WHAT WILL THIS YEAR BRING?

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 21 January 1928, Page 4

WHAT WILL THIS YEAR BRING?

THE SLOGAN OF' “STEADY EiViERPiUSE.”

(Contributed by N.Z. Welfare League). The year 1112/ was one of great trim and stress lor the British Empire. At times it seemed as it the Mouier Country must break unuer the enormous strain put upon her m the way of domestic and foreign complications. Conflicts of industrial relations; economic stresses; attacks by the red lorces on her outer borders. It was war for the Empire’s life. Britain, however, never snows up better than m times of adversity. V\ hen the fight seems most despairing then the practical genius of our race is found of greatest value. bhe has weathered some of tile storms of last year’s rough weather period .and enters on a new year with signs of hopeiul couhdence. Her industriaf horizon ut present shows fair signs of more peaceful relations toi the coming year. Racial common sense lias recognised the stupidity of British fabour and capitalist fighting each oilier to their mutual injury whilst the only benefit accruing goes to their loreign competitors. The year opens witn a great industrial Conference representative of both partners in industry, 'this plan of joint conference wo have advocated in New Zealand for .a number of years, and will heartily rejoi.ee if the effort proves of benefit at Home, as we think it surely must. The appeal of tlio British Prime Minister, idr Baldwin, for “peace in industry” has met with a heartening response and men as far apart as tne poles in. politics are coming together on the industrial fields to grapple in unity with some of the great economic issues which Britain is faced with. During tile past year the British Government was thrashed and threatened by critics of all kinds. Everything wrong was,, laid at the door of the Government.

Mr Baldwin was stigmatised as a liar, a dishonest person and most other things that are bad. Of course, the Government’s doom is sealed. This is the way of the people, lor all that is right wo take credit to ourselves, but whatever is wrong we can “blame the Government.” 'there aro economic causes and international complications which no Government can avert. There are natural upheavals, due to sun spots some say, which affect harvests, supplies and world markem, and these no Government has any control over. Still is is tlio habit; of such large numbers that whatever' is wrong they look for some one to blame, and the party in power being the most prominent mark is shot at most consistently. WHAT OF NEW ZEALAND. Like the Old Land our own little country has had its full share of' trouble in this fast year. 'Hie Home markets went back on us in respect to our important staple products. then the back wash or the general strike and depression at Home reached bur shores. there was slackness of trade, shortness of money, unemployment up and down the fund. banners, manufacturers, tradesmen, artisans, labourers and tile professional classes —all were hit and in _return have wanted to lnt back, even if blindly. Of course the Government, lias been roundly cursed. It has been uufor-

tunate for Mr Coates that his start in the high office of Prime Minister has been coincident with this period of greatest trial. He and las party are told every day that their end has come. Mr Coates will have to adopt the proverb “threatened men live long” in order to find any consolation from the present situation.

Still there are signs of recovery which bring with them good cheer for the year we have entered upon. Better prices for wool, butter, cheese and other products give hope that the time of depression is passing. The Prime Minister counsels a “moderate optimism.” By that he probably means an optimism which does not lose its head. I his is good advice as there lias been since the war too great a disposition, to indulge in the rash optimism which splashes —which takes no thought for the morrow, or the day after. tVc may look for an uplift in trade and business this year if the slogan and policy of steady enterprise and work is adopted and .acted upon. Last year closed with rumours of vast political changes to come about. New Parties were named without consideration of the historical fact that real political parties are not made off hand—like Topsy they “jist grow.” Wo do lic/t expect any startling changes in the politics of our country, for frankly wo do not see where they are to come from. Leadership which takes the form of high statesmanship is remarkably difficult to find in New Zealand at present. The Government’s mistakes would simply bo multiplied and made more heinous were the present socialist opposition placed in power. All that is .wrong is not due to the Government, and our people are too sane to hold such an opinion for any length of time. The year’s trial wiuen the Government has undergone should make it more efficient. There will undoubtedly be changes, but of general transformation we believe the advocates of political revolutionary change will look in vain.

A steadying of business, more earnestness in> work and enterprise, deeper political thought and greater national effort. These we require, and the year we are entering on gives hope that the worth of this course will be appreciated and followed.