NEW ZEALAND PATRIOTISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2823, 13 December 1924, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND PATRIOTISM.

A WORD TO THE YOUNG CITIZENS. Love of country is a valuable asset. It is not a matter of trade and commerce. It is not in the least a matter of despising or hating the people of some other country: though grouching sour-faced socialists aver it is that and nothing else. A patriot, they conceive to be a man who yearns to stick a bayonet into some fellow mortal of another race and nationality. Pity the poor wretch with his ideas born out of too much politics by class hatred. “Good old New Zealand’’ says the travelled citizen of our little land as he turns his face homeward. He is not belittling anything he has seen abroad but is glad to return. We are not an emotional people and display but little exuberance. Visitors, even those who live with us for many days, consider us rather cold and formal, Yet the average New Zealander is patriotic, with a clean patriotism that takes but a scant glance at politics as a factor worthy of consideration. He loves liis country because it is worth while not because of what the politicians may make of it. He has a shrewd suspicion that they will in any case do much of their work badly. It is the country he stands for, nothing else. Hear an old West Coaster spin stories of “The Coast" and you quickly come to realise that you are being privileged to look into a man's heart and see his country. It is much the same with the men and women of Auckland, of 'Otago, and of other parts. New Zealand does not “wear his heart on his sleeve.” He will not open up on all occasions, yet the steady passion is there and it finds expression in laconic phrases such as “God’s own Country,” “Good little Old New Zealand.” The native born nd the real Colonial —or old-limm —-understand the value of this spirit of sound patriotism. How regrettable it is to llnd the character of inn to patriotic feeling which our people possesses being 1 inoculated with the virus of a vacuous internationalism which is largely of foreign importation. There has come amongst as assumed world politicians who think of country merely in the way of political formula and care as much, .!' not more, for other nations as they do for that we mime Home. This abstract postulating of all countries as the same, with it tendency of special regard for the alien always, is a mentality that reaches no altitude of sentiment, it leaves the individual spirit coldly groping in the mists of parly, class and sectional interest. The soul of a nation is something higher and tinier. When it finds expression in the cliaracler of a people the country in alt its natural and human manifestations becomes a living inspiration.

Truly, the people of New Zealand have good reasons for loving and being proud of their country. It is a wonderful land. Rich in natural resources and bounteous in natural beauty. Health, prosperity and freedom constitute the common heri-

iage of its people. Inhabited l»v :i :iiit ive nice, the Maori, second to none amongst the aboriginal races. Since colonised by pare British stock, and ha.ving established the soundest and iveeest of British Inuitutions. It knows nothing of drought, pestilence or famine and of destitution there is but littje within as borders. Lapped by the great sea its most boisterous winds are but in general health giving and invigorating: whilst its measure fit' bright sunshine gives cheer and growth to nature's produets and to man. The people of these fortunate isles live in peace with confidence.. Their patriotism is not a surface emotion but deep seated because it is in all respects well Counted. This devotion to opr little land is a virtue in the race. Mav it be long sustained and passed on unsullied to the rising generation who are growing up in our midst. Whatever conflicts of opinion there are amongst us on ilia tiers of polities, religion alnd general organisation may we ever maintain that our country is of first consideration; The patriotism we possess, should never he allowed to fail or pass from us. It is 100 precious a gift to lose. .(Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League).