The Bay of Plenty Times FRIDAY, AUGUST 18th, 1939 BLESSINGS OF LIFE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12823, 18 August 1939, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Times FRIDAY, AUGUST 18th, 1939 BLESSINGS OF LIFE

The American Ambassador at the Court of St. James, Mr Joseph P. Kennedy, recently had conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws of Edinburgh University, also the freedom of the City of Edinburgh, and at the latter function he made an encouraging speech and referred to the hopeful aspects of world affairs. He pointed out that we still had peace—technically at heast though open warfare raged in one country. Trade was being strangled, and ill-will, which it would take generations to eradicate, recklessly engendered. 'Without minimising the tragedy of it all the fatal step leading to a general war had thus far been avoided. Perhaps never in history had nations been so bitter for so long a time Avithout coming to open conflict. That Avas the most hopeful aspect of the Avhole situation. War Avas the Avork of men, and being the Avork of men, is not ineAntable. Since avc liaA*e been able to avoid Avar so far, that .should encourage us to hope that somehoAv. we shall be able to Avin through to a just durable peace. We still had our freedom. We could, still read our neAvspapers, listen to the radio programmes Ave enjoyed, say AAdiat avc liked, Avorship as we pleased, assemble and petition the Government for redress of our grieA T ances. Workers had the right to quit Avork. . These are important things in the life of a free country. The people of other lands may see fit to yield their liberties. We should be grateful that avc are still able to retain the Avay of.life, Avhich Ave hawe found, after centuries of experience to be the most suitable for us We still had faith. The blacker the road the more AA r e should need it. The tragedies of 2000 years had not dimmed the desire of man for a better AA T ay of life. Cynics might say that man had not found a better Avay of life. But Ave are still trying to find it. We still had loa'o, A thousand years of cl isaster could not destroy that priceless attribute of tlie human soul. The future of our loved ones might be beset with uncertainties and danger. That of course meant only that Ave should love them all the more. We still had compassion—the priceless gift of human sympathy, Avhich found expression in innumerable acts of kindness and helpfulness, all the Avorlcl over. We still had friendship—loyalty to jobs, and employers and associates, loyalty to country. We still had ambition—that Avhich urged each of us to make the most of his life. We still had ability. There Avas no limit to the things that could floAv from the creative will of man to the enjoyment of life that our scientists, engineers and skilled workers in every line could provide. We still had knoAvledge, and Avere the inheritors of the wisdom of the ages. We still had courage. The calm courage with Avhich people are going about their business is one of the most hopeful aspects of the present situation. The present, like the past, is a picture of many colours. It us not to underestimate the dangers Avith Avhich aa t g are confronted. At the same time let us not lose sight of the eternal verities, timeless and indestructible, Avhich are Avith us yet. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY HE WHO sings frightens aAvay his ills.—Cervantes.