INERTIA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 127, Issue 127, 9 July 1941, Page 4

INERTIA

A ROUND of our town yesterday revealed a certain element of concern and hesitancy with regard to the future. Businessmen are bewildered by the course of events. Prospects, they say, are completely beyond them ; it were better, they argue to mark time, to soft pedal, to curtail expenses etc. In a town such as Whakatane, we wonder what on earth can be the circumstances that dictate such a policy. We are untouched by the war, people must live and money is free. With all the well-settled back country Whakatane has at its disposal there cannot possibly be any cause for pessimism. Away with the prophets of gloom. We have too many personal causes for anxiety to be bothered with inventions that completely lack foundation. It is an old and valued adage that the more bewildered a person becomes the more imperative it is for him to keep on. To sit down is fata?. Action and application are the greatest cures of modern ills. This is no tim** for inertia and speculation. If the worst does transpire, it is better that it finds its victims busily employed, rather than tremblingly anticipating. A good doctrine. is to remember that the present situation is 'only temporary.' It cannot last, because of the terrific strain. But to review that strain and become chickenhearted because of its immensity is merely looking for trouble. Our job is to look for the most promising signs, set our course by them and go forward. Some risk is in- . separable from life, indeed it is essential to it. The person who never crossed the road because of the danger of being knocked down, never got anywhere. Those who play for safety are apt to lose all their stakes. It is foolish to run unnecessary risks but it is fatal to seek unnecessary safety. We have as yet nothing to fear, and everything to be heartily thankful for. The way is clear cut and definite. It is a call to duty in a country that by virtue of its isolation is still blest with all the main essentials of life in royal abundance. Yet we have a real duty to perform, and that is to keep up our morale. Nelson's message was to the point, and might well be suited to ourselves. 'England expects that every man will do his duty.' If some of us had our way it would be wrapped in the semi-official cushioned language issuing from departmental pens as under 'England anticipates that with regard to the current emergency, personnel will duly implement their obligations in accordance with the functions allocated to their respective war groups*' But of course we all love red tape. We cannot be assisted by l wellmouthed regulations; the decision lies within each and every one; of us. When it is realised fully that most of our troubles are imaginary ones, we will perhaps contribute more to the normal conduct of the affairs of our country. This is a time when a man must resolutely master his weaker feelings and keep on.