he wh.v runs may read c-at th© spirit of reform is abroad. The spirit if political, social, economic, aud moral invention has awakened. Not to move forward rapidly is to take grave risk. Tho-? who block the wheels of progress will change them -into ihe of destruction. Th 0 lecture was the. last of a series designed to extend the scope of the Workers Educational Association. To the wage'earners and others circumstances debar them from th© ordinary educational institutions, the Association affords unique facilities. Adults of either sex 'may study wha. they wish, when they wish, and within limits where they wish, the Association providing the means at a niereJ r nominal cost. Classes will resume, a'r.d new ones will 1.-c formed in the early autumn after the summer vacation".