MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1923. NEW ZEALAND'S GOOD FORTUNE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 19 November 1923, Page 4

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1923. NEW ZEALAND'S GOOD FORTUNE.

The more one reads of the troubles and trials of the people of the Old World the more one realises how fortunate are the people of New Zealand. Day after day the cables have brought news of unrest and discontent, of rumours of wars and cataclysmic happenings, and we often wonder what must be the condition of the plain citizen of the countries suffering from the disturbed conditions which have prevailed since the war ended. When the great conflict came to an end one did not expect any sudden return to normal conditions, but one did think that five years would have brought considerable improvement. It is, however, difficult to find evidence of better conditions, and in a number of cases they are decidedly worse. Wave after wave of trouble has been sweeping over Europe, and there is lacking among the Continental na-j tions the will to reconstruct the countries upon sound foundations. The war shattered tne whole of Europe, and mistrust, selfishness, and jealousy are preventing the rebuilding. So long has the process been delayed that one wonders if it is really possible for Europe to recover unless a complete change of method is adopted. The determination of each nation to pursue its own ambitions, irrespective of the effects upon its neighbours, does not give promise of good results; in fact, our. greatest statesmen have grave fears that all the elements leading to war are painfully in evidence. Last week these fears were plainly stated by General Smuts and Viscount Grey, and they are by no means alone in their fears. Meantime, Great Britain, who has consistently tried to influence the nations of the Continent to adopt different methods and to follow policies that would lead to more peaceful relationships, is herself suffering severely from the effects of the exasperating conditions on the Continent. Britain has effected great improvements in her conditions in many ways since the war ended, but the grave problem of unemployment has defied solution, though the interchange of views and the recommendations of the Imperial Conferences have raised hopes I that an early improvement will be effected. Emerson wrote in his discourse on "Compensations" that evil to which we do not sue-

cumb is a benefactor." Europe is in serious danger of succumbing to the evils with which the nations are beset, but it is even yet possible if a basis acceptable to all the nations can be found that their strength will grow out of their weakness. Were it not that international affairs were so complex and interwoven, so that our nation cannot take an isolated position, the British Empire could perhaps view the conditions on the Continent with less anxiety, and we in New Zealand could disregard affairs in the Old World. But though the outlook-fora lasting peace is not encouraging, we. think that our people may well think of the fortunate position of this beautiful country. Those who come to visit these islands are enthusiastic and impress upon us the good fortune which is ours. A few days ago the Otago Daily Times publishod an interview with an experienced traveller, Lieutenant-Colonel W. B. Brittain, and he was emphatic in his statement: "I have been in over fifty countries since the war," said Colonel Brittain, "and it is a very curious thing to note that there is no country I have visited that has been less spoiled i by war conditions than New Zealand. The keynote here is simplicity. The keynote in all the other countries harj been .feverish searching after pleasure! and no contentment or satisfaction with1 anything. In New Zealand you have' indeed a lot to be thankful for, par-' ticularly in your young people. They have not got these 'high falutin' ideas as to what their rights are." Such a1 statement as this should be a great en- j eouragement to our people to work hard ' and to maintain peace and harmony in ] the country in order to build up and carry New Zealand forward to her great destiny.