TOPICS OF THE DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20491, 6 May 1938, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Youth’s Outlook “The fundamental thing is anxiety about the world and what is going to happen to it. They are bound to be profoundly anxious about the course of the responsibilities of manhood and womanhood, and in which they have extraordinarily little control over the forces that may entirely overthrow all their plans. Along with the anxiety goes a great bewilderment because so many of the principles we used to take for granted as sure guides to progress are being challenged in many parts of the world and by some voices among ourselves. “One of the great guiding principles of our civilisation has been the profession of devotion to liberty and freedom, but the idea of freedom is itself being challenged, and challenged on moral and ethical grounds, by what have become the dominant parties in some countries and what are vocal parties —though still very small minorities—in our own. It seems to many young people that the answer given to these challenges is rather half-hearted and ineffective. They are wondering whether the challenges thgniseives are not well based and whether there is any great treasure represented by such a term as liberty. This bewilderment is rather increased than otherwise by i what is the most splendid feature of contemporary youth—their burning sincerity. They are quite determined not to humbug themI selves nor to be humbugged by other people if they can help it. They 1 really want to know the facts and face them, because they feel that otherwise life is going to' trap them.”—Archbishop of York.