LORD BRYCE ON NEW ZEALAND.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 641, 14 June 1921, Page 8

LORD BRYCE ON NEW ZEALAND.

In his book on “Modern Democracies,” Viscount Bryce has something to say of New Zealand and New Zealanders. Writing- on New Zealand, he says* . “The people’s temper and view ot life has a leisurely and indulgent cast, as of those who wish not only to be happy, but also to make evenybody else happy,, to the extent even of dissolving, for slighter causes than English law recognises, the marriages of those who think that they would be happier apart. The count 1 . \ ought to possess, and all the moie because Europe is so far oft, a much larger number of persons occupied with the higher studies, botn lite:ai\ and scientific, for, over and above the direct influence of their teaching work they help to- keep up an intellectual atmosphere and to vindicate for learning and science a due place of honour. One may sum up the public opinion of the country by saying that it is temperate and reasonable rather than enlightened and ferseeing. In domestic affairs it thinks of comfort first, tolerates abuses, is glad to throw responsibilities upon the Government, prefers to mitigate the consequences of political evils rather than exert itself to remove their causes, does not realise the need for a scientific study of the social and economic problems which its politicians try to solve. The traveller cannot quite escape the feeling, fantastic as it may appear, that the grandeur and beauty of the country and the element of romance that belongs to its scenery and to the misty twilight of its history _ will somehow or other mould or inspire the people. Those who inhabit such a land can hardly have a commonplace future. Will they not some day or other add something novel and striking, "be it in letters or arts or institutions, to the stock of mankind’s possessions.”