The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” MONDAY, MARCH 21st., 1921 THE MAN WITH A JOB

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” MONDAY, MARCH 21st., 1921 THE MAN WITH A JOB

DuiiiNO the war Hainsfather coined that memorable saying attributed to “Old Hill” of t-lie tontemptibles: ‘‘II von know of a betl'T ’ole go to it!” H has remained lor our William Massey to utter a very striking phase on the industrial outlook : “H >ou have a .ink -H< k to it.” -There should be no one in tbe country better acquainted with tin- immediate prospects of New Zealand than Mr “Masse.v, wlio as I’rime Minister and Minister of Finance must have lirst band information about the financial outlook inside and outside the Dominion. Mr Massey, knows all about the tightness of money; the price ol commodities; and tin- market prospects. With this knowledge stored up in his mind, the other evening in the I louse li ( , said the most pregnant tiling in the whole procedure of the brief session “If a man lias a job my advice to him is to stick to it!” This is another way of saying very pointedly that there are hard and difficult times ahead. Those in employment will do woll to lUirso their positions, lirst by spirit of contentment, and second by a keen desire to increase production, and,so help to make themselves more and more indispensihle. There has been so much said j about retrenchment in the public service, that the private employer has got tin* microbe into his mental attitude, and likewise, feeling the financial pinch directly himself, is preparing for the inevitable, and in all the cities and large centres now, employees are reducing stalls and curtailing expenses. This can he but preliminary to a reduction in wages. In other countries even the organised unions of labor are becoming reconciled to the fact that wages have got to fall. Up to the present New Zealand lias escaped the experience, of the logic of events, but now with falling prices for stock and primary products the situation is being brought homo. When money flowed into the country by reason of the advanced prices for stock and primary products, all was well. The average person did not stop to think where all this added wealth was coming from—being produced in point of fact—it was sufficient for him that! the wealth was there, and lie was partiepnting in it. The manual laborer had an innings as well as the rest, and lie won it without any risk or special investment of capital or brains. Hut wo know that there can be no genuine maintenance of production without capital and enterprise behind it to foster the position all the time. Now the man with capital—often small or bor-rowed-and enterprise is feeling the pinch of tbe times. Probably all bis capital is sunk in his business or land, and the banks are now refusing advances. His enterprise is being crippled. He cannot show the same spirited development. On top of that he is getting less for his comniodites. His income is falling, but be still lias bis expenses to keep going. It is manifest, however, that these cannot be long maintained above bis income, and so to make bis accounts balance, to make both ends meet as tbe saying is, bo has got to retrench. This means a stringency, and when you multiply that one man by the several thousands of people to-day who are facing similar prospects, it is manifest that employment must grow less, that wages must come down, and that the accepted adjuster of supply and demand must work its effective way. So Mr Massey founding his knowledge on the facts which are now becoming but too palpable, tells tinman in work to stick to bis job if be wants to have regular employment. The time when men may pick and choose as regards their avocations is passing. In the rigorous period ahead the wageearner must he prepared to pass through a time of stringency. The man who has work to do let him do it well, and contribute bis mile to that volume oi increased producion so essential to meetnational requirements and help stabilise national affairs again. Mr Massey lias given timely advice on tbe employment question, and those will he wise who

pay special liecd to it by acting upon

Tite passing of Kt Hon. Bonar Law from the political arena —if only temporarily—would at any time he a serious loss to the United Kingdom. At the present period of crisis enforced removal is a national calamity. Mr Bonar Law has been a, tower of strength to the government of the country, not only through the strenuous time of the war period, hut all through his brilliant political career-which has- extended over some 21 years. The triumvinte of Lloyd George, Bonar Law and Balfour has been a. most fortunate circumstance to the Empire during the war period and its aftermath. It seems wonderful indeed how these three men bore so great a burden as had to he assigned to them. No less wonderful is it that thee have triumphed for so long. Mr Bonar Law is evidently hadlv broken in health and Mr Balfour too, feels the strain, and will retire as soon as he can. It Was the purpose of these great Englishmen to serve their country to the fullest extent, and they have performed that duty with courage and renown. Mr Lloyd George, we are told, announced the retirement of his trusted colleague, with emotion. Tt would he the severance of an alliance and an intimacy—which seemed to have a strange beginning, vet which tightened in strefigth as the years woiit by. Mr Bonar Law was the leader of the Conservative Party. Mr Lloyd George was a radical Liberal at the head of the opposing party. These men from the two extremes in historic British politics, just knitted closer and closer together as the crisis through which the nation passed called for the personal sacrifice of political prejudices and shibboleths of party belief. It was an indication to the world that the old order ever changeth, and that there is nothing stable. The fusion between these dominant leaders of men was an indication that party government is not, after all, the final means for solving the political ills democracy is heir to. In the new unwritten compact there was surely none mote loyal than Mr Bonar Law. He rose ,as usual, superior to the conditions around him, and gave his party a lead which has stamped him for all time as a. true leader of men. His absence from the stage of politics will he felt, hut we hope his influence always for good will continue to carry weight. The gift of a private citizen to add to the pleasures to he found on Cass Square-the town’s play ground —is a very appropriate one. As a playground the Square lacked facilities for the young children to enjoy themselves. The seniors mid adults were (Mitered for in football, hockey and cycling grounds hut nothing lpul been done hitherto for the juveniles. That want i: ; being supplied and it goes without .saying a ill he greatly appreciated as will he evidenced by the practical use to which the playing appliances will be put. In connection with the fuller use which is to he made of Cass Square, the thought occurs whether the authorities shoiiid not take into consideration the annexation of tin* unused portion »>i Brittan Street adjoining the eastern side of tin' Square and utilise it solely as a children’s play ing ground. Mr Butler is supplying tonor five methods by which the children can enjoy themselves, and there aiy of course other variations of play which can In' added. If the ground referred to were acquired it could he used more particularly for the smaller children where portions could he set apart for juvonile gair»on. A paddling pool could b<* provided, us ulso, u .sand areiui for pastime in designing work. The pith-e of land at present such an eyesore with its crop M blackberries and rank overgrowth could he turned to pleasant usefulness and is in fact one of the waste places about the town which should in any ease he taken in hand for clearing up, and if not beautifying, at all events improving its appearance. The land is an unused portion of street, and has been so for years. It is evident it is not required for the purpose for which it was dedicated, and such being tincase the authorities could have the street legally closed as regards the area, and the section added to Cass Square to become a useful public asset. This is one of the works which could he done by degrees, and when accomplished folk would wonder why it had not been done years ago, so palpable will he the benefit.