Sir,-Does not Priestley’s contention that there is a new form of democracy which professes to believe that the ordinary man or woman is the best judge of everything ring true? Is it not true that a nation deserves the government it elects? But does it follow that the ordinary man or woman is the best judge? Do we need reminding that the Germans elected Hitler! Would those who oppose Mr. Priestley subscribe to the "give the public what it wants" slogan? It would certainly appeal to those of us whose business instincts are the ruling instincts. In other words, > doesn’t it all boil down to this: Is it right to encourage people to think what they wish? Wouldn’t a University student have to dump all that, cultivate an open mind and seek truth? Yet the great bulk of us are invited to pander to that free style, easy going part of us. Is there not in all of us, buried deep somewhere, "that other part which is only properly at home in Heaven"? Surely flattering them, keeping them good-humoured to get money is a very poor state of affairs. life nothing better to offer? Did I hear, anyone say spiritual starvation? In the world of, expedient materiaiism Mr. Priestley speaks to very good purpose.
N. F.
JACKSON
‘Christchurch).
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19470627.2.42
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 418, 27 June 1947, Page 19
Word count
Tapeke kupu
218Untitled New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 418, 27 June 1947, Page 19
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