DIFFICULT TIMES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1932, Page 8

DIFFICULT TIMES

MR DOWNIE STEWART’S COUNSEL

CALL FOR NATIONAL UNITY

DUNEDIN, December 19.

The Minister of 1 Finance, the Hon W. Liowme ctewart, was entertained to-night by the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association.' In the course of hi.address lie said he did not share the extravagant views of some that r miracle was going to happen at Ottawa, nor the extravagant fears of otherthat all the bargaining and-'' haggling meant the break-up of the Empire The real value of Ottawa was the recognition by eac-h part of the Empire of tne aims and ideals of the othei parts. It was clearly recognised that agricultural and pastoral countries had the right to develop industrially as part of their 1 national life, and tlnn Great Britain was entitled to protect her farmers to the extent she thought fit. PROFOUND CHANGES. Dealing with the position in New Zealand Mr Downie Stewart said that everyone knew the distressing plight of farmers, and the difficult problem of how to save them while world prices remained at their present disastrous level or continued to fall. The changes .taking place were s° profound that we did not yet know whether it would ba possible to re-establish the way of life we had for so long been accustomed to, or whether a new oi'der of society would have to be painfully evolved out of the present chaos; but wTiat was important was that we should try to keep a steady view, and not indulge in recrimination- and mutual bickering. No thrift and no economy could have provided an adequate safeguard against the present onslaught. In any ease, it( seemed to him to savour of hypocrisy to single out the farmer for criticism when all, more or less, had followed the same line of conduct, “thinking that the long summer days would never cease.” A WARNING. Mr Downie Stewart said lie wanted t 0 issue a- serious warning against hysterical rumours and wild reports that were so apt to meet with credence while the public was highly strung and nervy. It was difficult to know how to prevent them. If one spoke one was accused of undue optimism or undue pessimism, varying with the point of view of the critic. If one said nothing one was supposed to be hiding something. The plain fact was that Parliament had adjourned for the reason stated by the Prime’'Minister, that the proposal to help the farmers by the exchange rate had not materialised, and 'other methods would have to be considered,., which could not be properly examined or dealt within the short time before Christmas. MUTUAL ASSISTANCE. Whether any satisfactory measure of assistance for farmers could be evolved by legislative or political action remained to be seen, but there was one good thing emerging that filled him with admiration, and that was that all round him he saw and heard every day of splendid examples of mutual help and neighbourly assistance by individual citizens, the poor helping the poor, the rich helping tho i>oor, and, in short, the re-emergence of all those virtues which seemed to he dormant in prosperous times. Some people out of the merest pittance were sparing a few pence a week to help families that were still more hard pressed. National unity was vital and urgent. We could oTTfy *ope to overcome oun unprecedented difficulties if all classes and all interests, .whether rural or urban, rich or poor, realised that a crisis threatened the Dominion’s whole social organisation. The times called for rational unity in the same degree ns did the Great War. Mr’ Downie Stewart concluded. “I have abiding faith that our people will rise to the occasion, and by their patience, courage, and endurance enable us to win through. In this task I appeal to manufacturers- with confidence to hear their share.”