MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD. Circulation, 3,200 Copies Daily. MONDAY, MAY 28, 1906. SELF-RELIANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8199, 28 May 1906, Page 4

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD. Circulation, 3,200 Copies Daily. MONDAY, MAY 28, 1906. SELF-RELIANCE.

It is a recognised fact that .self-reliance is one of the most important -.essentials in the building up of a nation, and it is a desideratum that no young country ean afford .to be witliout. The early colonists whose pioneering laid the foundation for the progress of Kew Zealand were as sturdy and self-reliant as it was possible for men to be, and it was hoped that the example tliey gave would be impressed upon the minds of Zealanders to the extent that future generations would regard it as conduct that was noble and worthy of the highest emulation. But judging by the course of events in late years that hope is not destined to be realised. The iS'ew Zealand workman, for instance, is by no means the self-reliant man his father was. He relics upon unionism and labour legislation rather than upon ] his individual efforts, and without these | props he would be in a sorry position indeed. This aid-seeking spirit has also made its appearance m other directions, notably among local bodies. Since it became known that Millionaire Carnegie had money to distribute, numbers of i.ical bodies in New Zealand have sent begging letters to him for assistance, in some cases with successful results. Carnegie is a self-made man; one to whom the pinoh of hunger was j once known, and his millions came to him after many long years of work and labour. While it is true he announced his intention of distributing a large amount of money per annum, yet this clamouring and begging by New Zeahmders for his gold must be equally as repuguani to lum as it is to the men and women in this colon}' whose independence will not allow them to*jtbop to such an act. It is thattkful to know that there are many towns in Xtnv Zealand that have not yet sought Carnegie's charity, and we hope they never wsll alter their attitude in 'tills respect. Public libraries chiefly benefit the working class, and in some of our towns these people are to be thrown upon Carnegie's charity despite the fact I that most of them hold millionaires m ! detestationl. Truly, this is an amusing paradox. . • ■ ■ ,