1964 Fredericton Encaenia
Alumni Oration
Delivered by: Fairweather, R. Gordon L.
Content
"Royal MP Tells UNB Alumni Problems Should Not Blot Out Wisdom Of Ages" Daily Gleaner (19 May 1964): Extract. (UA Case 67a, Box 2)
R.G.L. Fairweather, MP, told alumni gathered at the University of New Brunswick over the weekend that the accumulative wisdom of the ages must not be forgotten in man’s concern for contemporary problems.
Our duty as Canadians, if we are to make Canada a cohesive nation, and our duty as citizens of the world, if we are to contribute positively to that world, is to make certain that this wisdom does not die from neglect, he said.
Mr. Fairweather talked about the futile pursuit of relatively unimportant issues while the broader concepts of freedom, humility and justice were ignored.
Confederation, a new flag and changes in our parliamentary system were important issues, he felt, but too often they were allowed to obscure the vital problems in our society.
"I can’t believe we Canadians will turn our backs on Confederation, saying simply that it is collapsing when all along we are actually failing to contribute," he said.
But more important than this or arguments over a new flag or proposed changes in our parliamentary system is "the grand totally of the accumulative wisdom of the ages…our duty is to make sure it doesn’t die from neglect."
He felt "it is absolutely necessary to reaffirm today the importance of the individual and the attributes men hold in common without reference to race, religion of nationality. It is essential to maintain a "tradition of civility."
Among Canada’s priorities in such a reassessment are poverty, unemployment, inequitable distribution of wealth, the monotonous pap on our radio and tv, an antiquated penal system, poor hospital facilities, and the recognition of the French cultural fact.
Mr. Fairweather called upon the graduates to help the politicians to articulate these problems. Become involved, he said. Become involved as a university and become involved as citizens.
R.G.L. Fairweather, MP, told alumni gathered at the University of New Brunswick over the weekend that the accumulative wisdom of the ages must not be forgotten in man’s concern for contemporary problems.
Our duty as Canadians, if we are to make Canada a cohesive nation, and our duty as citizens of the world, if we are to contribute positively to that world, is to make certain that this wisdom does not die from neglect, he said.
Mr. Fairweather talked about the futile pursuit of relatively unimportant issues while the broader concepts of freedom, humility and justice were ignored.
Confederation, a new flag and changes in our parliamentary system were important issues, he felt, but too often they were allowed to obscure the vital problems in our society.
"I can’t believe we Canadians will turn our backs on Confederation, saying simply that it is collapsing when all along we are actually failing to contribute," he said.
But more important than this or arguments over a new flag or proposed changes in our parliamentary system is "the grand totally of the accumulative wisdom of the ages…our duty is to make sure it doesn’t die from neglect."
He felt "it is absolutely necessary to reaffirm today the importance of the individual and the attributes men hold in common without reference to race, religion of nationality. It is essential to maintain a "tradition of civility."
Among Canada’s priorities in such a reassessment are poverty, unemployment, inequitable distribution of wealth, the monotonous pap on our radio and tv, an antiquated penal system, poor hospital facilities, and the recognition of the French cultural fact.
Mr. Fairweather called upon the graduates to help the politicians to articulate these problems. Become involved, he said. Become involved as a university and become involved as citizens.
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