A DAILY MESSAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1928, Page 1

A DAILY MESSAGE

THE NEUTRAL !

lr was Aristotle who said: “The most power!ul lines ol an army are those within its own camp.” j-| v meant the neutrals. For an avowed enemy is less dangerous than a neutral, any time and anywhere.

1 hero are at least three things about a neutral which make him more dangerous than an enemy. You trust him. you depend liopn him. you are able to estimate his danger only after he has done so much damage that it doesn’t matter any more. Rut. however it may he with armies, certain it is that the most powerful foes of any business are the neutrals whose names appear on the pay-sheet.' A neutral is only another name lor a loose screw or a weak link, and, when there are more lose screws and weak links than tight screws and strong links, the machinery of any business, however powerful, must collapse. The man who has no pride in his business is a neutral ; the man who isn’t vigilant is a neutral; the man who isn’t alert is a neutral; the man who measures his output is a neutral : the man who can’t carry a message to Garcia is a neutral; the man who doesn’t make himself indispensable is a neutral ; the man who isn't loyal is a neutral ; the man who has no enthusiasm is a. neutral ; the man who keeps his eye on the clock is a neutral. No Imndy clock or other mechanical device will ever neutralize a neutral, lie may come‘in before nine and leave ■alter six, hut what does that matter, if lie’s asleep from the feet up between nine and six f

No business system or other human device will neutralize him. things may he all right at the top. hut il there are too many neutrals beneath the “top,” the business will soon he “top-heavy.” and the neutrals will heat the “ tou.” For morale in any business is as important as manage-

ment. Field-Marshal Oyama once said. “Give every honourable neutral you meet in our line the honourable jujitsuhikorino.” Why not try it on the neutrals on vour pay-sheet r It will help the business.

M PRESTON STANLEY