UNFORTUNATE TENDENCIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24418, 2 October 1940, Page 9

UNFORTUNATE TENDENCIES

in CHS EDITOR

Sir,—l wonder how many people will add any significance to the statement in your paper of the happening at lu€ Leith when the four youths stoned a duck. Apart altogether from the circumstances of nesting time, this act is only similar to many others that arc committed these days by t J ie , y ° people of this Dominion. And these acts are being assisted by the Government of the day. which is engaged in every way possible in instilling into the mind the idea that nothing is worth while. , „ „„ The general impression that the other man’s propertv is fair game, that the causing of loss or pain is of no consequence. and that “ number one is the only consideration is to-day being encouraged by the laws and is not suppressed in any effective manner when punishments are given. Consequently we have an entire lack of regard for the older folks and a distinct disrespect for decency in the _ matter of other peoples’ rights. This Government is assisting the development of a careless, lawless and selfish race, with which the responsibility for the future rests. Is the bond of kinship so low in the estimation of the middle-aged folks to-day that they are willing that the future of this Dominion be left in doubt, rather than rise to assert that votes alone cannot decide the issue. The fact of the duck being stoned by four youths is symbolical of mob law It is ouite easy to believe that no one of these four would have been game to tackle the duck singlehanded. Even the four together kept their distance and used stones. This Dominion i* worth more than this. If we delay in our awakening, our children will be called to pay a terrible nrice. Mother* and fathers to-day ignore the resuonsibilitv of the future, but it is them responsibility. For the sake of a few shillings, people are to-day selling their souls to a bunch of selfish politicians who. under the pretence of “helping the poor working man.” are sheltering their own inability and hypocrisy.—l am. etc..

There is Always a To-morrow September 30.