VALUES OF MEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 307, 28 December 1929, Page 7

VALUES OF MEN.

NOT TOO OLD AT FIFTY. MODERN IDEA "DANGEROUS." OPINIONS IN AUCKLAND. A pseudo-modernist idea, which hsa been nurtured in the last few years, is ! the suggestion that middle age is a handicap to efficiency in men. Early this month it was reported in a cablegram from Washington that the Secretary of Labour (Mr. Davis) holds no brief for such false philosophy. "It Is becoming more and more the experience of our enlightened employers," he said, "that men of forty or fifty or over are often better qualified by experience and ability to render service than younger men." Even more significant was the speaker's qualification. "It has been adequately proven that efficiency is not served nor humanity made happier by bringing about adjustments which turn off men of 50 or over." Reward of Maturity. Leaders of public affairs and successful men of industry in Auckland substantially subscribe to the dictum of Mr. Davis. There is a, strong feeling—not, confined by any means to old men— that, though youth will be served, advanced age is certainly not at a discount, and has a definite place in the Bcheme of life. "It has surprised me in recent years," said one, "to notice tho unreasoning manner in which the 'young man' slogan has been bruited about, so much so that quite a big percentage of mere lads have come to openly challenge age. It is a most stupid and harmful tendency, and it has created a looseness or disrespectful tone which is a regrettable feature of community life. It is a decline that must be arrested at all costs for the sake of young men themselv??. As one. having the control of good staffs of men for many years I have a useful conviction that men between forty and fifty years, and in some cases ten years older, show greater application, and are generally more valuable in, the cxerciee of duty. Apart from the actual work, they reveal, a discretion meaning more than can be put into words. I have also travelled far and wide, and travel has shown one that, while higher education has opened the door to more opportunity for young men, the respect for experience and the wisdom it gives in the fuiiness of time remain fixed. Mature men do not allow their industry to be affected unduly by the claims of other diversions. I may say that I am glad to have the opportunity to comment on this matter, which I consider one of pub! ; e moment, especially since the Great War." Real Manhood Power. The foregoing opinion is in agreement frith others, frankly expressed. For instance, a successful manager of a national concern remarked: "Young men of to-day are progressive enough, but in a serious degree they are more nervy, impulsive, and inclined to take the responsibilities of life a trifle too carelessly. And this is where the restrairt of elderly leaders acts as an. essential brake upon youthful wilfulness. You must also realise that the example elders is a considerable influence. In my organisation I cling to men who have shown loyalty, combined with initiative. Sometimes, it is true, they may not be able to accomplish a task with the ,ame facility as younger men, but the latter show the influence of their elder associates."

Another opinion obtained was that of a skilled artisan of 36 years. *'1 recognise that in some walks of life active physical strength is to he taken into account when assessing the worth of service," he said. "Still, even then, the older men' have their ways of overcoming difficulties unforeseen by younger men, who can burk into their jobs when they like. However, age will ever be in demand, because it stands for more reliability. The word cannot afford to relegate older men t,o the shadows —it never has and it never will. Though young myself, I have to bow to this fact." Youth Has Limitations. Another executive offered an equally positive and reasonable statement. "I have always been credited with pushing on the young fellows,". he opened, "but it would be a mistaken idea to assume that old men are useless and can be dispensed with. True, the world is spurred on by adventurous youth, which, however, has its limitations. The real progress, whether we like to admit it or not, is in the hands of men who can look forward as well as backward. As I said before, I am a believer in the advance of -r outh, but it would never do to permit that to mean a sacrifice o? the already progressed manhood, v.hich is the real measure of power o! any nation —probably of civilisation." "I am against Lhis constant excessive applauding of the vo'ung men and tho tendenev to disparage age," said a wellknown citizen'. "Do you think it is young men who have made the greatness of the Empire? No. It has been the result of experience and age. Most of our great men are up in years, and it is the same in most progressive countries. Rich men and old men do not retire in the United States, as it is imagined. They stay on and become the advisers a:id teachers of the--younger generation. I. notice from an article I have been reading that John D. Rockefeller (91 years), Elihu Root (S5 \, Andrew Carnegie, Joseph Choata and Chauncey Depew did .not place themselvjT in the cold storage of retirement. It is the same in the heart of our Empire. Young men must be spurred on—encouraged to work well, and encouraged to play; but the two don't mix." Strong for "Dad." One commentator out of a c'ozen interviewed was all for the priority of young men. He offered no further justification for his contention other than that it was the vogue. "Of course, I am-47 myself, and reckon I am good enough for 20 years," he added, quite unconscious of his humour. Another observer said he considered the extremes to which +he "voung man" idea were being carried were the result of the war, backed up by the young women who had invaded the spheres of employment. "A man is in Ms prime between 45 and 55 years," he said, "and that is the time lie should be most valuable in his occupation. My fa x \er is 01, and I have never heard anybody say he could be dispensed with in his work. I went to the war. It was a gruelling experience, and I don't think I will kr the full benefit of it personally for a few years yet. When I went to. the war, I know now, 1 was too young to realise much. Wisdom comes' in years—there's no doubt about it. I ought to lie at my. Jjest in afew years. It.is foolish for .young men .to get the idea that' men of 50 .are too , old. The while attitude is wrong." V* It seems that respect for middle age is far from dead. Rather, the pendulum has swunj t ether way.