SEASONABLE PSYCHOLOGY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 147, 19 December 1930, Page 10

SEASONABLE PSYCHOLOGY

The year 1930 is hastening to its •end. Jts departure will not be regretted. For one thing, it will be remembered as the year in which the - values of practically all commodities (excepting gold) fell with dramatic suddenness.. Why pripes so collapsed is still, it seems, imperfectly understood. The painful fact remains that, minerals, foodstuffs, textiles, and other fruits of industry in first hands have reached such low price-levels as were ,unthought of and unprovided for, and, moreover, the avalanche has been such as was beyond the power of man to avert. But there is no need to dilate upon its effects on the labour markets of the world —not excluding that of New Zealand. The psychological effects of present economic conditions, however, are not so easy to understand and mitigate. Everybody feels that "something must be done," but there is great divergence of opinion as to what that something should be. Among some of the remedies suggested for "the present discontents" is the adoption of a more optimistic tone. It has been necessary in the past, and it is necessary still, to state unpleasant facts and face, them without blinking. But this is never a pleasant duty. As Cleopatra reminded the unfortunate Messenger, bearing tidings of Marc Antony:— Though it be honest, it is never good To bring bact news: give to a gracious message A host of tongues; but let ill-tidings * tell Themselves, when they bo felt. Unfortunately, since the end of 1929, "gracious messages" have not outnumbered those that have been far from gracious. A suggestion, rather than a message, may now be added that, wherever the means permit, observance of Christmas 1930 shall be at least in the same spirit as that of its predecessors. The season is one in which it is peculiarly fitting to express thankfulness—at least once every year. That expression usually takes the form of gifts. No doubt many people are poorer today than they were a year ago, but need not on that account deny themselves the happiness.of making others happy. Never was the occasion fitter than now of making Christmas a veritable season of thankfulness and joy. In such a spirit the troubles of the past may easily be forgotten, and the future faced'with hope and confidence renewed; and such a spirit, too, is the best solvent known for all the difficulties of the present time, and to apply to those that may have to be dealt with in the new