Ashburton Guardian Magna est veritas et Pr FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1920 Pævalebit. PRESENTATIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9199, 9 January 1920, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est veritas et Pr FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1920 Pævalebit. PRESENTATIONS.

Communities lliroug'hout 2fe\v Zealand are much <>-iven to presentations, ami .sue!} tokens ot esteem are losing some of the siginificance formerly; attached* to them, OYung to tin's ever-increas-ing familiarity. In principle, there is nothing to object to in tisking a departing colleague, or a newiy-made Benedict, to accept v tangible expression of the goodwill of his friends and acquaintances, but in practice,, cause for kindly criticism arises. We touch on the subject with considerable; hesitancy, and our comments, have no special individual nor: local character, but are intended to be wholly general. Few traits; more surprise' newcomers to ihese. .lands thaii. : the:te2idency ji of__tlig.JLn- 1 habitants to make* peientationjTj on the smallest provocation, aiidi, as "rolling stones" or -"birds ,bt\ passage" are* numerous throughout Australasia, ample opportu- j nities arise to indulge in > the habit. The custom of making presentations is a relic of the early days of settlement, and it is easily explained why it then aroused enthusiasm. The r.eci-! picnts could usually claim to have shared with the givers the arduous experiences faced by the pioneers, transit difficulties kept peregrinations at a minimum, and the chances of re-union were slight. Under, the circumstances; it was natural and commendable that a departing fellow-worker should be given a souvenir of old ! acquaintance. But times have changed and so have the' circumstances, and what was formerly a ■worthy custom is degenerating into a travesty. It is hot always the most deserving who get the testimonials, the giving- of which is often due to .the Casual accident of transfer. Instances could be quoted of men who have given many years of faithful service to the community in general,' or to some organisation (in particular, who have never been asked to accept a material-proof of-the'popu-lar gratitude; and appreciation,, mainly because they continue to carry on tneir good work. Others, who oume after, did less,, but removed sooner, have been more rewarded. The presentation habit is becoming' a form of innocent blackmail on some shopkeepers and small ■'-wage-earners. They usually respond to a subscription list, but the frequency of such fails lessens the cheerfulness of the' giving. The time has come when-'a halt is advisable. More prudence should be encouraged where the giving of presentations is eoJUiCerned, and tbe "niatter-of course" tendency should, be stifled. The remedy should partly come from those who are asked to accept tokens of goodwill. They should deprecate any gift the subscribing to which might cause, hardship or inconvenience to some of those expected to add their cjuota. Organisers of such presentations should preserve a sense of proportion, and not help to bring a laudable custom into disfavour through lessoning the honour in deserving cases, by be-stowing-similar tributes 1c th,ose whose qualifications to- receive them are less obvious.