1937-03-09 — Page 11

THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 9, 1937.

The Use Of Leisure

In The East

T is perhaps a commonplace in

these days to say that-in

use

of

is reasonable to assume that a num-

able in many directions. A lot of us are one-hobby men. To take the most outstanding example, the

that there is no difficulty at all in

England at any rate-the leisure is a problem which becomes

be argued that this is essential in it brings. His social position is variety of sports available is so great daily more acute and argent for an increasing number of people. There order to keep fit for long hours of immensely improved. In the shape filling up all one's spare time with are two main reasons for this. One work during the heat of the day. The of the clubs he has at hand resour- these alone. However hot the climate, is, of course, the fact that we still term "sport" may be said to em- ces for recreation previously beyond to say that one must have violent have a great body of unemployed. It brace many non-competitive activi- his reach. In all directions the shack- exercise every day is not merely an ties, such as sailing for pleasure, les fall away, compensating and fin-

exaggeration, it is simply not true: ber of these men and women have bathing, hiking, fiying or motoring: ally extinguishing the initial feeling though a reasonable and regular besides the numerous games which of loneliness. And gradually ma- amount is required. But to fill up never had much idea of the right

are played in the clubs. The Eng- terial and artificial things come to one's leisure entirely with sport is and sensible use of their leisure.

Hishman abroad is to be found pursu make up his whole life, so that when just as much a form of stagnation When their whole time becomes lei- sure time, so that there is in addi-ing an almost infinite variety of hob he is an old and respected resident, as the perpetual reading of maga- tion a gradual loss of the sense of bies, sometimes quite unknown to his with his circle of friends around him, zine fiction. useful citizenship and self-respect, munity activities of all

runs things: com- he is often content never to return to. The sense of purpose is more elu- kinds his native land, and the East has be- sive, especially as it is not in itself we have a problem which requires much ingenuity for its solution. This clubs, dances, societies, charities, come his home. But long before capable of solving the problem. If

church work He takes his this many a man has realised that it is lacking in the sense of propor is being brought to bear both by the State, in the form of vocational part in defending whatever ter- the soul's satisfaction is lacking. tion, or if it is wholly selfish, it is training-centres and camps for the ritory he happens to be in. He also There is vast difference between en- not likely to lead us far on the road unemployed, and by private indivi- Props up the bars and "beats it up" joyment and happiness, and although to happiness. The kind of balance in the cabarets, though not so con- he has secured the one he has not which is so desirable is, in fact, not tinously or in such numbers as one found the other, and is now caught so much a wide diversity of activi- is sometimes led to believe. He up in a net from which there seems ties as an avoidance of self-centred- works hard and he plays hard, and to be no escape.

duals and societies. This work is

valuable and vital in spite of the

feeling that it is only palliative merely scratching at the surface of a problem which is primarily econo- mic, and thus (from a technical point

and action for its solution. Accord-

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friends. He

on the whole he enjoys himself.

Sense Of

Purpose Lacking

ness. We have to seek some form of leisure occupation which is at once constructive and will lead 2 man to higher preoccupations than himself in other words, some form of service to a group of people or to

of view) requiring expert knowledge Sparkling ing to the economists, however, we Surprises must make up our minds to the fact" that a large number of our people are unlikely ever to have any per- er beneath the surface the position written will probably be able to sup- A Bid For manent employment under modern is not so satisfactory as it appears, ply his own solution. It is easy to conditions.

