THE VALUE OF OPTIMISM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 94, 12 July 1927, Page 10

THE VALUE OF OPTIMISM

IN Australia they have a name for unpatriotic pessimists that sounds very vulgar, but is singularly expressive. It is the “stinking fish party,” and it is applied to those who habitually moan about “hard times,” and who are forever anticipating trouble and decrying the country in which they live. There are some such people in New Zealand; they have been given more than enough publicity, and it is a refreshing change to read the remarks of Mr. Albert Spencer, president of the Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association, in an interview published in The Sun yesterday. Mr. Spencer has juct returned to Auckland after visiting 25 centres in the province, and he is delighted at the optimistic outlook he found prevailing among both town and country dwellers. There is nothing heartens a community to good endeavour so much as the display of a courageous optimism by people in responsible positions—politicians, bankers, traders and -manufacturers. There is nothing which has such an adverse effect on trade and prosperity as the spineless whining which has been so unfortunately prevalent. The one infuses confidence into all the activities of industry; the other is like a narcotic, drugging progress, restricting purchase and slowing the circulation of money. New Zealand is recovering rapidly from the “slump.” Let there be sounded throughout, the land a note of optimism, silencing the distressing plaints of the chronic pessimist. With record primary production, accompanied by good prices, and the expansion of the secondary industries under the influences of wise management and a greater measure of protection, there is every reason for confidence in the future. The “cold shoulder” to the pessimist, the warm hand to the optimist ; this should be the attitude of those who wish their country well.