A Call for Optimism

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 260, 29 July 1932, Page 13

A Call for Optimism

Sir, —I have remarked frequent allusions by prominent men as to the length of time the present depression will last. Most of these people seem to have a very dark outlook as to the future, and their opinions are naturally accepted by a large number of ordinary people. No matter wbat experience one may have had, no matter what goeition one occupies, no one can predict ow long the present state of affairs well continue. The world conditions are too complicated for anyone to give a correct statement on the matter, and a person who professes to see no light ahead should be treated as a scaremonger, and no notice taken of his croaking. No man can read the future, but each one of us, by trying to cultivate an optimistic spirit, can do much to dispel the present gloom. Pessimism induces anxiety, and it is through anxiety or fear that the world is in its present muddle. By fear of the future we can actually create a dark future until at last we meet chaos. But this need never be if we awaken ourselves and spread the spirit of optimism abroad. Fear has driven the gold into the bank vaults, and it is likely to remain there if we don't speedily find useful work for it. Fear has stopped the wheels of industry, throwing millions out of employment. Fear is rapidly severing commercial relations between nations. Fear is causing Governments to lose touch with their people. “Fear of wbat?” Fear of a bogey, of a ghost, of something that has never happened, and possibly never will happen. I fail to see what all the fuss is about. We still have God’s good earth to grow our daily bread in if we sow the seed, and we still have hungry mouths to feed. The seasons still come and the sun still shines. Because a few fools of men in their greed have juggled with the world's coin, there is no need for the earth to stand still. “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Those words were surely written for a time like this. I think we have all heard of the boy who kept crying out “Wolf’’ when there was no wolf there. That is what a great many people are crying out to-day. Psychology plays an important part in humanity to-day. If it were possible to spread a wave of ontimism over the whole world at once, the slump would be over immediately, capital would be released, and each country would resume its normal state of industry. So let us try to start such a wave in New Zealand, and who knows but it will rapidly affect other countries? Even a period of depression such as this is not entirely an unmitigated evil. It has shown men that gold is not the god they thought it was; it has revealed to nations the vulnerable points in their constitutional armour; it has taught us that kindness and charity are not yet dead; it has humbled false pride to the dust It has revealed to many their worth in times of adversity, and greatest of all, it has taught is to appreciate God’s good gifts to men. In conclusion, I dare to say that from the clouds of gloom and unrest that surround us, the world will soon emerge, still beautiful, but the hearts of men more refined through adversity.—l am, etc., P. KEYES. July 25.