THEOSOPHICAL LECTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16872, 10 June 1918, Page 6

THEOSOPHICAL LECTURE.

A lecture on " Social Reconstruction " was delivered by Miss C. W. Christie in the concert chamber of the Town Hall last night. The speaker appealed for religious freedom, and said that absence of tyranny in religious belief was essential to true brotherhood and the ideal State. No sect had the right to force its beliefs upon others, or to use for political purposes its power over the minds of its people. freedom was the birthright of every soul, and the people must exi.-t for each other, and the State for the people. In Germany, under Prussian militarism, one could nut call one's soul one's own, and all forms of tyranny must be purged from our society. Every soul had a right to a fair share "of this world's wealth, such as good food, proper clothing, a hygienic home, a healthy body, the best of education, 'and time for recreation. Many did not get their share of these because of bad distribution. Tho charity of the rich or the kind-hearted would not do, but right ways of distribution must be found out. Miss Christie dwelt upon the evils of the liquor traffic, and urged its immediate abolition. Although not morally or legally entitled to compensation, it would be better to give the " trade" a compensation of the difference in property value and the trade value of the assets for its abolition at once. Harsh prison treatment would have to co and criminals be made into better citizens instead of worse ones, by an enlightened and humane system. The children were the greatest assets the Empire had, a." 1 all children should have loving, paternal care, hygienic surroundings, a good education, and the presence of helpful conditions, so that they might develop into the best of citizens. Nations, like individual* reaped as they sowed, and wo should ensure that we sowed seeds that would bear good fruit.