MAKING GOOD CITIZENS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1919, Page 5

MAKING GOOD CITIZENS.

SOME GUIDES TO SCHOOL BOYS. ADDRESS BY SIR ROBERT STOUT. Some striking advice to boys to guide them through life was given by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) in the course of. an interesting address at the breaking-up ceremony in connection with the New Plymouth Boys' High School last night.

Sir Robert impressed upon the boys that they were to be the rulers of the future, and that in was during their echool days that they should prepare themselves for the destinies which awaited them in the world. They had a great privilege in that they lived In a beautiful country—perhaps the most beautiful country in the world, and they had a further advantage in that, they were members of a great Confederation —the British Empire it was called, but Sir Robert preferred to regard it as a Confederation—and there was none greater than Britain to be found in history. He referred to the part New Zealand had played in the war, which had led to her men making a name for themselves throughout the world both for their heroism and for their good behaviour. The bovs of to-day had this behind them, and they had this splendid record to inspire them to go forward and see and determine that the honor and glory of New Zealand was never lowered.

Sir Robert went on to say that lie tvould like to give them a few suggestions, and the first one would be to cultivate a love for literature. It would provide them with great pleasure [n life and would be a great solace to them in thein troubles. Every boy should buy and read one poem a week, and he should also read one hook a week, so that in time lie would have read hundreds of books. "I don't mean by this that you should not go in for games," continued Sir Robert. "Certainly have your games, for they are Very good for you. If you are to succeed in life you must have gond health, and games would give you that, health which must form the basis of all effort you are to make in life. You must he good citizens, for you cannot get on in life unless your conduct ia good, for without that you cannot be happy." Dangers and temptations which the boys would meet in goini; through life were then touched on by Sir Robert. Re said although the boys, and perhaps their, parents, might not altogether agree with what he was goiusr to say, lie felt that it was his duty to warn the boys against alcohol. He'made a strong appeal to the boys not to touch liquor, and he dealt at some length with the evil effects which reunited from indulgence in alcohol. "There is another matter I want to refer to and that is the perpetual cigarette smoking which goes on amongst lads in every town in New Zealand," proceeded Sir Robert. "When I go to my office in the morning I see these young lads going to their business, and seventy-five per cent of them are smoking cigarettes. This is a curse to them. A man who is continually smoking cigarettes and who has brown fingers does not pay much attention to the higher tbings in life. Smoking may be necessary for old people, and it certainly soothes one's nerves, but it does not' urge a man to do work. I know of numerous failures in life due to this habit."

"I have hesird tliat some ladies liave actually taken to cigarettes," he added. "Well, it may ( be that they have been influenced by the Maori women. It may be that the Maori women have set an example which the English ladies are going to follow, but I would like to warn them not to follow." Sir Robert -went on to refer to the complaint known as 1 "a cigarette heart," and lie declared thatmany men had been killed by cigarette smoking. He impressed upon the boys that it was their duty to live healthy lives and to do without drugs. In conclusion, Sir Robert counselled the boys not to think solely of self, but to work for the benefit of humanity and to do all they could dc help their nation. "Do your work as well as: you can and be kind: if you do that you "will be good dtizena." he canaluded,'