“NO CAUSE FOR PESSIMISM”

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22594, 27 December 1938, Page 8

“NO CAUSE FOR PESSIMISM”

Conditions in New Zealand Reviewed

MR SAVAGE’S CHRISTMAS BROADCAST

(tress association telegram.) WELLINGTON, December 26. Conditions in New Zealand were compared with those in some other countries by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) in a broadcast Christmas message on Saturday night. He said the greatest needs throughout the world to-day were peace, social happiness, and religious and political freedom. There was no cause for pessimism for New Zealand. He expressed to the people of the Dominion his best wishes for their happiness during Christmastide, and for continued prosperity throughout the New Year.

“One has only to join the throngs of Christmas shoppers everywhere to learn how happy the people are in their ability to give joy to their families and friends,” said Mr Savage. “And what can one adequately say about the happiness of New Zealand children this year? It is a delight to observe their joy and complete confidence in Christmas kindness. Life is still pleasant for the majority of our citizens. Here and there a note of discontent is heard, with occasional exaggerated references to economic difficulties. There is no cause for pessimism, and there can be no excuse for trying to create a spirit of pessimism. Conditions are always relative, and under a comparative test, the people of New Zealand are very fortunate in their Christmas experiences. “It will be conceded, I think, that the greatest needs throughout the world to-day are peace, social happiness, and religious and political freedom. All sane people are in search of peace, and the blessings of peace might well be the core of their prayers. This does not altogether mean peace represented by freedom from war. It also means tranquillity of mind, which is associated with lack of anxiety in sickness and old age. These boons are enjoyed by a' large section of the people in New Zealand today, and will be extended in the very near future.

’“Just now it is fashionable to belittle the efficiency of democracy, and say it will not work. We do not agree with that criticism here, and I believe that no matter what hard knocks democratic institutions may suffer abroad, we will always cherish and maintain our own. There is no portion of the Commonwealth where the traditions of British freedom are more jealously regarded than in New Zealand, These benefits and precious privileges and opportunities are in sharp contrast to the circumstances in other lands. Conditions in some countries, indeed, are so disordered and precarious as to be a mockery of the Divine Christmas message for peace on earth and goodwill toward men. If there is any political conflict in New Zealand just now, it represents a test between the welfare of the people as a whole and big profits for the few. “Need I say again that the Government is on the side of the people, and will do everything humanly possible to protect them against poverty and social insecurity; but this is not the time for political controversy. It is a season for goodwill, and the practice of kindness to one another. One would wish that these qualities could be maintained throughout the New Year. I feel sure that if we all were to devote only part of Christmas Day to counting the blessings of New Zealanders there would be no gloom or pessimism throughout a favoured country. To all those laid aside by sickness or infirmity, and temporarily deprived of the joyous activities of New Zealand people during their midsummer Christmas, I offer my sympathy and best wishes for their quick recovery.”