Like Dead Fish That Drift Down Stream

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7239, 19 August 1933, Page 6

Like Dead Fish That Drift Down Stream

MAYOR MANSFORD QUOTES A SIMILE Speaking of economic condition;* ■». tho Slilsou school annual ball last evening, the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) asked what was being dono in this country to stop tho drift. He answered his own question by declaring that nothing was being done. “Wo are simply drifting with tho stream and you know it is dead lish that go with tho stream. It takes a live fish to swim against tho current,” he added. “Our political leaders aro like the dead fish—going with tho stream. “It is beyond my comprehension that we, a civilised community, can but look on and sec our fellow citizens wanting for tho common necessities of life. They aro all prepared to work and yet over 70,000 cannot get work in this Dominion. Why? Because there is a world shortago of money and wo do nothing and try nothing. What a vision; what an outlook. luaction admits failure and there is no failure in this lifo except in no longer trying.

“What must have been tho feelings of President Roosevelt on his election as President of tho United States of America with its staggering numbers of unemployed? Comparo his problem with tho problem of this country. Did he falter or hesitate? No, certainly not! His inaugural address pulsates with life and action. Let me quote one paragraph. Ho said: ‘ln our progress towards resumption of work wo require two safeguards against a return of the evils of tho old order. There must be a strict supervision of all uanking and credit and investment. There must be an end to speculation with other pcoplo’s money and thero must be provision for an adequate but sound currency. ’ “Ho was able to seo that, in our present trouble, with all the avcnuC3 and pathways in the wilderness of depression that all those pathways and avenues converge on to the main highway of currency and credit. “If we and the Government will onTy look boneath tho surface, wo will find the money illusion is the cause of most of our troubles. We have grown so accustomed to present methods that we hesitate and are afraid to make reform. The sand is running low in the hourglass and if this Government will not make tho necessary roforms then it will not be long before some other Government docs.

“How many of us have not been affected as a result of tho depression? How many of us have not friends and relatives ruined financially and ruined physically and some, in desperation, driven to tho destruction of their own lives? When we look upon a happy gathering of children such as this are we, as a people, going to let this system continue? I should say no. Your chil-. dreu are worth saving and worth fighting for. I am afraid I havo wasted ■ too much of tho children's time but to \tke children I would say this —yuui parents are making huge sacrifices for you to-day. Keep this thought continually before you and do all in your power to assist and help your parents during this trying time.”