Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20th., 1937 PRIME MINISTER’S TOUR.

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 February 1937, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20th., 1937 PRIME MINISTER’S TOUR.

Savage during his first official visit Io the’South Island, since he became Prime Minister, is certain to receive cordial wel-

comes. from supporters and opponents alike. Hie only complaint iliat could be made being that he should have paid such visit, earlier. It is unnecessary to agree with all his policy to admit that he has already made his mark on the Dominion’s policies, and that he, himself, has been unremitting in his endeavour to bring about what he regards as beneficial to the nation. Time’s test will prove' the wisdom of his decisions, but, meanwhile, the whole South Island will join in the greetings be is receiving at lhe places ae-i

tually visited, and will trust that his forthcoming visit to Britain will enable him to further the Dominion's welfare. As an experienced Parliamcn-

tarian he will not, be deceived by the large attendances at, his welcome gatherings and the friendliness of all present, in thinking that, these mean endorsements of his policy. Tn a city such as Christchurch, there are many Labourites who in loyalty to their Party, would make the most, of any opportunity to acclaim their leader. The gratifying feature is that during Air. Savage’s visit, all shades of political opinion will

unite to do him honour. This will be an acknowledgment of his public services, and also a reminder that Labour legislation should be i framed with consideration for all 'sections of the community. Labour’s predecessors in the Ministry erred in concentrating on

benefiting the rural classes. Labour should avoid the mistake of thinking that only “the workers’’ matter. It is understandable that Mr. Savage and his colleagues should give , special attention to wage-earners, but the rights of others must not be overlooked, if the whole country is to progress, and prosper. The Prime Minister’s present tour and his visit abroad, should help him to hold the scales of administrative justice with equal poise. Unless this is done, he will fail in what is his primary duty, and at the next general elections, will probably pay the penalty. Z PUBLIC GIFTS.

Nuffield is a practical authority on public gifts, and his reminder to others who have, to do more in the way of sharing their wealth, was timely. Gifts during one’s lifetime are better than bequests, and should be more satisfactory to the giver, seeing that he has the opportunity of some measure of supervision of the manner in which his wealth is being used. Few have the means to reach Lord Nuffield’s spectacular standard "where donations are concerned, but all can follow in his path, however far behind. Experience proves that after a certain surii has been reached, great wealth is a real responsibility and often a real nuisance. The general "willingness to assume such a “burden” has to be admitted, but that does not lessen, the truth of the statement that great wealth and happiness rarely unite. It is not, of course, the dimensions of gifts that decide supremacy among the charitable. In proportion, Lord Nuffield, despite his huge donations, has been outclassed by many poorer men. For example, take John Wesley. As his earnings increased, so did his gifts. One year he earned £3O, lived oh £2B, and gave £2 to charity. The next year he received £6O, but still lived on £2B, thus being able to give to the needy £32. The next year Wesley earned £9O, still held his expenditures to £2B, and gave to charity £62. And so it continued through the succeeding years. According to moderate calculations, Wesley gave away in 50 years between £20,000 and £30,000. Wesleys and Nuffields do not abound, but happily, there is an increasing recognition of the duty of giving, especially in providing community benefits.