NATIONAL DANGER

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22246, 15 January 1944, Page 4

NATIONAL DANGER

AGGRESSIVE GROUPS SURRENDER BY GOVERNMENTS CHRISTCHURCH, Friday True democracy, which sought to !do justice to all men, embodying ; discipline, order, adequate knowledge and opportunity for spiritual expression, could be attained only by | sound education and efficient train- ; ing. said the Chancellor, the Hon. J. ; A. Hanan, during his address to the j Senate of the University of New [ Zealand today. He said there was a danger that extremists might strive to create an industrial autocracy and a new tyranny. “When tempting concessions or berefits are skilfully displayed for acceptance,” Mr Hanan continued, ‘and when the unwary are lured to accept largesse from the State—often at the expense of personal liberty— j | a wide critical faculty should be j exercised by individuals, otherwise | facile acceptance becomes harmful j j credulity; and against that condition with its consequences the younger generation should be forewarned. To combat spurious ideologies that lure youth to havens of false security it an imperative duty to be faithfully observed by every person who is worthy of British citizenship. Demands of Class Interests “A democracy is on a downward course when its agencies of government supinely surrender to the demands of aggressive groups or to selfish class interests which seek to manipulate the instruments of authority fox’ their own selfish profits or preferment, and to live on the labour and the savings of others at the expense of, and injury to, the interests of all people. In such circumstances democracy is a sham and a fraud. “Moreover, where laws in a democratic country are flouted by indiviruals who hold that they are entitled to be a law unto themselves, a state of anarchy arises involving mischievous consequences to the public. The whole social structure rests on respect for law and order. While the selfish interests of many groups grow and become manifested in the sentiment, “I am for myself alone and measure everything by what it means to me,” democracy is in danger of the graveyard. For Educationists “A democracy sooner or later crumbles when its Government strives to level all the hills of diffi- ! culty by the dulling of the spirit and the conscience of its people by spoon-feeding and coddling them and by the discounting of the need for diligent work, self reliance and independence, thus encouraging people to become more and more receivers instead of givers.” There was a call, said Mr Hanan, for educationists, philosophers, scientists, religious teachers and civic leaders to launch an educational campaign which would expose and denounce all such downward tendencies as would weaken or sabotage the processes and ideals of a true democracy. Educational processes must aim at increasing knowledge, broadening the mind, widening the vision, stimulating clear thinking, creating a legitimate respect for law and order, encouraging forms of conduct ethically and socially valuable, training for physical fitness, and developing those inner sources of strength which expressed themselves in a strong personality. Mr Hanan added that unless education in the building of virile character was imparted to the child in the heme, and the example was set by parents for the formation of good habits and disciplined conduct all progressive political and economic movements would be based on shifting sand. Every encouragement, therefore, should be given to the movement for adult education.