EDUCATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18747, 28 December 1922, Page 2

EDUCATION.

TO THE' EDITOB. Sxn,—-With reference ‘to the letter of Mr J. A. Forbes in your issue of this morning, one or two points have occurred to me that may be of interest to your many readers. Mr Forbes apparently agrees with Sir Robert ' Stout that during the recent parliamentary election candidates stressed “material questions to the almost total exclusion ot “ moral ” questions. But is the one really separate from the other? Is not Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth, reported to have filled the stomachs of his hungry audience before attempting to “preach 1 * to thorn? Evon allowing that the story of the loaves and fishes is written in purely parabolic language, is there not a lesson for us in such a parable attributed to the “ agitator of the common people against their authorities 19QQ years ago? I think there is. Does such a lesson not go to show that Jesus realised that the “morality” of a people is dependent on its economic life 7 How can it be otherwise? Under a system of society such as exists to-day, which encourages that greed that comes from the desire for power, affluence, and luxury, on the one hand, and, in, consequence thereof, poverty and starvation on the other Jiand, how can the prevailing “ morality ” be other than an encouragement of theft? Your readers will immediately object that our code of “ morality ” does not permit of thef‘, and that thieves—either rich or poor—are punished ,by the law when found breaking that law/ But what constitutes theft in the eyes of the law? Certainly not the right given by our capitalistic legislation—framed by capitalist lawyers and politicians, and sanctioned by the capitalist parsons and priests—which legislation makes it " moral ” for a capitalist to steal for himself and his parasites (the politicians and religionists) the hulk of the fruits of the labour-power expended by the working class. If the worker who is so robbed should ba out of Work and living in poverty, and in consequence find it necessary to “ appropriate" some food to prevent his children starving, what would happen? Our capitalist courts would probnblv gaol him as a thief, and in doing so declares that his action was “immoral,” not because it is truly so, but because what is “ illegal ” is also classed “ immoral.” And so we see that “ morality ” does not depend so much upon education an it does upon legislation. If we had legislation that made it a crime (in another word, " immoral ”) for any person to make a profit out of his fellowmen and women, what would result? While it would not altogether and immediately quench the inherent greed of each one of us to live off the fruits of others’ work, it would certainly go a long way, and in so doing would alter what we term “ human nature.” Such a law would make the acquisition of wealth, ae today, in the hands of the few, impossible, and consequently there would be plenty for all and poverty and starvation for none, unless, of course, any should be so fooled os absolutely to refuse to do their- share of the work of the community. Do your readers think there would then be the need for the “ moral ” and “ religious ” teaching we hear so much of to-day? I do -not like te accuse any men of a deliberate desire to ” camouflage ” the real position, but is it not possible that Sir Robert Stout’s desire to hear less about “ material ” things is prompted by bis fear that the workers are beginning to refuse to be kept; in ignorance as to'the causes that produce such effects as poverty and starvation?—l am, etc., G. S. Thomson. Opoho, December 27. About 1100 kinds of insects make their homos in oak trees. “ The friendlier air betokens Spring ” Grigg. Spring days are often chill days—in fact, one has to bo constantly on guard against the risk of coughs and colds. There’s no need for worry if you keep Baxter’s Lung Preserver always handy. “Baxter’s” is a unique remedy for bronchial and throat affections. Penetrative and dependable. It also possesses ideal tonio properties. Fills _ you with vigour, health, strength, and vitality. 2s 6d a large bottle, at chemists and stores. —Advt.