GOOD RESOLUTIONS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1046, 7 February 1880, Page 2

GOOD RESOLUTIONS.

“ Eighteen Hundred and Eighty and Good Resolutions ” wan the heading to a letter which appeared in the Melbourne Telegraph on the last day of 1879, The letter was written by Mr

’John Alsop, actuary to the Melbourne Savings Bank. It was a brief but powerful appeal on behalf of the habit of the saving. It Contained pregnant quotations from Richard Cobdeu and other self-made men, the sentiments of which, if once realised and practised, ■ assure independence and comfort. “Thrift’’ is the common-place but magic of the talisman which makes the difference between indigence and competence, between insolvency and prosperity, freedom and slavery. Fortunes are not built on what men earn, but on what they save. The brilliant lawyer, who in his zenith earns £IO,OOO a year and spends it, will die an unsuccessful man. His third-rate contemporary) who, earns £3,000 and spends only £2,000, will grow more prosperous, respected, and competent as his years increase. And the axiom holds good in every grade of life. The labourer who out jof his 36s a week, puts by even one shilling, may never become a millionaire, but he will possess the best that millions can giVe—social freedom and respect. Yet thfe shillings a week thus saved form in the aggregate the capital of the world, and the owners of the shillings are the world’s makers. The probability is, therefore, that he Who, saves as a wage-earner, will end by being a wage-payer; he will become the employer instead of remaining the employe. This, however, is but a law motive for the exercise of self-denial. Tile much more Worthy and ennobling incentive is that bf his personal self-respect and liberty which arises from the consciousness of having somethirfg laid by against a “ rainy day.” Savings give security from debt, depeudance, and destitution. It matters not how small or how great a man’? present possessions are, he does not enjoy this Security if he spends all his income. As Mr Alsop says, the grand secret in attaining this pecuniary independence, which may be truly said lb bring with it both social and inbral freedom, “ is to begin saving, no matter how small the beginning.’* The individual or family who, from the first of 1860, commences “a savings bank account and regular weekly savings,” will lay the foundation not for one but for a life-timh of “ happy new years.” The custom, however, should be begun : '4b once,, instead only of a “ good resolution” being made to begin it sbme v.xitne’heace.