The Curse Of Dictators.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19270, 6 January 1931, Page 6

The Curse Of Dictators.

To the Editor. Dear Sir, —I notice in to-day’s “ Star ” a short note with a few remarks by “Rationalist,” which remarks, to me, seem to come out of the Bolshevist’s stock in trade. I repeat “ that at all times dictators have been a curse.” Bom during great national crises, when faced with problems they could not solve, they always resorted to persecutions, bloodshed and diabolical methods in order to keep in power; and eventually they met defeat, except in the case of certain Roman dictators who adopted this doubtful step in order to save the State, but when the crisis was over they felt the need of the co-operation of the community and also of a healthy opposition, without which a healthy state is impossible. That there is an occult power which transmutes all our actions, even those which are purposely evil, in order to further human progress is a fact which has been verified all through the ages, but this simply means that life’s purpose must be carried out and this should be no excuse for causing untold sufferings. This occult law was always quoted as an excuse by the Eaonomists of the Manchester School in order to excuse the inhuman exploitation by the Capitalists in England in the middle of the 19th century. Again see the great progress during the Renaissance in Europe which was 'he result of the earlier Crusade! Venice owes its birth to the invasion of the Huns, and the Great War also has been the means to further human progress. In this way certain dictatorships, like the Napoleonic one, might be quoted as having done some good, but as for having existed for the good of humanity, this could never be said of them. I say that Democracy is not a failure and can never be a failure because it is not static like a dictatorship, but is ever adapting itself to the newer keynote of life’s purpose. and it is the best ground in which evolving humanity can gain the necessary experiences which it needs in its march from the humar to a super-human state. “ Rationalist ” wishes for evidence of a force which I call “ Divine Life,” “ which shapes our ends, rough hew them how we will.” Should he happen to read works on geology and palaeontology he will have to admit that he is brought face to face with a drama with a relentless purpose and an ever upward tendency. Astronomy says that all of us are participators in a world of forms and motions in which our pigmy bodies, equally with the farthest stars, vibrate to the harmonious note of a divine purpose. . „ In order to satisfy our friends, Aldwin and “ Rationalist,” I should advise both of them to get a single ticket to Russia, where thev will see their dream realised; but I might remind them that often God punishes us by granting us our wishes. There is nothing like taking risks.—l am, January 3. H. GOLONNA.