SOMETHING FOR NOTHING?

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 93, 14 January 1935, Page 8

SOMETHING FOR NOTHING?

A visitor to Dunedin soon, finds that its people look back to their ancestry, and pride themselves on the foundation of , Otago by men from north of the Tweed, dhe Duke of Gloucestei appears to have receiyed this impression, and in reply to his official welcome made a fitting reference to the Edinburgh of the South. When he ■ attended the laying of the foundation stone of the new post office, he received yet another reminder of the qualities, reputed to be inbred in Dunedin inhabitants. “It may be supposed,” said the Postmaster-General at the ceremony, “that the cautious instincts .of an inherently thrifty people are inclined to be a trifle against the large amount it is proposed to spend. . . Those misgivings gradually subsided when it was realised that no contribution was sought from those who would benefit by the new facility. This is a reference to the attribute of the Scots that is most commonly known, through the pages of every humorous paper, to the rest of the world. Yet the many who have come into close contact with the race know that its reputation for carrying thriftiness to tne point of niggardliness and caution to the point of inaction is falsely worn. Dunedin itself is a standing answer to all who imagine otherwise. No city in the Dominion has anything like so fine a record of public benefactions. Its citizens may have suggested that the contemplated building was somewhat ostentatious, and that a more modest structure would have been appropriate, but there can .be no doubt about their earnest desire and need for improved postal facilities. And while they may inwardly rejoice at the thought of getting something for nothing, it will be difficult to maintain that illusion once they, let their minds wander to the taxes they are paying as a matter of course.