Better Borough Needs Better Burgesses

Northern Advocate, 18 May 1949, Page 2

Better Borough Needs Better Burgesses

control.

“If our actions were not controlled we would cease to be free and the Jaw of the jungle would prevail.”

The Rev. E. F. Sherburd said this yesterday.

PRIVILEGES, RESPONSIBILITIES

“WE are free people living under a system of .voluntary

He was speaker at the Rotary Club’s son-and-daughter day luncheon, and his subject was ‘Citizenship.’

“Being free,” Mr Sherburcl went on, “we have great privileges, responsibilities and rights. “The public behaviour of the country depends on the personal behaviour of its citizens.

“We cannot have a better New Zealand until we get better New Zealanders nor a" better borough until we get better burgesses.”

Mr Sherburd listed as bad citizens the following types: (1) The Vandal: The fellow who kicks his way 'through public parks and'who leaVes the streets dirty because he has a dirty mind.. (2) The Careless Person: Tine person who sneezes and blows germs into other people’s faces, who spits on the footpath, and who throws down lighted cigarettes and matches. (3) The Thief: The person who destroys the property of the other fellow; the dishonest workman who shirks his time; the dishonest businessman, and the man who manipulates his figures. (4) The Moaner: The person who does not exercise his vote but then moans about who gets in; the one who does not take any interest in community affairs and then moans about those who try to do something. (5) The Lounger: The person who hangs around street corners, leaning against telephone posts. This type often turns into the hooligan and a disturber of the peace. The worst peace disturbers are those who come home from dances ■early in the morning, Mr Sherburd said. THE MASTER CITIZEN How to become better citizens? These who would wish to try are referred by Mr Sherburd to the Sermon on the Mount. .“Read, learn and do your best in the community,” he - said, "but above all look to the Master Citizen—Jesus.”