ords We Remember

Te Ao Hou, September 1955, Page 10

ords We Remember Apart from our own papers, I would like to uote what I would call “pearls of wisdom” from papers presented by various delegates at conference. This comes from Mrs Tara Ali Baig of India, speaking on handicrafts:— “Handicrafts utilised a creative artistic genius of the people that could have no place in industry. Also that the ‘greatest human happiness lies in accomplishment’ for handicrafts and creative arts do provide for the satisfaction of a deep-rooted human urge and the fact that hand-work is so highly prized in industrial countries is a recognition of the artistic and human values inherent in individual craftsmanship. Handicrafts are a potent form of freedom.” These are the underlying ideas in the revival of our own handicrafts and arts. Also speaking on handicrafts, Mitsuko Amamuro of Japan said:— “Handicrafts which are an outward expression of the living warmth of the heart will be absolutely essential in the family and society, today and always.” Dr. Shina Kan, again of Japan, speaking on the Right to Work—said:— “Nowadays man seems to work under the sanctions of hunger, coercion or from motives of profit or prestige, but work is necessary for selfrespect.” And quoting Luther she continued:— “There is nothing low about the work of a housemaid. The housmaid, the farmer, the cobbler, the industrial worker, have as true a title to divine nobility as the judge, the abbot, the artist or the king if they do their work as for God. This new conception of vocation, therefore, ennobles the common man and his working day. The work done by the body for the body is in no way degrading or unworthy of man.” These thoughts from Japan will, I am sure, bring you happiness in the work you are doing.