NEED FOR RIGHT SPIRIT

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22906, 30 December 1939, Page 8

NEED FOR RIGHT SPIRIT

The Mayor of Christchurch, Mr K. M. Macfarlane, M.P.: “The present year closes and the new one begins with the world in a very troubled state. Not only are many countries convulsed in war, but the threat of war comes closer to many others that are clinging fast to a precarious peace. It is devoutly to be hoped that before another year ends, at least, this conflict will be ended and that the concerted efforts of statesmen the world over will be directed to finding for the future some method of solving international problems without recourse to warfare. If a_ true spirit of brotherhood and Christianity prevailed in the world there would be no necessity for the settlement of disputes -by force. “This country has difficulties to face, both in its responsibilities to the rest of the Empire, its allies, and the world, and, internally, in. the economic sphere. There will, of course, be differences of opinion on the methods by which these latter difficulties must be faced, but it is to be hoped that there will be a spirit of mutual toleration and helpfulness among all sections of the community. , . • , , T “To the citizens of Christchurch I convey my sincere wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.” “COURAGE WILL TRIUMPH” The Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister for Industries and Commerce: “The shadows of war cloud the sky as we enter another year, and this fact may serve to temper our enthusiasm somewhat, but we can look with confidence to the days that lie ahead. The resources of the Empire are marshalled to meet all contingencies, and the officers and men of our Defence Forces have proved their worth. With a continuation of that co-opera-tion among the units of the Empire and with our ally, France, we will eventually triumph. “The year that lies ahead has a peculiar significance for New Zealand. It marks the attainment oi our hundredth birthday, the centennial of our nationhood. The achievements of the last century—and they have been many—provide an inspiration to the generation of to-day to emulate that spirit so characteristic of our pioneers: the spirit that met difficulties bravely; overcame set-backs with courage; that showed such determination and enterprise that we to-day enjoy many amenities that are directly attributable to the foresight of those who laid the foundations of our national growth. ~ , , ... “As we enter 1940 I would take this opportunity of expressing the hope that the year will be one of happiness, and to be happy one must necessarily have good conditions industrially, financially and socially. There must be that measure of four-square security and opportunity for development—physical, mental, moral, and spiritual. Here in New Zealand we have an unexcelled opportunity to develbp such a nation, and I trust that the days that lie ahead will be days of peace, prosperity, and success for the peoples “To one am* all I would say, A very happV New Year’. ” THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW CENTURY Mr W. W. Mulholland, Dominion president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union: “I am glad to have the opportunity of again giving new year greetings to the editor and staff of ‘The Press’ and its many readers, and I wish you hll a happy and prosperous 1940. “The year 1939 nas been one of great anxieties, which have fructified in too many cases into terrible realities. Czechoslovakia has suffered the awful brutalities of the German tyranny. Poland has been torn limb from limb with incredible barbarities, because it dared to love freedom and refuse to bow to the tyrant. The National Socialists of Germany and the Soviet Socialists of Russia vied with each other in the fury of their treatment of the innocent Poles. It is necessary for the survival of the inhuman monstrosities that now rule Russia and Germany that lovers of freedom shall be exterminated, and the consequences of any desire for an individual mind and conscience made so terrible that no one dare speak above a whisper. “These , are the ruthless forces with which the opening days of 1940 find the British and French nations at death grips. Through, the mercy of God we, in New Zealand, are outside of the immediate zone of the struggle. On that account many of our people do not realise that we are as deeply involved in the struggle now going on as any country, and that the penalty of defeat would fall with terrible severity upon us. There is too much of the feeling that we are chivalrously helping Great Britain. We are doing nothing of the sort. ' The British Empire is fighting for its very existence, and its free institutions against the monsters of Berlin, and we in New Zealand are being protected from that very real peril by the might of Britain. We cannot realise too soon the gravity of the struggle on which we have entered. Every ounce’ of effort that we can put forward will be needed for victory.

