FACTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 136, 1 February 1932, Page 4

FACTS

CECIL H

. CLINKARD.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — I . appreciatie your point of view on many questions; but I think you are unfair in'oxie particular. In this morning's issue you go out of your way to refer to Mr. Forbes's asserted pessimism. No one had ever thought of Mr Forbes as such until he earned the thanks of his country when as captain of the Ship of State he warned the people of the gathering storm; and in spite of vituperation and abuse took what steps he could to meet it. The fact that the economic stormrapidly increased in severity all over the world proved that he had not over stated tfye risk. He has always de-1 clared his confidence in New Zealandand her people. Some time ago you quoted an eminent Britisher as having said: This is no time for easy optimism, and it is; now quite common to find prominent inen approving the frank and perilous line of action which Mr Forbes adopted. Why sir, you yourself in your issue of the 25th refering to British politics say: This is the value, espeeially in times of stress, of courageous frankness in its relations with the public. Quite so. Then why condemn; as pessimism on the part of Mr. Forbes just that courageous frankness in telling the people nothing more than the truth. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales says: "We are not facing a few months of 'grin and bear it' but must train for long effort." Sound advice. In to-day's issue, which is well thought out, you say that: "To-day mankind has passed the crest of the present cycle and faces the downward path." I am pleased that even at the late hour you now realise that fact. But why condemn as pessimists Mr. Forbes and those who agree with him. Myself for one for having realized that fact earlier than some others; and for trying to find a secure foothold a short way lower down the curve in order to make a stand against a still greater decline. There is nothing in the facts disclosed by Mr Forbes at any time; to discourage hope but hope and expectation must be built on facts if we are to escape disappointment and not on optimistic fallacies. — I am, etc.,

Rotorua, 30/1/32.