The Times THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1944. “ Rock of Human Selfishness ”

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 62, 16 March 1944, Page 4

The Times THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1944. “ Rock of Human Selfishness ”

In the course of a notable address delivered in this city the Bishop of Wellington issued a challenge to youth that it should organise in an endeavour to produce that better world of which almost everyone dreams. It was to the speaker’s credit that he showed a practical realisation of the current situation and of the difficulties, and of that one most particular difficulty which stood in the way of “a brave new world.” Very aptly was the simile of a fog Used to describe any vision of the future that can be gained at present. With caution it was declared that “something colossally new may come out of the wax'.” Certainly mankind is living through an intensely historical period and the whole of the past three decades since 1914 constitutes a stormy age, following upon the comparative calm of the Victorian era which extended until the outbreak of World War 1. Twice within a quarter of a century has mankind seen the whole world at war and coupled with this, tremendous industrial and sociological changes. When this war is over and peace returns, what will be mankind’s reaction to all that has been experienced? On the one hand is the vocal clamour for some new order or brave new world. On the other hand there must be a vast body of people who Wish for nothing better than to be left alone, allowed to rest in peace—and who would be, therefore, inclined to resist changes as upsetting to what they desire. The Bishop realised the strength of this temptation and at the same time expressed a contempt for those who would not realise that we are living through an age of opportunity. Opportunity betokens responsibility. Whilst materials or situations, the tangibles or intangibles, are in a state of flux there is granted the opportunity to mould them anew. Once let the warmth of opportunity die away and human affairs tend to settle in a mould which renders change difficult—almost impossible. But apart altogether from such considerations of any particular period in human affairs, the Bishop of Wellington correctly diagnosed what was the supremo obstacle to the hoped-for betterment of humanity. “We know that wishful thinking, enthusiasm, charter's, or the finest planning wont do the job of building a better world because the one huge obstacle of human nature is in the way. ... So many human dreams break on the rock of human selfishness. ’ ’ Unfortunately, that statement is a fundamental truth. So much that appears harsh, unreasonable and untrusting, to be met with in our existence on earth derives from that source. Statesmen and lesser men, with the best of intentions, endeavour by legislation to make a better world but anything that they can do is definitely limited in scope by the quality of the material at hand—human nature.

Indeed without any change of laws at all man could live a wonderful life were he to effect a change of heart. In very large, degree the faults of the world are the results not of systems, whether government or economic, but of the people themselves. The supreme need of the age is unquestionably a spiritual inspiration that will commit a great majority of individuals—as individuals—to live better lives —to think less of what they can get out of, and more of what they can give to, the society in which they dwell.