INCULCATING THRIFT

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 72, 26 March 1935, Page 6

INCULCATING THRIFT

Mr. L. J. McDonald writes that "The Post" reference to the Education Board discussion on the work of a representative of the Post Office Savings Bank in the schools, wrongly conveyed the impression that the value or benefit of inculcating the virtue, of thrift was in dispute. The value or advantage of thrift' properly defined was not and could not well be in question. The considerations were (1) whether or not indiscriminate saving constituted thrift —that is whether it assisted or retarded a thriving social condition; (2) whether a representative of a Government trading concern should be permitted to use the schools to further its own business interests to the exclusion of legitimate competitors; (3) whether, assuming it was necessary to give the children a true perception of the meaning of thrift, such instruction should not be undertaken as a part of the ordinary curriculum. "Your subleader of Saturday therefore proceeds from an incorrect premise—'that some members of the board spoke against the system of inculcating thrift.' Members, myself included, did express the opinion that increased savings meant increased investment in further production, leaving correspondingly decreased monetary - resources available for consumption and: consequent depression of business and industry. Admitting the inevitable need of some basis of saving from the foregoing, it is nevertheless clear there is justification for the expressed opinion that indiscriminate and excessive saving could result only in increased production and decreased consumption, thus widening the gap referred ,to by many eminent authorities as being one of the chief causes of the economic chaos and its concomitant, the unparalled social tragedy that has humiliated and degraded millions of men, women and children during recent years." Mr. Mac Donald further i submits that the question should be examined in al its bearings, and if there is to be special emphasis on thrift, should there, not be emphasis also en charity and reciprocity?

Writing on the same subject Mr. G. H. Wilkin considers that the drone is one who practises thrift and makes the money available only as a loan' on' interest. The correspondent admits, however, that .some are compelled to save as the State makes no adequate provision against disability or old age. "I, as an advocate of currency reform, look upon the legislation you enumerate more in sorrow than in anger, as I can see the actions of drowning men clutching at straws. All' that legislation is an attempt to rehabilitate the primary industries without using State credit. It seems remarkable to me that the people tolerate it, for it is on all fours with class legislation of the Lang Government. Is it the particular brand of our Government that makes it immune from the consequences of such action?"

The view that the ideas of thrift referred to by "The Post" are in conflict with Biblical teaching is expressed by J. Barnard. Study of the Bible.will give a better and higher ideal of thrift than the mere saving of money. "Saving money by young or old is,in principle wrong. But thrift in the wider sense is truth, that is to say, build, produce, distribute and consume is the ideal to which we should endeavour to aspire not with the idea of personal profit, but that the community may thrive and we, as individuals of that community, share in its thrift."