A NEW ZEALAND PHILOSOPHY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22662, 17 March 1939, Page 4

A NEW ZEALAND PHILOSOPHY

TO THX EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir,— Having received my training in Scotland, it is not wonderful that 1 should be overwhelmed by the greatness of the conception of New Zealand’s Government. I confess when first I dwelt in this wonderful country I thought that the New Zealanders "skited” too much. (I use a vulgarity because it so exactly expresses my impression), but when I saw the superority of their outlook to that of the Scots, I felt it was wholly natural that they should “skite.” Consider! In Scotland a young person is taught that as one sows so one reaps. A life of industry and temperance is considered essential to prosperity and success, “Remember, laddie/* says a father to His son starting out fn life, “you need two friends. and vou will pull through, your God in heaven and a few pounds saved on earth.” Here in New Zealand what a different and delightful philosophy! It is the Government’s job to see you have a good many pounds to spend on pleasurable and exciting things, and the more leisure we have to enjoy ourselves the greater will be our production, which will again give us more money for pleasure. Considering the whole population of New Zealand does not equal that of thcLondon suburbs, one stands amazed at ■ the intellect which has discovered this delightful fact, and wonders what will be the future of this astonishing country. As to the people who have laboriously saved two or three hundred pounds, a Cabinet Minister has told them what they are; they are “dividend kings.” Like so many other foolish people, they have worked hard, to be independent even of this wealthy and generous Government. They might have trusted its benevolence, and rolled round in a car with a keg of beer aboard like their neighbours: but no. they have preferred to save a few pounds and get up early to work. It is to be hoped that Mr Semple’s stern words will go home: “Dividend kings!” It is useless to speak of the farmers. Their day is done. Somebody, somewhere is going to give machinery (one supposes free, as the G9Vernment cannot afford to pay for it), and New Zealanders are going to leave the country for the delights of industrial life. That will put an end to the stigma of being a pastoral people. Hats off to the Savage Government and lei Scotsmen take notes. —Yours, etc., LANARKSHIRE. March 15, 1939.