MORE FAITH NEEDED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 12

MORE FAITH NEEDED.

AID TO BETTER TIMES. MOVING WHEELS OF INDUSTRY. CITY MISSIONER'S APPEAL. "When things look blackest is the time for the optimist to speak his mind," said the ltev. Jasper Calder at the City Mission service last evening. "I Jiavo tremendous faith in this young country, but no Government can get us out of our troubles of poverty and unemployment unless that faith is shared by New Zealanders generally." Basing his remarks on Ezekiel's vision of Iho wheels, Mr. C'alder spoke of the tremendous part played by wheels in the world's progress. Vehicles, machinery and engines were all dependent upon the wheels going round. Even.' student of economics knew that it was the regular steady "money flow" that made for national progress and prosperity. Relief works undertaken by (ho Government should be regarded as merely an extra. "The people of New Zealand only need a little faith in this wonderful young country and our troubles can be settled in a matter of weeks," said Mr. Calder. "I have nothing but contempt for the investor who ties all his money up in giltedged securities like an old lady's investment at 2$ per cent. Even the small man can do his bit by spending judiciously, Suppose one could wave a magic wand and send 600 motor-cars into tlio paintshup to-morrow, or order new rooms to be built on 500 houses, or send an order for launches, boats, etc. Think of ! the excitement, and then calmly follow the money flow.

"Jt is ;i beautiful romance to follow tlie wheels of faith in industry. The public pays the builder, who pays wages and pays the mill. The millowners pay the buslnnen, the country storekeeper shipping or rail freights, and thus moro wages, like the house that Jack built. Tho wheels are going round. I say most emphatically that £500,000 spent in Auckland wisely in constructive investment would restore the feeble faith of our citizens. I would infinitely prefer that that should happen than to see largo sums distributed in charity. "The cry in Now Zealand from the decent unemployed is not 'no one will help us,' but 'no man Jiatli hired us.' If only this message could be taken seriously and our citizens had tho moral pluck to spend, it would mean that some one would say to our unfortunate friends, 'Go ye also into the vineyard and whatsoever is right that I will pay you.' "I have travelled in many lands, and lived in several," concluded the missioner. "New Zealand will do me. Our heritage of God ought to give us unbounded faith in our natural resources and industrial people. The wise use of faith just now will give us all the right to say 'Better times ahead.' "