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Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1920, Page 2

The particulars given in our previous issue of the new church to take the place of the present AH Saints’ Church j is an evidence of renewed activity in the religious life of the community This is a good thing, and we hope is a true sign of the times. Every com nninity can do with more expression of a true religious feeling, and anything which will assist in contributing to that end should be encouraged These -are very unrestful days, ana they are contributed to in a measure by the independent spirit which is pervading humanity. A true spiritual life in which devotional recognition is given to the Almighty cannot do any conn try any harm—it will, in point of fact uplift it and render its people happier and more c on tented. Church life needs to lie self centred and the best, way to maintain an interest and a grin is to be working for some definite goai. The local community will have a con siderablie task to accomplish in the erection of the very fine Church for t : c public worhsip which is being planned But it will be something worth doing and doing well, and in the ehd th-i congregation will be the better spiritu alfly for the effort. The effort will call for sustained and practical interest in the work ahead, and if the congregation get together and apply themselves with the enthusiasm they'should, their task, difficult as it may appear at the outset, will be realised in the end. The townspeople are sure Jo co-operate in such a project, the outcome of which will endow the town and district with an edifice which will redound to the credit of all interested in the welfare and advancement of the place. The new Church will be evidence of the progress of the place and a symbol of the reality of the Christian life of the community.

After reviewing America’s rein likable prosperity, a prominent critic goes on to say: “All very fine, hut there is a reverse side to the picture. Cracks are beginning to appear in our financial structure. The stock market is a baro-

| meter, even though it does not always j register truly and it is wobbling. Even •the bond market is uncertain, mil, j while attractive issues sell with fair j rapidity there is a growing tend rncy ;to wait. More people are turning back Ito the land. Our prosperity is beginI ning to assume a hectic quality. The situation is unsatisfactory. Buying is j too feverish; extravagance is imwhole- , some. High prices continue with no j sign of abatement. The food cost level | rises from month to month. Hi/ is £7 1 10 s a ton. It used to be £2 The un- | productiveness of labour continues. Farj seeing men believe that a dras+'c readj justment is much nearer than it seems, : Strikes cannot continue without mnterij ally affecting the purchasing power of the country. Many dealers have pur- ■ chased heavily of commodities I which they are holding for I still higher prices. The orgy of spending is drawing to a close and when it is over these shelf profits may he Hirne-t into losses overnight. Bank credits in some parts of the country have been strained to the utmost to carry these stocks and maintain prices at unprecedented levels. Enormous stocks of hemp, hides, leather, grain products meats, and textiles have been accumulated, and New York warehouses nr.said to hold £50,000.000 worth of silk fibre. In spite of this the uric' of raw silk may bo sent to £4 per lb. And the crash must come.”