"WHAT HAVE WE DONE?" TERRITORIAL FORCES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15196, 15 July 1911, Page 4

"WHAT HAVE WE DONE?"

TERRITORIAL FORCES.

DR FINDLAY ON SENTIMENT AND LEGISLATION. "THE BOASTINGS" OF COLONIALS." (Fhom Oub Own Correspondent.) LONDON, June 2. There was a good deal of straight speaki:sg at the School of Economics on Dr li'indlay's address to the students. The address was ('juite a striking one, and tlio students of this "exact science" loudly applauded both the Attorney-general and the Director of the School (Mr \V. Pember Reeves). In a complimentary reference to tho director, Dr Findlay assured the students that few public men had loft a more lasting impression upon the legislation of New Zealand than Mr Reeves., He was moro than a, politician; he was a man who set himself to think and devise Telorms which in many respects had led legislation all over the world.—(Applause.) He would be glad if Mr Reeves could sec his way to return to New Zealand, and help guide tho destinies of the country as in days gone b y.

Coming to the subject-matter —" The Ideals of New Zealand Democracy "—the speaker said he was not going to quote opinions. The test should be "What Have We Done?" He would tell them of recent legislation in New Zealand, and from that they could infer what were their ideals. It was necessary to emphasise two points—Education and Universal Suffrage. On education they were spending 50 per cent, per head more than any of the oldworld countries, and this diffusion of education had made for an intelligent equality. When the son of a wealthy man sat beside the son of a poor man, class distinctions were banished, and they had that social harmony which it should be tlio first step of any democracy to promote. Then 80 uer cent, of tlieir adults voted and displayed intense interest in public affairs, which had a distinct influence upon legislation and national development. The women, too, displayed, an intelligence as keen and wise and judicious as the men. He felt he could say that class distinctions had disappeared. Rank and title had no influence, and he did not believe they ever would lnve any influence in New Zealand. The man was the test. If any of his audience visited New Zealand he would notice a sense of manly equality pervading the whole of scciety. Prestige, as they had it in England, was unknown in New Zealand. They respected a strong man, but that very great respect which some sections of the British community were disposed to pa.y to other sections, which, so far as one could judge, had not the men to 1 attainments deserving of that respect, hod no counterpart in his country. New ZeaJand had a special conscience. What was tolerated in England, sometimes with comparative indifference, would only drive a public man in New Zealand to do something to remedy the sc-cial evils wliich lie saw around. i\ll this social legislation had been accomplished by a marked limitation o( personal liberty, for example in the fixing of a minimum wage, the drink trade, gambling, certain forms of vice, economic decisions, and so forth. The New Zea lander did not object because his m'St consideration was the permanent welfare of the people as a whole. If that permanent welfare was imperilled bv the freedom used by'certain individuals." then their freedom was circumscribed. He was aware that in this country Mill's doctrine of individual liberty still held good, but he could tell them Aew Zealand discredited that doctrine in practice and theory. The New Zealander held that flabby an( ] weak se ntiment had to be met with compulsion, a doctrine which he knew ,% British spirt. Mill . gued that legislation followed sentiment. New Zen .and had disproved that, for although in the early days, there were frequent prosecutions under Mr Reeves's fchop Act providing for a weekly half-holi-day, the sentiment of the country to-dav was m favour of the act. On the drink question, sentiment was followin-r Wishtion. A rich brewer had told him lie was going out of the business because his wife and daughter felt he was engaged in a trade contrary to the sentiment of the people the people of New Zealand obeyed these laws quite readily, and he thought this was because every adult had a vote, and the whole nation assisted in passing tue legislation.

Dr Findlav then dealt with the two mam ideals—lmperialism and a Freer Democracy. In regard to the former; they believed that if they were to build lip aji weal democracy they must have some protection against foreign agression They wanted closer union with Britain. He hoped this year to see on the Statute Jjuok an important eugenic measuro, and m time to come he thought it highly prob able that before a couple could get mar nod the State would demand a certificate of fitness. This was looking forward, but it was not impossible. Dr Eindlay concluded; "We : have ceased to make wealth the preat cardinal aim of our country. Before the accumulation of wealth we set the reduction 3 f want and waste. and the improvement of our people. If, i n doing this, we should get poorer and poorer, so long as we can point to an improved moral and physical and menial condition, we should be' content. But the reverse is the case. Every step we have taken has resulted in increased wealth, and in that wealth he. comnng still more widely diffused. The New Zealander looks forward to tin"! future of his country with increasing confidence."—(Applause.) ? •J? 6 *»■ . ° em ' iei ' Reeves referred 'With satis-action to the large number of i r RQnT«OB aC T belTOn the Years 1890-1898, and considered this a wonderful tribute to the power of the State to do and accomplish when authority for once fell into the hands of men jwlio were in earnest. The difference between the eocial legislation of New Zealand and elsewhere was that in the Dominion they really did have men ivho meant business, nnd were determined that the acts put on tho 'btdtute I»cok should be administered to bring about the end for which they were supposed to be devised. I) r Findla'y's ad-' dress was a refreshing contrast to many speeches which they heard from colonial friends 111 England. During his 15 years vr lh V°! ,nl, 7 ''e had heard visitors from New Zealand indulge in a repetition of imperialist platitudes in speeches which consisted of a series of local patriotic boastings and criticism of English institutions and conditions. He rejoiced that they had had the opportunity of listening to a democrat, who was not merely a working politician, but a statesman "and a thinker. It was twenty and a-half years since their party came into power,' and one could not help being astonished at the number and variety of their achievements, ' ln addition, they still retained suflieient popular support to enable them to go on with their work. The secret of New Zealand's success was that there was more than one man in the Government -willing to go ahead of public opinion. That was why New Zealand had done things which had been copied by Governments in many lands. The lessons of work done in New Zealand were fvJl of interest and fruit to intelligent sludents in this cotm--17. Jl-ey could not despise experiment.! because they wore curried 011 in email and distant countries.

FAILING TO REGISTER.

(Pen Ukited Prebr Association i

WELLINGTON, July 14. Before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., today William Cooley pleaded guilty to failing to register" as a Territorial under the Defence Act of 1903.

Sub-inspector Sheelian stated that accused was the ringleader of half a dozen lads iit Hutt who had given the department a great deal of trouble. Accused had only registered that morning. fhe authorities wished it known that if these youths did not register the department would for the heaviest penalty the court could impose. Accused was convicted and ordered to pay court costs (7s), in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Twenty-four hours were given in which to pay"the fine.