STANDARD OF LUXURY

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1930, Page 7

STANDARD OF LUXURY

CONDEMNATION BY CLERIC. NAPIER, September 25. The Bishop of Waiapu, in his opening address to the diocesan synod today. discussed financial conditions and unemployment, said: “I lie root ol the evil lies in the prevalent neglect of thrift, a mistaken view of the standard of living and the gross abuse of the system of credit. Credit, properly' safeguarded, is of great service in the development of business; hut when used to push sales by the. instalment system it becomes a serious evil and a canker eating into the vitals of sound finance.

“Standard of living is a phrase which was invented by political economists in the middle of last century; and it has done good service in drawing attention to the fact that in their state of affairs there were many workers who could not obtain the ordinary necessities and decencies of life. Labour leaders have rightly been zealous for the maintenance of the standard at a satisfactory level; but undue attention to- these points has led to the creation of a false standard. Everyone has .been led to be dissatisfied with the level he has reached; and too often this leads, many to adopt a standard above that to which they have attained. The standard of living is measured by the standard of comfort; and this, sooner or later, becomes a standard of luxury and pleasure, with the result that nearly everyone is treating, himself to pleasures and luxuries enjoyed by his neighbours with a higher income. All these have to be paid for in cash, whether by instalment or not; and there is not money available for the necessities of life, with which alone the standard of living is concerned. “AVe are spending millions yearly upon motors, pictures and other forms of amusement, tobacco, gramophones, radio, beer and spirits, sweets and gambling. Hardly anyone can claim tflat he is not to blame under one or more of these headings. Extravagance is rampant and thrift- is almost unknown., It is possible for us to live more simply; to forego many luxuries and amuse ourselves instead of paying extravagantly for others to amuse us. This means self-denial. The Church has always urged upon her members the wise restraint of all appetities and desires, which constitutes the real virtue of temperance.”