NURTURING A WIDER LOVE.

Northland Age, Volume 6, Issue 34, 14 May 1937, Page 9

NURTURING A WIDER LOVE.

When we are dealing with very small children we are careful not to let their egotistic feelings predominate. We make them aware of their shortcomings ; we encourage the good sides. We try to break them in by bringing them into contact with other children in order that they should learn to live in the community. Why should we not apply the same method when teaching them patriotism ? Is not patriotism a wider, bigger form of self-love ? When we show our children the glories of our countries past, it would be as well to show them the mistakes our nation has often made and is making even at this day—to show them the dark pages written- by our nation’s weakness and faults—to explain them, to talk about these as well as about her glory. ... It will . . . help her [the child] to awaken the wise, all-knowing and alhunderstanding love instead of the blind one. . . . What we want is the right sense of proportion and understanding, based on real knowledge. This means that we have to wake up first and get to the point to which we want to lead our children, to that ultimate goal—the love of mankind. — Olga Malkowska, head of a modern school in Cracow, Poland, in The Council Fire, London. COMMERCEHIGHWAY TO PEACE When we speak of recovery we dare not forget that the immediate world outlook is in many ways dark and menacing as it has not been since the World War. Behind every statement of recovery we have to put a mark of interrogation for the future. . . . In these circumstances, why not try economic solutions pari passu with political solutions ? . . . International trade has always been one of the most civilizing agencies of our human advance. That has largely been the British way. Then let that once more be our solution of the present crisis. The combined initiative of the British Commonwealth and the United States may go far to assist our political diplomacy to ease and improve the situation which now appears increasingly menacing. Gen. Jan Christian Smuts, in a radio address. ONE VAST SLUM ? “My general impression (on the Russian situation) may be summed up as follows : There are good things —good things in labour and factory conditions, in creches, holidays, rest camps, preservation of museums, the encouragement of opera, ballet, concerts. On the other hand, the impression made on the ordinary tourist is of a country which is one vast slum —drabness, dreariness, sameness, no colour, no garden, no flowers, no variety, no contrast, no luxuries. The three weeks I spent in Russia were among the most interesting but most depressing weeks of my life. I felt a terrible sense of oppression ; but I frankly admit that if there were a secret vote in Russia to day, 80 to 90 percent, of the people would vote for the existing regime—partly because they know nothing else, and partly because of the efficiency and intensity of the propaganda. They are, in a sense, happy for the same reasons.”— Capt. Victor A. Cazelet, M.P., in The Nineteenth Century (London).