New Zealand's Ideal—What?

In this Colony there is no national sentiment, unless horse racing and betting can be dignified with that term. How few of our young men are thrilled with a knowledge of New Zealand history; how few adequately prize her climate, resources, and free institutions; how few realise that our Colony is a veritable earthly paradise, and how few believe in her marvellous destiny! What a field for the National or any association to work in, to raise for instance young New Zealand above political sect or party; to insist on equal opportunities for all men; to assist any Government that will be fair to all alike; to imbue men with a national instead of a mere class sentiment.

That such a state is possible I am hopeful, if the right cry be raised, a proper ideal set up, and the work properly gone about, for the heart of man is more impressionable than the photographer's plate; and if its chords be deftly touched, it will vibrate with patriotism from the North Cape to Stewart Island.