THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1920. A PRACTICAL IDEALIST.

Southland Times, Issue 18843, 8 June 1920, Page 4

THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1920. A PRACTICAL IDEALIST.

The overwhelming majority by which the loan proposal in connection with the Monowai scheme was adopted was a tremendous testimony to the foresight and energy of the Electrification Committee which -owed the greater part of its success to the public spirited activities of one man, Mr A. W. Rodger, but in that vote there was a potent suggestion that the province was bent upon making the most of a good thing that was offered to it. The adoption of the project was a compliment to Mr Rodger, but not until yesterday did Southland give expression to the actual extent of its appreciation of his inspiring example and sclf-sacrifice. There are things in life that cannot be measured in terms of pounds, shillings and pence and the work done by Mr Rodger belongs to this category, but the rapidity with which such a large sum as £2OOO was donated—a matter of a few days—is a greater proof than anything else of the deep debt of gratitude that Southlanders owe him. It may be said quite justly that to his tireless energy, his intense confidence and his refusal to permit private considerations, business, time, health, to interfere to the slightest degree with his patriotic work, that this province owes the opportunity for introducing a provincial electrification scheme. quite apart from any government aid. Mr Rodger, by his example, inspired Southlaudors to give the whole dominion an ex hibition of provincial self-reliance, and it is not too much to say that Otago anti other parts of New Zealand are as deeply in debt to him ns ourselves. It is not necessary- for us at. this stage to recount the steps by which the Monowai scheme was advanced from a promising idea to a reality rosy with brilliant prophecies of progress. IVc may describe Mr Rodger as a thorough-going optimist, a man who can bring dreams to earth and ideals into actuality. Such men arc of untold value to any community and it is an honour for th.e people in whose service they toil to acknowledge their indebtedness. The eulogistic references that were made to his great services yesterday, the handsome testimonial that was given to him. represent but a small part of the debt that never can he fully paid, but Mr Rodger can see past the formalities of the ceremony which took place yesterday and know that over the entire province there exists in the hearts of all a deep respect for his abilities, a warm admiration of the patriotism of his purpose, and a thankfulness that such men as he exist as an inspiration for their fellows. Mr Rodger is a part of Southland history and the future will deal even more gratefully with his achievements than have we of the present, who can see much of the man to admire, aud yet fail, because we are so close, to grasp (he sum of his importance and the full significance of his great purpose.