“To-day we stand on the threshold of a new year. But we also stand on the threshold of a new century. We look back on the achievements of the last 100. years with pride. We have carved a fertile land out of the wilderness—a land of farms and factories, and a land of freedom. But we must not look too long, for a new century is upon us, and right at hand is a task as great as any our forefathers knew. For centuries Great Britain carried the banner of freedom and to her we owe the freedom that we have. To-day the burden is too much for her to bear alone. But rallied around her are her great daughter nations, of which New Zealand is the. youngest. Are we worthy of the birthright that is ours? Can we shoulder the burden and responsibility that go with it? I am sure we can. Our dearest wish is that 1940 may bring peace. But we dare not think of a peace that sacrifices righteousness and freedom or leaves; the tyrant free to trample on the rignts of men.”

“TOUGH AND SINEWY TIMES”

Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, and of the Can-

terbury Chamber of Commerce

“Early in the new year soldiers of New Zealand go abroad to fight in a just and necessary war. Those in authority have warned us that the fight will be long • and hard. It is hoped that the courage which has been displayed by these men will communicate itself to the whole population of New Zealand, Plautus said, ‘Courage is the best gift, of all, courage stands before everything. It is what preserves our liberty, safety, life, and our homes and parents, our country and children. Courage comprises all things: a man with courage has every blessing. To supply our share of men and goods so that the victory of our cause may be soon and clear requires a co-ordi-nation of our economic forces, and the co-operation of all citizens in every walk of life. The prosecution of the

war must be the first thought in.the minds of every one of us, because upon victory depends the maintenance of our system of government. t "It is true that to-day in this Dominion we are living in Hough and sinewy times.’ Never before m_our history have we had to face, consider, and solve social and financial problems of such complexity and- importance. It is not a time for the selfish play of local, petty, and sectional interest*, because the personal interests of no one of us can live unless the Empire itself lives through the _ war. "This is, therefore, a time fdr harmony, charity, and toleration among us all, for hard work in whatever duty is to our hand, so that we may save the rights of self-government and the right of free speech. These rights irelong to every citizen, they are as im* nalpable and invisible as the air we breathe, but we could not live and would not wish to live without them, and we would appreciate them to tne full only if they were lost. Both are at stake in the war. X can only hope in the words of a great English statesman: "That to each of us to whom resnonsibility is brought may be gif® vision to see. faith to act, and courage to persevere.’ ” AIM OF FREEDOM ■

Mr I. L. M. Coop, president North Canterbury executive of tee New Zealand Farmers’ Union: <

“It is my privilege as president d the North Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to w the people of Canterbury, through the courtesy of ‘The Press,’ a happy prosperous new year. . ' *, “Although there is a seeming iaclc « co-operation in New Zealand, * assured that it is only on the, surfap> and caused to a great extent by ceaseless party political propaganda W“”£ most certainly is not in the best est of our little country. “We are now involved in what appears to be the greatest war the wtff has ever known; nations 3rrn xL TIS never before and sparring forpoauon* for the right time to strike. The Poles have been massacred by dw force, Finland to-day is fighting for very existence and no country world can be sure that it won t plunged into the horrors of .war. moment’s notice. Surely it is not much to ask of every New to get down to business, and pr *»• t and give service to his utmost so the armies of the British Ernpir®, _ her Allies may be supplied with even thing they require. : to “New Zealand has a great name live up to, and I know that our peo p will not let that name detenoraw. “How proud we al . l cruiser of ours, associated win a vessels of the British Nav>, a J"_ ers3r y much more heavily armed ad and drove it into a neutral po eventually scuttled, prou are of our soldiers who freely teer for active service so that xne may be freed from dictators an peojjjj: be allowed to live a no f n i a ; „r l id like aim is for freedom and I wouia to impress upon the law ™ they should go to the hmit m spect, because when pe °P over-governed they become dissa We have a number of Ptnpricking laws in this country vhich cou advantage he abolished. t jo “At the present time »^, e „ much concerned about ability to produce. Onlj = ® £o# ago this Dominion had its exports restricted, and there _ .jjj possibility that its dairy iJiS* be treated in a similar caused a great deal of di *L_ jjmr* among the farming c ° n ?^ n l 0 perhaps than a lot of P a °P* O U* However, now that we a w h| C b sUi? produce the type of goods giv«tt our land best I am j S finance it W®! favourable seasons and to peak be long before we arrive , do it cheerfully, too™ 1?! is only *£ for the common good, as » doilt g hj» concerted effort. ea^ n war share, that we can win tms thus it is hoped bring peace “In conclusion may x all a happy new year-