Count Your Blessings

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 308, 30 December 1939, Page 6

Count Your Blessings

No Need for Gloom, Says Prime Minister

MR. SAVAGE WANTS PARTY POLITICS SUNK Per Praas Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 29. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, sends a New Year message to the people of New Zealand. He says; “Let us all resolve with sincerity of purpose to work together in goodwill to maintain the benefits of freedom and a progressive social and industrial life. That briefly is my message to the people of New Zealand at the close of an eventful year. If more should be added in the same spirit, I would urge them to refuse firmly to be stampeded into fear about the coming year. It is true that turbulence rocks the world but ueither the actual conditions nor the outlook is nearly so bad as the pessimists and fainthearts make them out to be. Ruthless tyranny cannot prevail against the defenders of liberty, fairness and peaceful progress. There are difficulties to be overcome and great tasks to be done but we shall win through if true co-operation bo the driving force in national effort. 4 4 An end should be made to political bickering and that kind of criticism which discourages people from giving of their best in the interests of their own country and the Commonwealth of British Nations. 4 ‘We are on tho threshold of a new year and this is the time for good rcsi. lutions. May I urge again that all sections of the community resolve to cooperate in harmony and work and fight as a united nation to retain democratic freedom and those social conditions which, to-day make New Zealand one of the best countries in a world of turmoil.

“It would be wrong for me or anyone else to ignore difficulties. At the same time, however, it would be equally erroneous and more foolish to magnify them. Difficulties do exist but none of them is unsurmountable. After all they are in the main the results of an un* paralleled period of substantial prosperity. Hard times for the people as a whole are unknown and hard times need not come at all if legs attention be given to party politics and more constructive thought applied by all the people to national effort. There has been far too much political outcry about temporary difficulties and sectional economic hardship. A counting of blessings would yield a sum rnora impressive than & tally of woes. The majority are able for the fourth time in succession to enjoy a merry Christmas.

“Where is this evidence of good timesf The answer is to be plainly seen in the great number of yuletide gifts, the crowded shops, the throngs of holiday-makers all over the Dominion, and the wide range of social comforts. Perhaps it will be said by critics that I am merely taking a politically optimistic view of present conditions throughout New Zealand but let them show convincing evidence of a marked Jack of general prosperity. The last of the first hundred years of New Zealand's history of European settlement and development does not close in cconomie disaster. The Centennial New Year in this country will not open with a note of despair. If a dispassionate view of everything be taken it will be found that the core of the country is sound and can only be weakened by foolish talk about passing problems. The New Zealand century has been marked by wars, including two conflicts on a destructive scale in Europe. This recurring turbulence has hindered the development of New Zealand's resources and unfortunately will continue to hinder progress until aggressive Nazism has been scotched. As against the economic effects of war, New Zealand has gained the strength and responsibilities of nationhood. Is it wise to dissipate any of that strength in political conflict simply because the policy of the dominant party differs materially from that of the other! Some people have said that the difference represents a clash between idealism and practical systems most of them a old as time and none the better for age. Well, I am on the side of the ideals which make for a better standard of living for the people and nothing will convince me that I am in error or wandering in a mist of progressive ideals. What the world needs to-day is the elimination of selfishness, greed and hatred. It is long past the time for a deeper comprehension of the rights of men and women, a a greater knowledge of international conditions and a wider sympathy. If these are to be kept out of the sphere of practical politics than there cau be little hope of enduring peace and opportunity for real progress on the lines of true humanity. The whole world is out of joint. No smart cynic need retort that I, in the Shakespearean phrase, have been cursed with the task of setting it right. That is the plain duty of every man and woman. They will fail in their duty if they persist in quarrelling over methods of putting crooked things straight. “It is to be regretted that the joy of celebrating New Zealand’s Centennial will be diminished by the anxieties and rigours of war, yet there is no reason for gloom. Let us rejoice that in the first century of our history there has been so much that is good to commemorate and all that has been done ant done so well, can be improved upon in the years to come. Meanwhile it is a common duty to do our best to merit an answer to the people’s fervent prayer— Give us peace in our time O Lord. “I have faith in the future of .set Zealand and will continue to do ever;, thing possible to promote the welfnr of the people. I with everybody a happy New Year." M. J. SAVAGE.