Rangitikei Advocate. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9378, 23 February 1909, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

TO-MORROW, the day known as Ash Wednesday, is the first day of Lent, the season prescribed by the Roman Catholic and Anglican Ohnrcbes as a period of abstinence. It is interesting to note that all the great religions have attached particular importance to fasting as a means of discipline. Mabommedans observe the month of Ramazan, during which no food may be eaten between sunrise and sunset, the Hindoos regard ascetic practices of one sort or another as essential for a' holy life and among the Jews fasting was recognised as a duty that ought not to be neglected. It is clear then that in the past the practice of abstinence in some form at certain periods has satisfied a want in human nature, as otherwise it would not have been so generally inculcated. In the present day the feeling seems to have been outgrown to a large extent and it is not without interest to trace the causes of the decay of the old ideas. There can be no doubt that the western mind has utterly rejected aceticism as it was understood by many of the early mediaeval Christians. Asceticism bases itself on the theory that the body and all its desires are utterly vile and that the more the body is maltreated the batter for the health of the soul. Increased knowledge of the intimate relations between body and mind has made it clear that the mind cannot be in a really healthy condition unless the body is properly nourished, and therefore has discredited the old belief in the value of asceteoism. The reaction has, however, it seems possible been carried too far and the world is in danger of forgetting that though the body should not be neglected, it should be regarded as the servant of the higher nature and not as the master. Though fasting if carried to the extent of diminishing the perfect health of the body in any degree must be condemned, there

seems no doubt that abstinence in one form or another may have a real valued partly as a practical test of the power of the mind over the body and partly as a means of increasing that power. The season of Lent serves as an annual notification of the necessity of now and again mobilising the forces of the mind to prove that they are in fit condition for the war against bodily desires which may be necessary at any moment, and the Church is wise in drawing attention to this necessity.

THE amendment to the address-in-reply in the British Parliament moved on behalf of the tariff reformers was defeated by a large majority. There has been a striking change in the views of the party since Mr Chamberlain first alleged that Britain was being ruined by the nolioy of 'free trade. Mr Chamberlain was emphatic in stating that it was not intended to place any taxes on food, but the only practical measures now proposed are the taxation of meat and corn. Mr Balfour it seems is still sitting on the fence and from this position obtaining a clear view of the difficulties of both free trade and fiscal reform. It is becoming evident that the fiscal reform party, which professes to be anxious to protect the interests of the working man, Is really the old Conservative party under a new name. Taxes on meat and corn will be very welcome to landowners who will be able to obtain better rents for their lands when the price of stock and grain is artificially raised, and taxes on manufactured goods will also be acceptable to the large firms who control most of the industries in Britain. When we find the classes who in the past have exercised the chief control over legislation again combining to consider the interests of the worker, it reminds ns of the old advice to beware of the Greeks even when they bring gifts.