POWER FOR GOOD

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1927, Page 9

POWER FOR GOOD

[THE COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S APPRECIATION

A stirringly idealised conception of the part played in the modern national life by commercial travellers was expressed last night at the smoke concert of the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association by His Excellency the ' Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson). "I would like to make a humorous speech," he said, "but I am going to take a more serious line. I look on this association as an enormous factor for: good in the community. Why I say so is that, a few years ago the Prime Minister at Home (Mr. Baldwin), speakiag at a gathering, of one of the great .Wriendly societies, said: 'The whole spirit of the movement is service for others, a spirit which is more wanted in England a,nd in every country of the world to-day than any other. But because of the great, influence and position of our own country there is no other in which that spirit needs' to bo manifested, since the 'greater part of the world looks to us, as the one country which they hope and believe will sot an example to the world in the stability and probity of its finances, and in its ■willingness to^be of service to the dis^ traeted world. By. teaching our own people the spirit of service which the friendly societies inculcate we are playing our part in making our democracy fitter and nobler; and by doing that we are helping not only ourselves but tho whole world.' FACTOBS FOR GOOD. "Now, gentlemen, do'not think I am mixing you up with friendly societies; but I wane to apply that idea to this association. Let us suppose for one moment, that we- have all gone off our heads, and let us think of you as a body of .disloyal men of extreme views, and that you are travelling far and wide disseminating, those views, can you imagine anything of greater harm to the community? Now let me put it the other way round, that .'you aro ' a hody of loyal men imbued with the spurt of service going, about (as you have this last fourteen years) doing good and trying to help .your country. What a factor for tho good of the whole community. "You travel the length and breadth of tho land, sect and mix with more people than any other men in it. You havo every chance of putting ideas into peoples' minds and moulding their opinions. Just think what a. responsibility you have, as individuals. Just think, for your co-"ort, of the sunshine you will bring- into what is often the drudgery of life for many people, and of how your profession .is glorified by the thought of what a power you are in the community. Such a man is not out to benefit himself, but is one of a band of the best, imbued with high ideals, going throughout tho country, breathing that spirit and preaching that example. That is my view of your association. That, quite apart from tho everyday work, the members of your world-wide organisation have marched • through this country and the world imbued with that spirit of service, knowing just what your body means to your country, to the Empire, and to tho world. That every one of you ia an apostle preaching that gospel. If you feel like that every one of you on Monday morning will feel like adding to the glory of your profession. "I came hero to-night not only for my own pleasure and to meet you all, and to show an interest iv your profession, work, and lives, but I come also as the King's representative, to prove, as I know His Majesty would wish me to do, that your work is fine work, and that you serve not only the trade of the country and tho interests of New Zealand, bnt still more, those of the Emyire of which jou are all ao groud« J- j