A PROFOUND OPTIMIST

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1930, Page 2

A PROFOUND OPTIMIST

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S OPINION.

WELLINGTON, September 12,

Expressing himself a profound optimist ns ini' as tlie destinies and prosperity of New Zealand were concerned liie Governor-General affirmed Ins opinion that with such great assets as this country possessed it would emerge sooner than any other from the present period of depression. His Excellency was speaking at a smoke concert given by the Wellington Commcicial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association this evening. He' had. words of praise for the various philanthropic works performed by the association.

His Excellency said the aims of the association were to promote harmony social intercourse and integrity and the good name of the profession, lasi but not least to promote philanthropic work. This latter work wan deserving of the respect and gratitude of all their 'fellow countrymen as well as the members of the association, for generous support had been extended to many national philanthropic movements. The volume and variety of the association’s work would be hard tor any other organisation to emulate, at least to surpass. If one man suffered all others suffered with him and this, ho suggested was the test above all others that every man, woman and child in the Dominion would have to make a guiding rule of their lives during the next two or three years. Thrift also would have to lie practised. We could not afford to abandon the habit of thrift, which had made the old pioneers the human successes they were. “There are a few clouds skidding across the sunshine of commercial and industrial prosperity to-day,” his Excellency said, “but so far as this country is concerned l am a profound optimist. As time goes on you will find that the qualities inherent in the best type of New Zealander, and the great assets you have in your incomparable climate and potentially fertile soil, will’ enable the Dominion to emerge sooner than any other country from the temporary slough of despond.

“Pessimism is said to be the handmaid of national decay,” he said “Might I suggest -to you all that in these difficult times, when money is not too plentiful, you all take care to see that purchasers get good values for their money My own commercial experience is that what is cheapest is not always the best value, either in goods or in brains. If you want tlie best you must expect to pay a reasonable price for it.”