SCHOOLS — NOT ARMS
glance at this warring world to find an independent nation that can reasonably be called a democracy and that is actually unarmed. Yet there is such a nation Costa Rica-Central America-is able to boast that she has more schools than soldiers! In the 437 years of her existence Costa Rica has never indulged in international conflict. i? would take more than a ‘casual
In 1923 over 21 per cent. of the entire budget was devoted to education. The military and the police, of course, suffered accordingly. There are to-day 475 schools, 1,902 teachers and 51,500 pupils in a country of less than half a million population. The "army" consists of 246 elderly "unemployed!" During the last hundred years there have been two revolutions, both bloodless, both lasting three days, both ending in collapse. There is little political discontent because Costa Rica has genuine popular elections. Years ago, exaggerated tales of its wealth brought prominent Spanish families and their retainers to the "Rich Coast," but time has proved that the real treasure lay in her soil, not only in her gold,’ but in coffee and bananas. Little Costa Rica freed herself from governing Spain, not by revolution, but by a simple declaration. Thereafter — ‘with great and united sacrifice on the part of her people — she built her roads, her schools, her wisdom and her peace. a Does she offer us hope?
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19390929.2.24
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 14, 29 September 1939, Page 13
Word count
Tapeke kupu
233SCHOOLS — NOT ARMS New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 14, 29 September 1939, Page 13
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in