“GOOD CITIZENSHIP.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1083, 15 August 1912, Page 2

“GOOD CITIZENSHIP.”

In the Masonic Hall last night the Hon, Mr Fowlds delivered an address on the above subject, under the auspices of the local Literary and Debating Society. Owing to counter attractions the attendance was not as large as it no doubt otherwise would have been. The President of the Society (Mr Horublow) invited Mayor to preside and Mr Gibbs 1 briefly introduced the speaker, lu opening Mr Fowlds expressed great pleasure at being able to assist the local Debating Society by delivering an address under its auspices. He was always only too pleased to render any assistance in his power to such societies because he himself had derived great benefit from them. He referred also to the value of ■ societies of this nature. Dealing with the basis from which our higher intelligence had sprung the speaker referred to the book by the American author, Heinemann, on the physical basis of civilization. From this work the speaker said he had learned three lessons. First, the value of a wide outlook, secondly, that striving is necessary to progress, and thirdly, that altruism, not egoism was the final type of lile. He spoke of New Zealand’s isolation and the consequent danger of our becoming narrow in our outlook. The best means of widening one’s horizon was travel in order to get some ■ idea of what is being done in other lauds, and lailing this reading was ■ the next best method. It was necessary also to get this wider outlook backward as well as lor- . ward, so that we might know of what had been done in the past and found useless experiments. He referred to New Zealand's social and economic legislation, in which direction it was claimed that we were in advance of other countries, stating that it was essential that we should know something got ancient history so that time would not be wasted in ' experimenting something that had in the past been found of no value. The second lesson, that striving was necessary to progress, he wished to particularly impress upon the young people. The young should prepare themselves now for the work they would eventually have to do. If they prepared themselves their chance would certainly come. Mr Fowlds said that as a boy he had been particularly impressed with a picture, which he contended, should find a place on the walls of every school and also in the meeting room of every Debating Society. It was that of a boy sitting on the floor of a log cabin, using the head of a shovel as a slate and a piece of chalk as a pencil, working out certain problems. Underneath the picture 1 were the words, “I will get ready now, my chance will come by and by.” That boy was Abraham Lincoln, who as a result of being ready when his chance came was able to grasp it. No boy or girl could begin too soon or strive too hard. In regard to the third lesson he said that this was the;;Epa}. basis of good citizenship —for others,. that for others satisfaction anif gratification. He contended that selfishness and happiness was impossible as it was contrary to natural law. Only in the gratification of others could man realise his hignest self. This principle should be applied to the home, to your town or district, to your couutry and to the world at large. Those taking part in public life should first study and prepare themselves lor it. They should consider what was best and in the interests of the people as a whole. In connection with municipal politics the speaker gave an example which had a distinctly local bearing. He said that those taking part in this phase of public life should consider whether a town shall have a water supply or whether it would be better to have two or three fires first. Again, whether a sanitary system should be installed or to allow the matter to stand over until some epidemic broke out. They should first make themselves acquainted with the wants of the people and the best way to carry out the work. He laid stress on the statement that good citizenship did not mean that they should block some reform or improvement because the carrying out of same might mean that they would have a few shillings more rates to pay. The foundation of good citizenship was justice to all —privilege to none. It was their duty to ascertain the best way to secure for every human being the right to live and the pursuit of happiness. Good citizenship would manifest itself in the eradication of existing evils. Mr Fowids concluded his address by reciting the following ;

Let good men ne’er of truth despair, Though mighty efforts fail; In vain, and long, enduring wrong, The weak have striven against the strong ; But this day shall yet appear, When the might with the right and the trutli shall be; And come what may to stand in the way, That day the world shall see.

At the request ot members of the audience Mr Fowlds elucidated certain points in his speech, after which the Mayor proposed that a hearty vote ol thanks be accorded Mr Fowlds for his able and interesting address. The motion was seconded by Dr- Mandl and carried by acclamation.

Mr Fowlds returned thanks for the hearty manner in which he had been received, aud the meeting terminated after passing a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding.