IMPORTED WORKERS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 43, 14 November 1907, Page 6

IMPORTED WORKERS.

Yesterday the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, by a decisive majority, affirmed a principle which is of vital importance, not only to tho Ministers of that body, but to the Dominion as a whole. For many years past it has been the custom, not only of PresbyteriaDs, but of all tho denominations represented in New Zealand, to seek in other lands the men who should fill the highest church offices and occupy tho most important pulpits. To such an extent has the practice been carried that many younger ministers have lost

the natural stimulus which is given by the hope of promotion, and older men, who have served faithfully and well, labour under a feeling of bitter injustice. This state of affairs the Assembly has by its vote condemned, and its expression of opinion will be endorsed over the whole country. The evil is by no means confined to the churches. Very many of the prizes in all professions and occupations are reserved for men who come with a reputation from overseas. In their actual qualifications for their special work these men are often not one whit superior to those born and trained on New Zealand soil, while their ignorance of local conditions may seriously interfere with their efficiency. The question thus comes to be one of more than ecclesiastical importance, and one which closely touches our growing national feeling and our pride of race., In importing from other lands our leaders of thought and captains of industry we are, to some extent, making confession to the outer world of our own sense of inferiority and our want of faith in ourselves. New Zealand is a young country, and it is beyond question that in some matters such a confession must be frankly made, but it is by no means necessary all along the line, and the decision come to by the Presbyterian Assembly was both wise and , timely. In the work of the churches the advantage is distinctly with those who are of the land. Not only is their knowledge of local conditions an immense advantage, but their oneness of feeling and thought with those to whom they minister is of the utmost importance in all religious and social work. Unless gifted with a peculiar sympathy which makes him kin to all men, the man from the older lands must spend years in this country before he'becomes thoroughly identified with tlie people, and thus on the ground of practical utility the advantage ia.with the New Zealander. Let the principle be fairly acknowledged that, qualifications being equal, the New Zealander is likely to render better service in liis own land than the man who has lived and worked under wholly different conditions, and such prizes as the Dominion has to offer will no longer be withheld from her own sons. This in no way interferes with th,e wider Imperialistic view that insists on regarding the British race as a iinityand the Empire as a garment without seam. The truest patriot is he who loves his home best, the truest Imperialist he who gives first place to the interests of his native land. In some departments of everv-day life it may not be possible to dispense altogether with outside aid, but wherever possible we should take our' guidance and direction from men who have been reared amid the free airs 'and freer conditions of our island home.