THE Thames Star TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1929. PUBLIC LIFE.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17662, 13 August 1929, Page 4

THE Thames Star

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1929. PUBLIC LIFE.

“With malice toward* none; with charity for all; with firmnee* in the. right, a* God give* u* to ase the right."—-Lincoln.

To "vfhat extent are the young people of this Dominion taking a practical interest in the national affairs which will have an important bearing on the future prosperity of the Dominion'? In recent years the great majority of the people—old and young—seem to have permitted their thoughts to drift from the serious side of life to the “lighter” side and are more, inclined to devote their time and attention to sports and pastimes than to matters political. That pleasure is a necessity to physical and mental fitness cannot be denied, but while thus indulging there should be some thought N of the problems affecting the economic condition of the country. I‘t should not be left exclusively to Ministers of tlig Crown and officers of the various State Departments to completely control the destinies of the people by Act of Parliament or regulations made by virtue of those Acts. It would be better for the country if the propoals were more critically examined. At no time in the history of New Zealand has there been so great a need for the scrutiny of Government proposals as at present and for a review of cer-,. tain or* the laws and regulations supposed to be governing us. Those who have borne the heat and burden of the day in the past have rendered useful service to the public; and those who are still serving can be assisted in their efforts by a real live interest in public affairs. ‘This interest should not be left exclusively to the older people. Those of the younger generation could be of assistance in moulding public opinion in the right direction and stimulating those holding offices, the gift of the people, to even greater activity. Every member of Parliament —whatever , his political

colour may be —likes to know what his constituents are thinking and at times that they are very definitely behind him in his efforts to secure amendments to the law or in preventing new enactments that are not in the 'best interests of the people. The more interest the electorate takes in the vital issues under discussion from time to time the greater the power for good. Youth in politics could exercise an enormous influence. Young men may not have the experience, but' as a rule they have the vision and those who have the power of translating their dreams into realities could do great things for the country. There are great problems facing the country to-day and the attitude of the young people should be that a solution must be found and that they are prepared to render active assistance, in discovering a solution. Politics is an intensely interesting game —if we may use the term —and young people would derive an immense amount of pleasure from its study besides deriving much benefit from it; and at the same time they would be rendering a service to fellow creatures which, after all, is or should be one of the greatest of this life’s pleasures.