PROSPERITY?

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1938, Page 12

PROSPERITY?

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—We hear a lot about prosperity. What does it mean? In my walks about town recently, I have met four business men I have known for a number of years, all within five minutes of each other, and it leaves me in great doubt of the meaning of prosperity. The first has been in business for about 40 years. He said he built up' his business by hard work and long hours, catching the 6.30 tram in the morning, and returning about 8 o'clock at night. When asked how business was, he said, "Oh, we are making a nice living, without worry. I have sacked my hands, and the boys (his sons) and myself are selecting the best work and making a good living." The second, when asked, said he was doing as much as he could. He continued: "I have dismissed a third of my men, just kept the best, and they seem to be working better, as evidently they do not want to go. I now have less worry, and less wages to find each week, and can pick out the business that pays me best."

The third, when asked how things were going, replied: "They are not going; they are gone. The factory is closed down, about 30 hands have been given their running shoes, the machinery has been oiled up until better times. We can buy better from England." When telling another friend of the above, he said, "You can count me as the fourth., I am closing three or my four shops, and will keep the best one, and with my two sons and another coming in with me, and one or two of my best and loyal men, I will make a better living and less worry with one shop."

If this is prosperity, then it has a different meaning from what it used to. I heard of others, but the above four I can vouch for. —I am, etc.,

EXPERIENCE.