Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 26 February 1940, Page 4

Readers Write

Mr Keay, in assuming that “enoug a for the enjoyment of a decent comfortable life ” „ would

constitute the sound

THE NEW CIVILISATION.

basis of a new civilisation, is building

on a fatal delusion. The foundations of his hopes are on shifting sand. Just as the luxury ot today becomes the necessity of tomorrow, so a sufficient income for today "is too little for tomorrow. The fact is we let our expenditure grow with our income, and no matter how much some of us are helped we will spend our way into want again. What we really need is the moral power to resist those temptations that lead us into spending beyond our means. Material help in the shape of more incoipe will not do it, because we will spend the excess.

Another fundamental error made by Mr Keay, and many others—especially on the religious platformcreeps out in his phrase “if-the foregoing suggestions were cheerfully accepted.'’ That “if” is the Shakespearean “rub” that blocks so many grand schemes. As the religionist is apt to point out, "if” the people would only hearken unto God, etc. But the stubborn fact is that they won’t—and it is the facts that we have to deal with. The Bible itself declares that the wheat and the tares shall grow together until the harvest. Both human experience and divine revelation agree that there will always be the evil element in society. So what is the use of building on the delusion that the tares will suddenly turn to wheat? Mankind, that has been selfish for countless generations, is not going to defy natural law by suddenly bringing forth 100 per cent of contented hearts just through the temporary environment of a "sufficient income."

Every man in the army must take the oath of allegiance; discipline is absolutely essential to military ’ success. Yet we think that society should march to glory by the rules of haphr.zai'd and laissez faire. Until we can organise a sufficient majority of the people pledged to honour and support the requirements of a good society then wo can expect, only the blundering or spasmodic success of a rabble.

And remember, a soldier needs adequate training before he is of any real use in an army. We almost entirely forget the need for moral training before a citizen can worthily discharge his duties to society. Imagine the Allies today proceeding under twenty diffei'ent commands, and with untrained ranks. Yet that is what society is doing. Unified action, competence aifcd obedience are the essential ingredients of maximum accomplishment. So the various factions of society must realise the aeed to sink individual differences and units in the service of one*'forward movement. What the country needs is a capable leader with vision who will appeal to, and win the confidence of, the masses and inspire in them a healthier moral outlook. —T. W. CAMERON.