CARRYING ON

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 87, 3 December 1931, Page 4

CARRYING ON

Although New Zealand is in the throes of an election, things still continue to happen in the ouhside world. It is perhaps well that this is so lest we lose our sense of proportion. A survey of those happenings contains very few grains of comfort, unfortunately, but as the domestic prospect is also hardly inviting, it is not a case of flying from those ills we have to others that we know not of. Perhaps the most encouraging prospect among a very indifferent selection, is the marked improvement which has taken place in Great Britain since the general elections and the reversion from the gold standard. The National Government appears to be facing its tremendous task with determination and courage, and backed by the ingrained British ability for worrying along, is grappling with its problems in a much more practical and workmanlige manner than has been manifest in British politics for many. years. In passing, the optimistic hope may be expressed that something of the same spirit may imbue our own public men. On the other hand, however, Empire politics appear to be faced with the inconclusive results and train of further discontent which will f ollow the India Round Table .* Conf erence Ihe statesmen and representatives who have gathered for this conf erence, have been faced by a host of complex problems and although Britain has throughout shown a spirit of sympathetic co-operation, racial prejudices and antipathies inborn through centuries, have proved too strong for all the manoeuvrings of the diplomats, All the other Dommions have their worries and troubles very much on a parallel wTith those which we are experiencing in Nev/ Zealand. Even in America, that land which some would paint as flowing with milk and honey, consternation has been caused by a marked decrease in the number of millionaires. The Balkans for once are quiet, exhausted to sucK an extent by the war and subsequent biekerings, that they have no breath for squalling, but storm clouds hover dangerously low over Asia where Japan and China, with Soviet Russia looming ominously in the background, are almost at one another's throats. Some little comfort may be taken from the fact that for a brief interval, Mussolini has ceased his gesturing, while even the Gallic sensitivity appears to be a little less in evidence. It is true that from time to time, the antics of Mr. J. T. Lang cause fresh consternation or diversion according to the point of view, but with a Federal election facing Australia, some improvement may be affected there. The South Afnerican republics have not been affectthe news but it is reasonable to.expect that before long another r evolution will have occurred somewhere in that -continent. Altogether, with prices falling and unemployed increasing, the general condition of things does not present a very inspiriting spectacle. Yet in spite of the doleful tidings which the morning paper reader finds on his breakfast table, men the world over . are eating their breakf asts, remaining moderately cheerful and continuing to find life worth living even if considerably more difficult. It is this factor of the individual which economists and financiers and politicians are prone to overlook in their depressing ealculations. It . is the millions who carry on, grumbling a little, but neverthele^fe : carrying on, bearing their troubles and their politicians upon their ' shoulders, who are carrying forward the destinies- of the^ world. The weighty pronouncements of party leaders, the clamourous j vociferations of governments all over the world are inclined to i drown the murmurings of that great body upon which they are * froth and bubble thrown up from the sea in storm.