FAULTY ARCHITECTURE.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19430, 3 December 1934, Page 9

FAULTY ARCHITECTURE.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—So many theories are expounded to-day as an outcome of an intricate civilisation that amid all the problems of life the prime factors of living are apt to be fogged out, not only of proportion, but out of existence. Ask the average person why he lives, or what is his destiny, and I doubt whether lie could give you an intelligent answer. “Tlie inalienable right of man to life, liberty and the purusit of happiness," as laid down in the American Constitution, is still unexcelled, although the promise of its birth is yet far from complete juslication; and if words mean anything at all these words are an assertion of the supremacy of the individual considered collectively, over any external interest. An examination of this definition clearly shows that both anarchy and individualism are ruled out of consideration, and it also rules our collective Socialism as proclaimed by Fabian and other Socialists. It means that man must retain for himself such control of initiative that all benefits accruing from science and mechanics, from the work of his brain and hands, that through the avenues of our economio and political structures every man can choose, with increasing freedom and complete independence, whether he will or will not assist in any project which may be placed before him. From this point of view this independence Is purely economic; it is simply hypocrisy, conscious or unconscious, to discuss freedom of any description which docs not secure to the individual that in return for effort exercised as a right, not as a concession, an average economic equivalent of Die effort made shall be forlhcoming. Only by recognising this necessity can the foundations of society be so laid that no structure built upon it can fail, as the superstructure of our capitalistic system is falling to-day because the pediments which should sustain it are honeycombed with decay.—l am, etc., MARCUS JAMjiS. \ Hamilton, -November 30, 1034.