FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 21 April 1945, Page 7

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

EASING OF BURDENS “COMPULSORY GOODNESS” Under the title of “Food for Thought” the following are some of the points which appear in a recent issue of the “Hibbert Journal.” The writers are Dr L.P. Jacks, the editor, and Mr John Murray: “Whether the Christian virtue of bearing one another’s burdens, or any other virtue, would remain either Christian or virtuous if made Compulsory by the Government. "Whether a system of compulsory benevolence has the greater effect in promoting that virtue or in discouraging it. “Whether a rich man can be reasonably bidden to 'sell all and give to the poor’ when taxes have left him little to sell. “Whether Dr Inge’s description of our democracy as the ‘organised plunder of minorities’ is purely malicious. “Whether the unselfish desire to ease the burdens of others or the selfish desire to be eased of their own is the stronger motive with those who, are for compulsion in burden-bear-ing. “Whether being compelled to bear others’ burdens makes for the greater happiness of the compelled. “Whether compulsory goodness tends to illwill and bitterness at the end. “Whether any have a right that others should bear their burdens. “Whether this supposed right is anything else but an enslaving of some to others.”