THE CURSE OF OLD AGE.

White Ribbon, Volume 25, Issue 292, 19 October 1919, Page 9

THE CURSE OF OLD AGE.

“Old age is the curse of New Zealand.” So the Hon. 1. M. Wilford is reported to have said in the House of PaiLament. Does the gentleman really mean this? He was speaking upon the subjec t of promotion in Government departments depending solely on length of service. It is not old age that is the curse, but the astern of refusing to promote the man who is efficient over the head of the man who lazily refuses to keep himselt lit and trusts solely to length of service for promotion. It is a vicious system, because it takes away the spur that would keep a man fit. We are all human, more or less, and if a man knows he will keep his billet, nay more, that he moves up automatically upon the, retirement of those above him, he naturally settles down, and does as little as he can. We believe this accounts for the many Rip \an Winkles that are at the head of Government departments. If two men are equally efficient, by all means let length of service* count, hut the best man should always gc*t promotion. Other things being even, the* man who unites th» wisdom of experience to the vigour and zest for knowledge of youth is toe finest servant anv Government or private- firm can have