EAST AND WEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 978, 22 May 1930, Page 6

EAST AND WEST

REV. W. G. MONCKTON CONTRASTS VIEWS In a lecture at the Higher Thought Temple last evening the Rev. W. G. Alonckton contrasted the views of the East regarding the "West and the views of the West regarding the East. ‘‘lncomprehensible to the Eastern mind, is the intense haste of Western civilisation toward a goal of progress which cannot be defined,” said Mr. Monckton. “This is shown in modern developments of industry and invention, which result in more production and less employment.” The habit of selfishness denied life to the coming generations. The death, rate of France exceeded the birth rate, which now averaged one to each family. Yet France was increasing armaments for security. One of the dangers of the Western competitive system was the increase cf goods which could not be absorbed by their own peoples. New markets were therefore sought. The competitive system meant rivalry between nations. On the other hand, there was the view that all progress was based on competition. To the Western mind, the East appeared hundreds of years behind. The civilisations which did not keep step in the march of progress would be destroyed. The Eastern view of religion was different from that of the West. The East doubted the religions of the West. This life was not of the greatest consequence to the Eastern mind, which was essentially spiritual. The East had a very real message, and it would be a serious loss to humanity if it were overwhelmed as was Peru, for there was a danger that the Western competitive system might lead to battles, and that science might wipe out the Eastern civilisation.