DECLINE IN MORAL STANDARDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 221, 19 September 1941, Page 4

DECLINE IN MORAL STANDARDS

PEOPLE SHIRKING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES

NATIONAL PARTY CANDIDATE SUGGESTS REMEDIES

Decline in moral standards and the increasing tendency of people to shirk responsibilities was referred to in an address given last night to members and supporters of the National Party on St. John's Hill, by’ the National Party candidate for Wanganui. Mr. Nowell M. Izard. “There is a growing disrespect for law and order and for the rights of other people," said Mr. Izard. “In place of the spirit of self-sacrifice and mutual help, we are becoming selfish and self-indulgent. A few figures, mostly’ taken from the latest New Zealand Year Book, will illustrate what I mean. These show that 23,000 cases of venereal disease were treated in one main hospital in a year. One out of every three firstborn children is conceived out of wedlock. “In four years, from 1935 to 1939, convictions for juvenile offences (under 17 years) in the Children’s Courts increased from 3580 to 5100— nearly 50 per cent. In the same period convictions for drunkenness increased from 4300 to 7660 very, nearly double, and the total criminal convictions from 44,000 to over 60.000.

“Yet. in the face of this increasing crime existing safeguards are being removed, by the abolition of the death penalty for murder and of flogging for sexual offences. “The answer to this problem lies in: (1) Improvement of education by giving more training in citizenship and in Christian principles, which are the foundaton of our civilisation. <2) Training of adolescents after leaving school. The Boy Scout and Giri Guide movements are very valuable and the youth movements in other countries show what can be done. (3) The amendment of existing laws to conform with what the general public is prepared to accept and the strict enforcement of those laws. To-day we have the farce of the licencing laws and the gaming laws, more honoured in the breach than the observance. Open disrespect for one law breeds disrespect for all law, and that is not good for the community.”

There was an attendance of 40 at the meeting, which was presided over by Mr. C. W. Home, chairman of the executive of the party in Wanganui. Mr. Izard intends to address members and supporters of the party in Cartiecliff and Gonville next week.