APPEAL FOR COURAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21252, 4 August 1932, Page 6

APPEAL FOR COURAGE

3TIGHTING THE DEPRESSION MORE CONFIDENCE NEEDED INSPIRATION FROM BRITAIN The need of courage in business life at Ihe present time was stressed by Mi*. W. J. Iloldsworth in an address to the Auckland Creditmen's Club at Milne and Choyce's Reception Hall yesterday. The British raco was built on a foundation of courage in adversity, Mr. Holdsworth said, and a display of courage and confidence was urgently needed in the face of trade depression. "Lack of confidence always engenders mistrust and fear," Mr. Iloldsworth continued, "and fear causes stagnation in business. We should not attempt to minimise the seriousness of the present position—that would savour of a fool's paradise—bat the time is certainly ripe for an effort to restore confidence." Mr. Holdsworth instanced the experience of the people of Napier after last year's disastrous earthquake. An entire town had been ruined, he said, but before the ground had ceased to tremble the people were starting to build a new town on the site of the old. That was the sort of courage that should be displayed by people all over the Dominion in times like the present. "I isometimes think that we spend too much time in discussing abstract questions cf cause and effect," Mr. Holdsworth said. "If half the time spent in discussions were occupied in some constructive effort, we should be making some attempt to get out of our present difficulties. Too many gatherings of business men to-day resemble old women's circles with interminable discussions of past illnesses. "If we require inpiration to engender a spirit of confidence, we have only to think of the position Great Britain holds among the nations of the world. This position was not lightly attained. For centuries Great Britain was ever on the side of weak and struggling nations and the ideals of justice and fair play have always been characteristic of her people." Even to-day there were sure signs that Britain's traditional courage still existed, Mr. Holdsworth continued. Last year doubts were held in some quarters as to the stability of Britain's credit. The man'ner in which the National Government came into being and in which all classes of the community united in sacrifice showed t hat Britain was still a vital world force. Still more recently, the success of the great conversion loan must have Btirred the heart of every true Britisher. " There is no royal road to success except that of sacrifice, thrift and hard work," Mr. Holdsworth said. "There has never been more wealth in New Zealand than there is today; never has the soil given so abundantly. There is nothing wrong with the country, but with the people. The captain and crew ignored the signs of the heavens and were caught in a violent storm. It is now the duty of everyone to lend a hand in righting the cargo and repairing the damage before we can sail straight ahead again. The ship is Still seaworthy. "We fin New Zealand have traditions and a past of which we can feel proud, but if we lack courage when faced with adversity, we are going to let down the boys who are following us."