GOOD CITIZENSHIP

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1932, Page 13

GOOD CITIZENSHIP

“AT A VERY LOW EBB.”

LORD MAYOR’S CRITICISM.

“I believe that the public spirit of good citizenship is at a very low ebb today, and I am apprehensive for tho future,” said the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Alderman S. Walder, in a recent address to members of the Legacy Club, “It is an absolute necessity for every citizen in the State to realise his obligations to the nation, because to-day we are fighting for our very existence. Any movement which tends to educate the people in their responsibilities is more than worth while.” Mr. Walder said there were many people who realised the necessity for meeting their responsibilities, but, unfortunately, there were many others who were content to stand back and criticise the efforts of those who were shouldering their responsibilities. “Yet to-day we have in this State,” said the speaker, “a body of people who have passed a resolution to abolish Empire Day and the oath of allegiance to our King and Empire, and condemning the saluting of a flag that Britain has lived under for centuries—the flag which is the emblem of our loyalty and freedom. I regret very much that such a resolution has been passed. One expects the disloyal element in our community to object to any action of respect being taught to our school children, but it certainly does seem inconsistent that the workers of this State should play up to this disloyal element which will not pay due respect to the Empire. “Whatever privileges our workers enjoy to-day have been secured to them by the laws made under the authority of their own legislative bodies. Every working man should be grateful and loyal to the great Empire for the rights and security he enjoys. If this body of disloyalists here in Australia is not satisfied to work and live under the British flag, then why dpiVt they get out of the country ?’* , z