PURPOSE IN DEMOCRACY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23894, 23 August 1939, Page 18

PURPOSE IN DEMOCRACY

" May it not well be," asked Mr 'S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner for Australia, in a recent address, " that the man faced with unemployment and with undeserved suffering and privation of those dependent upon him would willingly barter all the vaunted privileges of democracy in exchange for a sure and certain means of livelihood? They must all recognise that this was probably so, and direct their thoughts toward ensuring that a democratic system would not only give to its citizens the priceless gifts of freedom, liberty, and equal opportunity, but would also ensure to them higher standards of living and a greater measure of prosperity than was accorded to people living under other systems. The outstanding defect was the absence of a common objective inspiring the nation with a common purpose and determination. Where in a democracy there was a realisation of the necessity for action, the people could be, stimulated with a common purpose which they would pursue unitedly and resolutely. An outstanding example of this was the great, united effort in regard to national defence in great Britain to-day. What they had achieved in defence could be eaually' achieved for a great constructive peace-time objective when people realised the necessity.