FREEDOM CALL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20133, 30 December 1939, Page 4

FREEDOM CALL

MAINTAINING BENEFITS PROGRESS SOUGHT SOCIAL—INDUSTRIAL VIEWS OF MR. SAVAGE (Government Message) WELLINGTON, this day. “Let us all resolve with sincerity of purpose to work together in goodwill to maintain the benefits of freedom and a progressive social and industrial life. That, briefly, is my message to the people of New Zealand at the close of an eventful year.” stated the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in his New Year message. “If more should be added in the same spirit. I would urge them to refuse firmly to he stampeded into fear about the coming new year. It is true that turbulence rocks the world, but neither the actual conditions nor the outlook is nearly so bad as the pessimists and faint-hearts make them out to be. “Ruthless tyranny cannot prevail against the defenders of liberty, fairness and peaceful progress. There are difficulties to be overcome and great tasks to be done. We shall win through if true co-operation be the driving force in our national effort. An end should be made to political bickering and that kind of criticism which discourages people from giving of their best in the interests of their country and the commonwealth of British nations. Time For Good Resolutions “We are on the threshold of a new year. This is the time for good resolutions. May I urge again that all sections of the community resolve to co-operate in harmony and work and fight as a united nation to retain democratic freedom and those social conditions which to-day make New Zealand one of the best countries in a world of turmoil.

“It would be wrong for me or anyone else to ignore difficulties. At the same time, however, it would be equally erroneous and more foolish to magnify them. Difficulties do exist, but none of them is unsurmountable. After all they are in the main the results of an unparalleled period of substantial prosperity. Hard times for the people as a whole are unknown, and hard times need not come at all if less attention be given to party politics and more constructive thought applied by all the people to national effort. There has been far too much political outcry about temporary difficulties and sectional economic hardship. A counting of blessings would yield a sum more impressive than a tally of woes.

“Tile majority are able for the fourth time in succession to enjoy a merry Christmas. Where is this evidence of good times? The answer is to be plainly seen in the great number of Yuletide gifts, the crowded shops, the throngs of holiday-makers ail over the Dominion, and the wide range of social comforts. General Prosperity “Perhaps it will he said by the critics that I am merely taking a politically optimistic view of present conditions throughout New Zealand. Let them show convincing evidence of a marked lack of general prosperity. “The last of the first 100 years of New Zealand’s history of European settlement and development does not close in economic disaster. The centennial new year in this country will not open with a note of despair. If a dispassionate view of everything be taken, it will be found that the core of the country, is sound and can only be weakened by foolish talk about passing problems. The New Zealand century has been marked by wars, including two conflicts on a destructive scale in Europe. This recurring turbulence has hindered the development of New Zealand’s resources and, unfortunately, will continue to hinder progress until aggressive Nazism has been scotched. As against the economic effects of war, New Zealand has gained the strength and responsibilities of nationhood. Is is wise to dissipate any of that strength in political conflict simply because the policy of the dominant party differs materially from that of the other? Some people have said that the difference represents a clash between idealism and practical systems, most of them as old as time and none the better for age. Need of World “Well, I am on the side of the ideals which make for a better standard of living for the people, and nothing will convince me that I am in error or wandering in a mist of progressive ideas. What the world needs to-day is the elimination of selfishness, greed and hatred. It is long past time for a deeper comprehension of the rights of men and women, a greater knowledge of international conditions, and a wider sympathy. If these are to be kept out of the sphere of practical politics, then there can be little hope of enduring peace and opportunity for real progress on the lines of true humanity.

“The whole world is ‘out of joint.’ No smart cymic need retort that I, in the Shakespearean phrase, have been cursed with the task of setting it right. That is the plain duty of every man and woman. They will fail in their duty if they persist in quarrelling over methods of putting crooked things straight.

“It is to be regretted that the joy of celebrating New Zealand’s centennial will be diminished by the anxieties and rigours of war. Yet there is no reason for gloom. Let us rejoice that in the first century' of our history there has been so much that is good to commemorate and all that has been done and done so well can be improved upon in the years to come. Meanwhile, it is a common duty to do our best to merit an answer to the people's fervent prayer, ‘Give us peace in our time, O Lord.’ ■ I have faith in the future of New Zealand and will continue to do everything possible to promote the welfare of the people. I wish everybody a happy new year.”