The Curse of Leisure.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 192, 19 February 1887, Page 5

The Curse of Leisure.

It is a vory hackneyed quotation, " Satan finds somo mischief still for idle hands to do," but none the less true There is such a thing as leisure which is a curse. Nature hae so constituted man that even when he is asleep it can hardly be said he is at reet Even then hia mind is often awake and at work, and sometimes not aimlessly. Leisure well used is no doubt vory valuable. The man who works eight hours, gives eight hour'e recreation and instruction, and eight hours to rest, may be said to live the ideal existence The artisan who spenda his free eight hours in building up his body and mind is prettysuretobecomeasucceesfulman It was in the hope that all would so devote their time, and create a new race of men and new institutions, that our fathers fought so determinedly and successfully for the great charter we inherit. But unfortunately— or, from the view of some, fortunately, for if all were wise, they hold, the world would come to an end— all men are not aUke ; all men will not pursue the some path. To men who will not properly use it, leisure is undoubtedly a curae. Almost better would it be for them if the old times came back, and they had to work until, when the day was over, they would be glad enough to seek reet at home. It may be said that such an existence would, and did, brutaliee men ; but if leisure is perverted and turned only to depraved ends, the man ie even worse than the brute. It may be said, without contradiction, that there is no person un:ter the sun who has more leisure and freedom than the Australian youth. How does he use that leisure and freedom ? We fear not aa he ehould, as tar as large numbers are concerned. Those who livj in the city have only to use their eyes to see how that leisure and freedom are employed. It cannot be said that our libraries and similar institutions are overcrowded. But when work is over tne stieets and open spaces are filled by the idle of both sexes, who remain far into the night, not doing anytning of advantage morally, mentally, or physically. The public-houne bars are crowded ; so are the billiard rooms and every place where the lightest amusement is to bo found. There is in thie city life, in Australia, a thirst for light amusement (at least so called) which is really appalling ; and it is not confined to one class. A very large section of the community thinks life has no serious side The section of the community which thinks and studie3 for the future is very email ; we live in the present, and a very light and frivolous present. There never was a poople with whom "sufficient for tho future is the evil thereof " had euch weight. There is much excu-e for us. A beautiful climate, plenty of food and employment, good wages, not one of the ehadows which rest upon the worn-out population? of the old world. But the present state ot things will not do. At all events, something must be done to give that fast growing class, the larri kins, employment of a kind which will wean them from street and waste place haunting, to thmr own and other people's hurt. We are not at all certain that militaii^m, bad as it is in principle, would not do good. If our young men were compelled to devote a portion of their evenings to the drill which all kinds of German soldiers have to undergo, we think it would have a salutary effect. At all events it would teach discipline, pelf control, and obedience ; the three qualities in which our youths, even those not of the larrikin claes, are so deplorably deficient. These may not be virtues, but f hey will do very well in the place of virtues. Whatever we may do, something must bo done ; and any pystem which will find a proper outlet for the superabundant vitality of our youth— for that in fact which they cannot expend in their eight hours of labour —will be a blessing. We firmly believe that our youth are not naturally wicked ; it ia the call of nature to expend this vitality which makes thorn run into mischief. Tea meetings and good-goody epoutings in heated roome won't meet the caee ; our youth are too manly for that. Already athletic exercises, such a3 cricket, football, rowing, &c , do much to help, but they only take up the afternoons. It is the night which is to be dreaded ; and it ia for the night we must provide. Better raise up a race of soldiers than a horde of Mount Ronnie larrikins.— "Sydney Evening News."