British People Need To Hold Together

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 20, 25 January 1937, Page 3

British People Need To Hold Together

GUARDIANS OF DEMOCRACY A plain statement of the need among the members of the British Commonwealth in “what is now a critical and disturbing stage in world affairs” to hold fast together was made this mornin«r in his address as Chancellor before the Senate of the University of New Zealand by the Hon. J. A. Hanan. “We cannot place too much emphasis on the Biblical counsel ‘Hold fast to that which is good,’ ” Mr Hanan said. “In the opinion of competent observers, there is in times like the present no

certainty that the peace of tho world will continue for any definite period. It may not be an exaggerated comparison to liken the quiet of Europe and of parts of Asia to the quiet of gumpowder upon which a spark may alight at any time. Whatever may be the outcome of such a possibility, the plain fact is that wo with all other parts of the Empire stand together, or wo fall together. They are no doubt right who declare that if the British group of nations—tho chief mainstay of democracy—fails to hold together, if the group should become estranged and divided, it seems only a matter of time before each of the parts " in turn will become engulfed in a rising tide of warfare. If they should drift apart what happened to Abyssinia may happen to them. “Greatness of Our Heritage.” “It is right also to observe that such consideration should impel all of us to realise the greatness of our heritage, and manifest a firm determination to awaken any apathy or dormant sense in tho community to its attendant commanding responsibilities, in order that this generation may not only continue to enjoy that heritage, but may ensure that those who follow us will receive it unimpaired—if not enhanced.” The abnormal conditions created by the world war, which left the most tremendous aftermath kuowu in history, he added, had threatened to bring down the fabric of civilisation; and no intelligent person, who had noted the trend and significance of events, could fail to see that a great disturbing movement of unrest, discontent am! change was passing over the world, and affecting every country. Inferences from the panorama of changes—evolutionary and revolutionary—which were visible in different countries, made it clearly manifest that tho age

J. Dewe, c Hayward, b Low .... 1 W. Dunn, b Openshaw 9 N. Fitzpatrick, c Low, b Whittle 43 J. Finlay, lbw, b Openshaw .... 9 I>. Sinclair, st. Hayward, b Whittle 1 ! M. Barltrop, st. Hayward, b Openshaw 4 Connel, st. Hayward, b Whittle .. 3 Brock, not out 2 Extras 6 Total 80 Bowling: T. Whittle iivo for 3G, U. Marshall none for 16, H. Low two for 11, J. Openshaw three for 11. RANGITIKEI First Innings. A. B. Marshall, st. Fitzpatrick .. 83 A. F. Spence, c Dunu* b Barltrop .. 12 J. Openshaw, c Fitzpatrick, b Dewe 9 H. Marshall, b Dunn 29 W. Hayward, lbw, b Barltrop .... 1 D. Cameron, c Finlay, b Carter .. 36 W. Liddell, b Connell 17 T. Whittle, b Dunn 31 ; H. Marshall, c Sugden, b Brock .. 23 R. Shields, not out ...••••••• 0 LL. Low, lbw, b Sugden .••••••• 9 • Extras 7

Total •• 235 Bowling analysis: Dunn two for 36, BaiJirop two for 58, Sinclair none for 15, Dewe one for 13, Finlay none for 8, Connell one for 25, Carter two for 31, Stephens nono for 19, Brock one for 5, Sugden one for 0.

was certainly a questioning and testing time of social beliefs, of institution? and of economic systems. Crucible to Criticism. As a result, few institutions, systems, services, forms or policies of government had been able to escape the crucible of criticism. This might be ascribed to the idea that they were behind the times in thought aud form, or not suited to deal adequately with the complex problems presented for solution. In their quest for stability and in the hope that they would travel on the upward path of national recoiustruction ar.d advance on sound lines, some countries had been making drastic changes or radical adjustments in their political, economic and social structures, as exemplified by the establishment of modern dictatorships, Nazism in Germany, Fascism in Italy, and of a j communistic government in Russia. Each of those might be regarded as an alternative to democracy, which was declared to be lighting a rearguard action because of its imperfections, while each of those experiments (Fascism and Cotnmuuisml, it was said, was on the advance. “This advance is mainly attributed by its supporters to obedience to strict discipline and duty, a widespread and a self-sacrificing enthusiasm, and the desire to serve the community. "A belief in the principles of British democracy, the sovereign power of the people, the freedom of the individual and government by popular representation, gives to all of us a steadfast at* tachment to our democracy.”