The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1939. The Call for Leadership

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1939, Page 6

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1939. The Call for Leadership

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IN view of the deplorable spirit of disunity apparently animating j sections of the people of New Zealand, and wnich is the antithesis of wnat should exist during a period of war, it would seem that democratic education has been found wanting so far as the opposing parties are concerned. It was H. D. Lawrence who said that in the hour of supreme trial democracy cries for leadership. That is what is required in New Zealand to-day—leadership of factions which, if handled rightly, would undoubtedly realise the vital importance of unity in a time of national emergency. . \ The subject of leadership and the responsibility which rests J upon the led was dealt with editorially by tne ‘'Adelaide | Rgister” in a recent issue, and we feel that the comments therein made should be read, marked, learned and inwardly digested by New Zealanders who may not have put into practice the principles enunciated. it is pointed out very rightly that no multiplication of mediocrities can make a strong and progressive democracy, if the right kind of leaders be wanting, popular enthusiasm must run to seed. Democracy can function successfully only when it can raise and recognise leaders of high quality and selfless devotion. , .... „ ~ •A living democracy will spontaneously throw _up such leaders; it will find the leaders born to match its crisis-hour In almost every community some people have natural gilts, of leadership. They have an inborn capacity for inspiring and directing the activities of their fellows; their intellectual and spiritual endowments mark them as “men of stature and as men “having authority/' Democracy needs the intuitions of genius; it needs men of magnetic personality and dynamic resources; it needs men capable of original thought and independent judgment. . _ Dut the mere possession of these gifts is not No less necessary is a willingness to otter them on the altar of the public good. Those who possess gifts of leadership, but shrink from exercising them, are hardly less censurable than those who prostitute them to the ends of selfish gain and mere ambition. Every healthy democracy will have in it an element of aristocracy; it must discover and train the elite of its youth for the service of the people's State. Its educational system must be judged not merely by its success in raising the cultural Standards of the masses, but by its success in raising leaders worthy of the people's trust. ~ , The “Register" is on solid ground when it declares that the nobles leadership may be foiled by public apathy. If followers are helpless without leaders, no less are leaders helpless without followers. Fearless leadership is effectual only when it is answered by sacrificial devotion. . . Every citizen needs to realise his own stake in the security and welfare of the democratic State. The leaders may draw great and daring plans, but it remains for the followers to implement them. This fact opens up an interesting vista of thought, and should inspire the rank and file. No advance was ever made towards a better ■world, unless with the aid of “ordinary" men and women. Indeed, the test of leadeiship is just here. The true leader is no solitary, brooding genius, but the man who has the power to draw people to himself and inspire them with an enthusiasm to match his own. Such a leader is described by the psychologists as a “crowd-compeller." Many gifted and highly trained men are conspicuous failures as popular leaders; they lack the “common touch,” because they are detached from 'the emotions which sway the heart of humanity. Ihe appeal of the “crowd-compeller” reaches beyond mere reason; it touches those deep, instinctive emotions which are the driving forces of life and action. . „ ~ . . To what extent has the education system of the Dominion fitted the present generation to discriminate between the wheat and the chaff presented to them by leaders of various schools of political thought? That constitutes an interesting question. It is even more interesting to inquire to what extent the genius required of, leadership exists. Those who have been given important places in the councils, of Parliament alone, but of all the organisations whose decisions sway public opinion, have a weighty responsibility resting upon them to-day. They have the power, if they realise it, and use it rightly, so to guide their followers that obstacles in the way of unity may be avoided if they cannot be removed. , , The leaders should see to it' that their actions, when tested in the days to come, will warrant the distinction of greatness rather than the ignominy of meanness.