THE Wairarapa Age. MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1912. MATERIALISM AND PLEASURE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 26 November 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age. MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1912. MATERIALISM AND PLEASURE.

In the course of an interview on his return to London, the Rev J. E. Watts-Ditchfield, who visited Masterton some months back, said that Australian and New Zealand youths were not more seriously inclined than British youths. "Materialism and pleasure," he said, "were the dominant danger." He added that Australia and New Zealand were moving too rapidly, and were inclined to rush legislation. It is, perhaps, hardly reasonable to suppose that the impressions of a gentleman on a hurried tour through the Dominion will be- regarded by people at Home as well-found-ed. At the same time, the statements made are so dangerously near the truth that they indicate either keen powers of observation on the part of the reverend visitor; or a close Association with those who are able to speak authoritatively upon the subject. Can we deny that materialism and pleasure -occupy an important place in the scheme of colonial existence? We dare not. But is this admission a justification for the conclusion that the future of the nation is imperilled? We are told by theologians that "righteousness exalteth a nation." Can we, however, attribute the immense advance made by the United States, Germany and France in recent years entirely to a regard for what is righteous? Are we to believe that the decimation of Ireland is due to a disregard for the> teachings of the Bible? These are questions which at once occur to the lay mind. But allowing, far the purposes of argument, that it is not righteousness alone that exalts a nation, is there not a danger of over-indulgence in materialism and pleasure constituting a | national peril ? Are we, in this Dom- [ inion, devoting sufficient attention to the serious aspects of existence? In J ihe-insatiable lust for gain, and the adject dorotloa to sport an<s anxnß<3» *

ment, aro wo not neglecting those duties pertaining to citizenship which are essential to national development? How many of the youth that aro turned out from our primary and secondary educational institutions have aspirations and .ambitions above the mercenary? How many can be induced to accept responsibility for the good government of tho country? How many devote themselves to the study of national and economic questions? For every one who is imbued with a desire to assist in tho solution of national problems, we find fiunety-ninrv wliose Alpha and Omega is pleasure and self. Some, may say that this fact argues the necessity, for the imparting of religious instruction in schools.' Wo beg to differ. All the religious instruction that can be given will not eradicate the selfish instinct, nor, ..establish national and patriotic ideals in the minds of the young. What wo really want is the cultivation of the individualistic ideal, and the encouraging of a sense of personal responsibility for the present and future progress of the Dominion. The trend of legislation and of education in recent years has been in the direction of destroying individuality, and of creating a nation of State dependents. This is probably why the -Rev \ Watts-Ditchfield ventured the opinion th.lt we were moving too rapidly, and were inclined to rush legislation. Ttjis, in all sincerity, time that we took a halt and surveyed the position from the national standpoint. If it lie true that we are over-indulging in pleasure—and most of our public men will be forced, to .the conclusion that we are —is it not .p f UA\ditfy,io,-take-steps to bring about #reform? How is this reform to be brought about? First, by a radical change in our education sys-tem;-and •secondly by so moulding our legislation that'dependence, upon the State will be regarded as ignoble and vicious. We must establish in the I rising-generation a deep-rooted sense of individual responsibility, and destroy, if; possible, the growing sentiment of-collectivism, which wrecks ambition and produces mental derelicts and national decay.

- In a speech recently made at Man.-. Chester',' Lord Roberts drew pointed .attention, to what he considered the menacing attitude-of-'Germany, and he is "following this up by the publication of a book dealing with the unpreparedness of Great Britain for an immediate emergency. The utterances of Lord Roberts have been strongly, deprecated by the Prime Minister and< a large section of the' press of the United Kingdom. The nation" is not unmindful- of the sixty years' service rendered by the veteran soldier; but it is fearful lest, in his declining hours—he is now over eighty years of age —he may provoke a rupture between the two dominant powders of Europe. Major-General Berhune, the Commander of the Territorial Forces, is doing much by unostentatious effort to place the land defence on a firm footing. The First Lord of the Admiralty ha<s made an announcement concerning the Navy >yhich has evoked approbation of all sections of the community. At a i|ime when it is essential to cultivate friendly relations with our most formidable rival, it is surely ill-advised for Lord Roberts to make a public pronouncement which the leaders of ■ the great political parties have been careful to avoid. The shadow of politics seems to bo over'it all.