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is not due to anything inherent in the men them- selves, but is the reflex of the modern attitude to things and persons. Modern literary tastes have undergone a some- what similar process. The best sellers are surely not those works which posterity will claim. Why, even things material portray the collectivist penchant- The pessimists amongst us declare that it is this mass outlook of materialism that is responsible for the decay of idealism. Be that as it may, even in matters of high finance and the currency, the solution of our difficulties is said to be found in the mass control of monetary movements. Mr. J. M. Keynes, in his most recent book, entitled, A Tract on Monetary Reform," suggests a standard composite commodity and the deliberate regulation of credit so as to maintain a stable level of prices for this composite commodity." Control must be substituted for a policy of drifting. The tend- ency, too, in taxation has been to penalise thrift, and to place barriers to individual development by the taxes on earned income, so that nowadays there is little inducement for a young person to embark on trade and commerce. Individual effort is certainly thwarted at every turn, whether in things spiritual, political or material. Let us just examine the functions of the ideal of individualism. The ideal of democracy has certainly been distorted, for all true democrats realise that the individualist ideal must be fused with the communal conception. He realises, too, that progress emanates from the few, who leaven the whole lump, as it were. To hold back the few because the many cannot keep up with them would be a policy detrimental even to the many." The proper function for the ideal of individualism in democracy is to see that something must be done to give more opportunity for the full de- velopment of every citizen. In truth it stands for what has been loosely termed as "an aristocracy of intelligence." The whole com- munity progresses in the ratio of the progress of its exceptional men. Those children that are born exceptional, it is believed, far outnumber those who are born into material fortune. There is little doubt that the primary influence in the development of the individual is contact with A MESSAGE FROM SIR WALFORD DAVIES Wembley-A ugust 25th to 30th. In this month's Outlook readers will find that a supplementary Outlook is, by the kindness of the Editor, harboured within its pages. A word of most hearty thanks from the National Council of Music to the Editor and Proprietors is due here. It was clear that the utmost publicity for the great Welsh adventure at Wembley is needed between now and the end of August, and we are indeed fortunate in secur- ing such an opportunity to reach the lovers of others-may be in persona or through books which are the expression of personality. I think it is just here that both individualism and socialism meet-the desire for a more complete development of all men. Of course, it cuts athwart the mass principle when it enunciates the idea that each person intelligently pursuing their own interest most effectively secures the general advancement of all. Perhaps it is hardly correct to say that the ideal of individualism was first crystallised in the 19th century, for in many respects the phrase laissez-faire has led to much confusion con- cerning the meaning of the individual ideal. There is little doubt, however, that individualism was the precursor of the modern group spirit and the inculcation of class consciousness. There is something peculiarly English, and one could certainly add Welsh, about the ideal of indivi- dualism, with the belief that the State is a com- pany of individuals, just as Italy has given nationalism and Germany the social ideal. Per- haps Wales offers the best soil for the moulding of both the individual and nationalist ideals. One feels in these days that there is truth in the statement that Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves than by compelling each to live as seemed good to the rest." Of course, the word that needs a clean-cut definition in the statement is the word good," and it is this word that opponents of the conception would immediately seize upon. Sidgwick, rather than Mill, has given the stimulus to the ideal that is growing in these days-the ideal of individual justice and to bring within reach of all some share of cul- ture, whether it be by the exertions of the individual or the interference of the State. The idea that individualism must be accompanied with free competition is exploded, and a new and brighter outlook will take its place. The ideal will be shorn of its excrescences, the legacy of the 19th century, and will steadily grow and find its correct place in our changing political, social, and economic fabric. There is no cause for alarm, for the worth of a State in the long run is the worth of the individuals composing it." Wales and lovers of music who read the Outlook month by month. Please, dear reader, glance through the little Outlook enclosed here, from cover to cover, and you will see how you can help to make the occasion one of particular enthusiasm on the part of Wales. There is not a soul who cannot help, either by coming as a member of the All Wales Choir or as a hearer. The Stadium holds 100,000. The occasion will, we hope, be unforgettable. There are certain occasions which deserve the name historic. Everybody's loving effort will make this occasion one of them.