THE QUALITY OF QUALITY

Press, Issue 31095, 25 June 1966, Page 14

THE QUALITY OF QUALITY

(By

WHIM WHAM)

Professor J. Ritchie, professor of psychology at Waikato University, believes too much emphasis Is placed on the immoralities of young people in New Zealand today. He told Nelson College old boys at a reunion tn Hamilton: “I suspect that most of our young people are moral, progressive, and go-ahead. Most of them are fine, quality-seeking individuals”.—News item. Be careful, Sir, how You asperse The Young, We’re tired of being told How bad They are, and getting worse.— So, for that Matter, are the Old. Sir, on the other Hand, take Care How You extol the Young,—THEY know Your Praise is hollow, being aware Painfully, that They have to grow. They have their Problem, which perhaps is Distrust of Law, and Orthodoxy: Their Elders, who deplore their Lapses, Enjoy them slyly—or by Proxy! You heard what the Professor said? Children, it is to You I’m speaking. You’re Moral, Progressive, Go-ahead, And—wait for the Punch Line!—QUALITYSEEKING. I don’t know What it means, do You? Am I the QUALITY-SEEKING Sort? I’m sure I should be, if I knew What the Professor’s Words import. Is QUALITY-SEEKING mere Ambition? Or Wanting Nothing but the Best? Is it a Way of life? A Mission? Being well-informed, or just well-dressed? The Status Status-seekers seek Is real, if only Real Estate! But how can QUALITY-SEEKERS speak Of seeking What they can’t locate? Sir, it All sounds to my lay Ear Like Advertising,—but for What? If there's a Message, it’s not clear— THAT Quality it hasn’t got!