To the young man coming East for be conventional especially from a Services the first time, the material aspects religious standpoint-and easier still

At this point every reader who a cause. But to those who look a little deep- admits the truth of what has been

Standard Of

Living

It is

duals or by means of an organisation The lack of the former is observ- formed for the purpose. It is un-

of life form a long series of sparkl- to be sweeping in recommending a Appeals to take up social service ing surprises. In his office he is remedy. The writer suggests that are usually made by those who are entrusted with more responsibility two things are lacking. One is a interested in getting some particular than he was at home, and this he sense of proportion, and the other piece of work done, either by indivi- The second reason is that values for its own sake and also for a sense of purpose. throughout industry there is a the increased financial reward which gradual but perfectly definite shor- tening of the hours of work. becoming customary to say that, while our fathers (and, most of us are fond of adding, ourselves) had to work hard and long for their daily bread, our sons scarcely know what it is to work at all. Even if this is true, it is only the logical result of an inevitable process.

easier

They Look To Gracie Now!

Everybody wants to laugh. But The march to-day in the cinema audiences only of science has made it

to titter and giggle. There is much produce such things as we need less hilarity now than there was a Theoretically, the general standard few years ago. of living is thereby raised. Man can produce with less effort, and this Is it because people are more dif- is reflected in the life of the indivi- ficult to amuse these days? Or is it dual. The contention put forward because fewer comedians are com by those who have attempted from ing up?

time to time to stem the tide of the There is need for broad comedy mechanisation of industry is provas distinct from light or sophisti ed: the machine displaces the man cated comedy. The corollary is not that we should

abolish the machine and return to Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton our former primitive state, but that and Harold Lloyd used to supply we should find a creative use for it regularly. They never failed to the immense amount of new leisure bring out the bellows. thus forced upon our workers.

Sport In

Hong Kong

Chaplin still functions, but one epic every three years is

not enough to satisfy hearty chortlers. Harold Lloyd takes mouths longer.

fortunately true that although Euro- pean communities abroad support a great number of societies and chari- ties, to which a high percentage of the residents subscribe, the actual work necessary to maintain them is usually done by a very few. The churches, as in anty bound, encour- age service as an integral part of the Christian religion. Other societies It seems according to latest news also include it in their programme. from the production field that we The Toc i movement, as is well must look to Grazie Fields for a known, is ba humorist to compare with the fam

idea Asoc ous old brigade.

ciety this follows course, but it i greater len

parently too local

largely on this Christian so- after of arried to in

Hollywood, sensing the univer that some form of service is made sal demand for genuine, uproarious an indispensable condition of mem- comics, have signed her up with the bership. And this insistence arises, idea of putting her over on a big at any rate in part, from the realisa scale.

tion that for true satisfaction in It will be

life a just balance must be struck how the United

between the multifarious activities -brilliant artistry.

which claim one's allegiance. Toc H exists, not primarily to get social But there is yet no sign of a work done, but to promote the idea Chaplin of the talkies.

of doing it as an essential part of the Christian way of life.

interesting to see States reach to her

Within this movement, and in

to make a talkie than he did to Clark Gable revealed clever make a silent. Buster Keaton seems comedy sense in "Love On The others like it to a greater or lesser to have faded right away.

Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn had

Bun." And this method is, at the degree, many men have found what moment, Hollywood's only way of they were seeking. It would be a coping with the shortage of fun mistake to devote all one's leisure makers with international appeal time and energy to social service,.

to the exclusion of the other was for instance, not a bad terests which go to make up life, a good innings. So did Laurel and move to set up William Powell and just as it is to devote it all to sport Hardy. Jack Hulbert and Cicely Carole Lombard as a comedy team or any other single occupation. But Courtneidge have raised their share in My Man Godfrey.”

there is bound to be something want- But putting artists of this class ing in a life which does not include But British comedians, you must into light comedy

some real constructive attempt to acceed with Eastern the problem

M. B. E in St. John's' humour is 8D- quiring greater guno

The British worker in the East, however, usually lays claim to a standard of education and culture which enables him to make a much more intelligent use of his leisure than his less polished brother at home. Obviously this claim is well grounded. The Englishman is to be found engaged in a large number eminently healthy and sane occupa tions. Sport is a major concern, and where, as in hot climates, it becomes note,

daily rule of life, it can ays audiences.

of mirth.

help

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