PEOPLE WHO WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 3 (Supplement)

PEOPLE WHO WORK

ADVENTURE NOT FOR ALL With a bicycle and ventriloquist's doll Mr. John Keir Cross, a native of Perth, Scotland, described recently how he "took a chance with life," setting out in search of adventure, because he was unable to bear the monotony of work in an office. Below, some of the views expressed by Mr. Cross are trenchantly criticised by an office colleague, Mr. J. Anthony McCluskie, of Glasgow, who is 24—three years older than Mr. Cross. "With very few exceptions we all have a host of obligations to meet in life," states Mr. McCluskie. "There are 500 employees in the office where Mr. Cross worked, the vast majority of whom are 'filled with a smug complacency, and completely self-centred satisfaction with their mode of existence. 1 "What does he know of his colleagues' feelings or ambitions ? Those people of whom he speaks work, and work hard. Dreary work, perhaps, but what can they do? It is a means to an end. They are fighting, starting at the bottom. But they keep on—they do not shirk. They are meeting their obligations to man and God, working to justify their existence. They are the backbone of our nation —the middle class. "These are the people who have got to work day in and day out, officeroutine —the monotony gnawing at their hearts; but they stick it. They cannot go in search of adventure —they have dependants —or they feel that not always will they be underlings, and they will keep fighting to gain the laurels. "Mr. Cross talks of his empty stomach and of not having a place to sleep when he arrived at Preston. Why should he have either of these luxuries? He didn't work for them. Mr. Cross tells us that the poor help the poor. His presumption takes away my breath. Why should he expect help from anybody, rich or poor? He has shrouded himself in a romantic cloak, seeing in himself 'The Last of the Troubadours.' "