HOW MANY ARE RAILSITTERS?

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 9, 6 October 1943, Page 6

HOW MANY ARE RAILSITTERS?

Estimate In Address To Trade Representatives

There was scarcely anything more important than public opinion, yet statistics indicated that one-third of the national population did not think independently ; they were fence-sitters who leaned toward what they believed would become popular opinion whether sponsored by liberal or conservative thought, said Mr. W. A. Simpson in his presidential address yesterday to the annual meeting in Wellington of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives’ Association. Progress, said Mr. 'Simpson, demanded that the citizen have a full appreciation of his obligations to the community he was in direct contact with, the peoples making’up his national community and the peoples of other national races—in other words, an understanding of his obligations as a citizen of a world-wide community. Education should embrace Christian principles, moral enlightenment and advancement. In the spiritual sphere it appeared that they did not frequently enough practise the golden rule of life. They discovered the rapid growth of a selfish philosophy where the means be•came the end. On the practical side, the youth on. leaving school was thrust into the commercial world with a very elementary knowledge of the problems which would confront him on his journey through life. He had little knowledge or understanding of the true meaning of trade and commerce, nor did he appreciate that his livelihood was interdependent on the prosperity or otherwise of the community of other nations. Till the citizen obtained a basic understanding of these fundamentals and a high appreciation of responsible citizenship they would continue to drift from one unsatisfactory compromise to another. Aa an association they could do very little, but members could accomplish much by taking an interest in the education of the future generation. They should not forget the last but not least important factor—co-operation. Stability could not be brought about by coercion. Prosperity and tranquility were dependent on an understanding of each other's problems, whether the nations be large or small. Security could not become an established fact if one section was coerced into accepting conditions which they'conscientiously believed were unjust.