Quo vadis?

Abstract

Extract

I have chosen “Quo Vadis?” as the title of my address today since I believe that we as a profession in New Zealand have reached a critical point in our evolution and that we ought therefore to give serious consideration to our future. In a number of respects the past year, during which I have been privileged to serve as your President, has been a most momentous one in our history, since in many respects we appear to be suddenly “growing up.” The realization that constant parental shelter and guidance have become irksome usually comes fairly suddenly to the individual. We are all familiar with the way a pup or colt suddenly deserts its dam and sets off on its own independent course. Similarly, those among us who are older family men and women can doubtless recall our surprise-perhaps, almost dismay-when we suddenly realized through some family incident that our children were children no longer but had acquired an independence of their own which led them to choose their own careers and friendships, etc., and so order their own destinies. When this moment arrives, the parents' duties as guardian and mentor have ended, and their future role is that of counsellor and guide.