THE NEWS OF THE WORLD.

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14584, 5 February 1921, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE NEWS OF THE WORLD.

WHAT DOEB IT AMOUNT TO? (By Marama.) "We live ki an age when the news of the world is spread out before us each day of our lives. It Is a truism to say so, though it remains one of the outstanding marvels of the world. And with all this information does it ever cross our mind how little we actually know of foreign parts, or even of the more important happenings of our own country. There are to-day examples to be taken from almost every country. France is a Republic, presumably opposed to militarism, yet pursuing a policy in Syria and the East of Europe that can scarcely be called by any other name. Germany is said to be ruined and semi-starving, and yet food is reported to be cheaper there than in most countries. Which is true? Bolshevism is so impossible that its disappearance has been repeatedly predicted by those who should know, and yet it persists. Every day brings us news from Ireland of assassinations and reprisals, yet this is accompanied by the statement that there has been a record in the amount of deposits in Irish banks. What are we to believe? America has absorbed the wealth of the world, which is indebted to her for loans and for goods supplied to an extent that staggers imagination, and there are 3,000,000 unemployed. What do we really know of the conditions of these countries, or of any other foreign country? The Unexpected and Unusual. The explanation is not to be made In one word. Part, of course, is that we get our news in scraps, and could not llnd time to read more of it. It is prepared lor people who want but a summary of events, for they are not interested in more, and how is it possible to summarise the doings of a nation? We have, most of us, had the curious sensation when travelling ol reading in some paper the news from our own town, anu rinding that it consists of some accident, or some offence against the law. We feel how inadequate an idea is given of the place we call home. Yet such incidents figure largely in the cabled news from all countries. A small fraction of one per cent of criminals will occupy more space in the news columns than many millions of harmless and estimable citizens. Happy is the country that has no history, and the same is true of the family. But in addition to the disproportionate space occupied by such matters is the difficulty that people cannot be introduced to new views by cable. The events must be of a nature that is expected. Caricaturists represent statesmen in the same manner, year after year, though age changes them as it does other men. Mr Gladstone was always portrayed with an overwhelming collar. He did r.ot wear one, but then the public had come to expect it. Lord Randolph Churchill was drawn as a diminutive man, with a large moustache, though he was oft. 11 in. In the same way our news must be presented to us. If It contradicts our previous ideas we , simply should not believe it. Ears to Hear. This brings us to the pregnant fact that the value of information lies in the capacity of him who receives it to understand. "A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear," and news can only be understood by those who begin with some preliminary information. In bygone times people neither knew nor cared what happened abroad. Their Interest in mankind was satisfied with a knowledge of what John and Mary were doing next door. We have probably improved on that stage, but it Is still true that large numbers are interested only in the careers of people as like as may be to themselves. How else can we explain the popularity of much of our fiction? It is useless to suppose that in a world constituted like this the position can be very different. Even if time could be found to learn something of the facts there yet remains the difficulty of understanding the point of view, which is different in each country. We must probably reconcile ourselves to the fact that the masses of one country can have but a very imperfect knowledge of the masses of another country. Such knowledge must remain the province of the expert, who will be available when required. The Suspicious Stranger. It will seem to some people that there is little to regret in the common ignorance of foreign countries. If it were merely a question of amassing Information there would he nothing to urge against this view. There is another aspect, however, to be con • Bldered. Animosities between nations were more frequent when their ignori, anee of each other was more profound. The same word stands in Latin for enemy and stranger. It was a survival from a time when any newcomer was a probable foe. The dialogue between the two men in the remote village sums up the situation, "Who's he?" "A Stranger,'' '»Heavc half a brick at him." If we can learn something about the stranger, we may not wish to throw bricks at him. It would be well if the people of one country could know that the people of another country were a very average lot, good, bad, and indifferent, like themselves. As that can scarcely be hoped for at present we should realise that the responsibility thrown on those who disseminate information is great. A man has to go through a course of training, and obtain certificates before we let him deal with our internal arrangements or with our drains or sinks. Is It not at least equally important that we should know something of the man who furnishes us with ideas. Observation is not as simple as falling off a log. Those who have anything to do with the taking of-evidence know how widely perfectly honest witnesses will differ. If we see an accident in the street we scarcely recognise the ac count which we read of il, which mar be the reporter's fault, but it is just ► as likely to be our own. If certain people are to undertake- the duty of enlightening their fellow-citizens on what is passing elsewhere they should be trained to observe. It is quite true that most of our knowledge comes from books, but often little use can he made of it, for want of ah acquaintance with life. 7 hose who set out to acquire Knowledge ve-y often interest themselves so deeply .'n bo:~ks that they lose the capacity to observe. The profession of Expounder in General of Foreign Affairs may yet, come to be recognised by oivr universities, ami we shall be taught ffhat to think. It is possible we shall sigh for the picturesque days °' amateurism, but if thai Is to persist it can only do so by taking lt?elf and its business very seriously Indeed.