EXCLUSIVENESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20868, 9 May 1931, Page 6 (Supplement)

EXCLUSIVENESS.

RUTHLESSNESS IN CHARACTER. / d BY EDNA GRAHAM MACKY. Tlio term " exclusive," whether applied to the latest millinery model or to a leader of society, implies a certain amount of desirability or high value in the eyes of the public. This /vogue for exclusiveness is based on ft very ancient, and fundamental human •weakness—the proneness to prize that .which is difficult to'obtain and to despise that which is too easily won. The craving for exclusiveness is a characteristic of old civilisations densely populated countries. The simple country folk, whose neighbours are scarce; do not pick and choose their company. They are decidedly " inclusive " in their friendships. It is when the masses crowd upon the individuals who have through education and othex* means developed a good conceit oi! themselves that this tendency to mark off an exclusive circle is most evident. Being all things to all men does not appeal to them. It is too difficult to do. To be exclusive in one's friendships requires, in the first/ place, an uncommonly high, opinion of one's self. In the second place, there must bo some special qualification that might servo as a separative agency, such as culture, breeding, possession of riches or talent. Then a certain amount of ruthlessness must be present in the character —ability, to snub or rebuff any applicant unqualified for the privileges of ■ the . sacred circle. clusiveness is a sort of trade unionism in the upper reaches of society. There is a resultant power frofn exclusiveness, something that arouses the envy and admiration of the "outsiders." Danger is always attached to all manifestations of power if carried to extremes. Love may become jealousy; phyisical strength brutality; courage recklessness; faith inertia. Exclusiveness means the limiting of contacts, and limitation is particularly dangerous. /The clearest water will become stagnant if it has no outlet into the broader channels. The purest air confined in shuttered chambers, becomes musty and poisonous if not allowed to circulate. So it is that the thoughts and customs of men cramped into narrow creeds and doctrines become dangerous. Fanatics, religious and political, come from just such sources. Exclusiveness runs the risk of creating selfishness and ruthlessness, two of the most unlovely things in all tho world. Restriction and Limitation. On the other lian/1, a certain amount of restriction and limitation have their good uses. Water dammed in its flow servos to make reservoirs for tho supply of the thirsty towns, or partially dammed the swift current generates electricity for the benefit of industry and human progress. Walls and closed doors shut out the cola air /in tho winter, and mako for the cornfort of tho dwellers within. Exclusiveness in society may preserve individual culture from being swamped by the so-called vulgarity of the masses. It jnay set high arid noblo standards (in the case of royalty), toward which (he cvos of the world may look with admiration and respect. It may cultivate povei and leadership and individuality, but there is no cruelty like unto snobbishness that presumption io becomo exclusive •without adequate warrant. .After all', it is a much more unselfish and therefore much more difficult thing to become inclusive," and perhaps there is no higher standard of human endeavour than that set out in Homei s lines: —

He.was a friend !o man and lie lived in ft house by tho side of the rnnd.