“THE GRADUATE AS A CITIZEN”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25142, 5 February 1943, Page 6

“THE GRADUATE AS A CITIZEN”

Sir,—An account of a lecture, under the above heading, given by Professor Strong to members of the home science alumnae, and reported in the Daily Times of Thursday last, gives one something to think about. Professor Strong points out that the home and the family are the basis of society, of the community, of democracy and of good citizenship. Everyone, I feel sure, will be in entire agreement with that statement. Further, Professor Strong discussed the effect of modern conditions on family life, and pointed out that the conditions under which the people lived were created by themselves. This is the statement to which one might well take exception. My mind carries me back to the slump period as an example. Are the people responsible for the terrible suffering endured by so many during that time? Certainly not. Those conditions were made for them. Not the people, but those who control the policy, are responsible for the conditions under which the people live. Only when the ownership and control of policy is restored to the people to whom it rightly belongs can the blame rest on the people. When we have a system that operates in the interests of, and not against the people, as at present, then the individual will be to blame. Until that much desired states arrives, “judge not.” When the people are set free for self development—and there is no such thing as freedom without economic freedom—they can, and will, rise to great heights and the great civilisations mentioned by Professor Strong will follow as a natural sequence.—l am, etc., January 30. Enlightened.