Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, APRIL 21, 1947. TURN BACK TO LOOK AHEAD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 19, 21 April 1947, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, APRIL 21, 1947. TURN BACK TO LOOK AHEAD

WE reprint this editorial from the American periodical the ‘Gulf Coast Lumberman’ which was published as a New Year message to Americans generally on January 1, 1947. It is so pertinent in its bearing on the industrial world today that it will be read with deepest interest by thinking New Zealanders —Looking out upon the turmoil and threat that be-fog our National situation at this beginning of a New Year, there IS a wish—a hope—a prayer—that we would OF THE FITTEST, was the test of REAL men and women, like to express, and that is: LET’S TURN BACK. Back to those good, and safe and sane days, when the SURVIVAL BACK to those days when the BEST man got the BEST pay. BACK to those times when the man who could PRODUCE something, was given his proper rank over the man who could NOT. BACK to those days when —“He who SERVED best, prospered most.” BACK to those days when men did NOT. say,—“l DEMAND,”—but—“I DESERVE.” BACK to the days before ambition to POSSESS had outstripped the* willingness to EARN. BACK to those days when EFFICIENCY was the rule by which every man was judged—and PAID. BACK to those days when a man’s HOME was HIS home; when a man’s dollar,'was his dollar; when a man’sbusiness was HIS business, to do with as he saw fit under the Constitution and the LAW. BACK to those wondrous days when EVERY MAN —outside of prison—respected this Government, and officials safe behind public sentiment —en-

forced that respect. BACK to those days when no man or aggression of men, representing anyone or anything, DARED to say to our Government at Washington —“YOU MUST " DO OUR WILL OR DIE—!” BACK to those days—please God—that every decent citizen of this land is anxiously waiting for, when the rights of ALL the people will again be- . come the single law of the land, and when men with hearts

of oak will again hold honoured office, possessed of the bowels to say to those who approached with DEMANDS, —Show us FIRST that what you desire is for the honour and glory of ALL the people, or GET OUT AND DON’T COME BACK!” THAT was once the Test. THAT must become the

Test again, if this nation is to stand. Clap the heavy hand of the LAW upon the shoulders of every man who threatens the public welfare, regardless of whether he represents man or devil, and the law will regain its RESPECT, and the land its HERITAGE. THIS is our New Year’s wish. LET’S TURN BACK.