PATRIOTISM

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9175, 15 October 1915, Page 6

PATRIOTISM

TRADE AND THE WAR AND THE CULT OF EMPIRE. . (By "Index.") This is a time for the searching of i hearts, a time for getting down to tho bedrock of motive. Patriotism may be defined in a number of ways, according to circumstance. It may be seen under many aspects, but whether in peace-time or war, it is understood as : "love of country-" Sometimes it is difficult to recognise it as pure and unadulterated. When a man gives his life for others on the battlefield, there can bo no question as to what it means; but comparatively few peoplo see that it is as requisite- in peace as -in war. It is as true to-day as when Milton wrote: "Peaco hath her victories no less than war." It should be our guide of action on the industrial field also. This, indeed, is of equal importance to the life of the I nation, inasmuch as in the one case it is translated into action for an uncerI tain period only; but in the other it is required continuously if we are I to be loyal to ourselves and the Empire. Since the commencement of the war, both the politician and journalist, have been- daily impressing the public mind with the necessity of trade within the Empire, and trading with an enemy country is severely punished. But the public mind will take a lot of training before it will understand. This is not to bo wondered at when it- is remembered that the British trader "has looked upon trade within the Empire as insignificant as compared with that outside of it. And why? Because tho favourite pursuit of the age is dollar-hunting, and the moral welfare of the, people is a secondary consideration. When owners of coal mines in the heart; of the Empire, and in a time of vital stress, advance the price of coal 5s and 6s per ton, at the same time fighting the men for a wage rise of 4Jd, to talk of patriotism is a hollow mockery. But now lot us consider the question of trading amongst ourselves. Patriotism is upon our lips daily, and measured by the sacrifice of our'nearest and dearest we are truly patriotic, and so far we are showing love' of country, but in this we are making a virtue of necessity. It is when tihe necessity appears not so Vitally urgent, viz., in the time of peace, that we lack the desire for practising the virtue of patriotism. ( This is clearly shown in our pursuit of commerce and industry, when price and value to the individual is the first and often the sole consideration, trade within the Empire is then an exploded idea with those eager for profits, the nimble sixpence hustles the virtue of patriotism out of sight, ;the public mind is daily and hourly set upon makipg the best bargain irrespective of the important question of trade within the Empire. Even now when the horror of war is upon us, when many of our- people are vowing never again to buying anything made in Germany, we give preference to goods produced so near the borders of that country that it is more than likely German capital is employed in it, and although similar goods British-made of equal quality and as low in price can be obtained for rthe 'asking, yet from want ofi thought and pernicious habit we give preference to the foreigner. There are agents of Continental trading firms travelling New Zealand to-day booming goods which our shopkeepers aro pushing, and careless folk are buying to our own detriment. It may be said that many such lines come to us through the British merchant, it may be so.- but that does not excuse us from our' plain duty of preferring that which is British. And why is this? Because the'public talk, but refuse to think, talking is easy, but thinking is a little' troublesome, at such times trade within the Empire is an empty phrase, and has been put away on the shelf. This is not a question of capitalism versus labour, but whether we prefer the building up of our Empire, preserving and strengthening our race rather tßan give the opportunity to others to dominate us and eventually wipe us out. These others have already declared us decadent, and no wonder when they analyse our actions and see how easily we are caught by a weakness for patronising; born out of pure conceit and love of gain. _ - But not only do we fail in the work of building the Empire, but we aie lacking in the disposition to make our own country what it should be, viz., an object lesson for others j the same shortraip-hted selfishness prevails. Years ago we adopted a Customs tariff ostensibly designed to protect our infant industries, but really intended to raise large sums of money by the taxation of the peoples'; earnings, the idea underlying the policy, was to provided living for skilled workers and means of making money for their employers, the building up and strengthening of national life. Having set the wheels of industry going, we have made the" mistake of supposing we have done all that is required, but patriotism, like religion, wien taken in spasmodic doses is inefficient, it lacks. the continuity which leads to good results, this method hinders progress and leaves us in a quagmire of muddle. The public mind sees no necessity for a watchful | interest in the industries we have, started, of helping to equalise the opportunities of those engajged in them "what is evervone's business is 'nobody's." and the people fall into the foolish habit of asking for one particular brand of goods to the detriment of all others. It is easier to remember I one name than a half dozen, and the ! buver does not trouble about what manufacturer sinks or swims, and hence the maker whose name is constantly on the public tongue is assisted to build up a monopoly until the protective tax intended to assist the industry generally becomes a factor in enriching a small minority, or it may be only one, of those engaged in it. The greatest sinners m this way are the wage-earners, whose whole interest should be (and professedly is) to prevent the, creation of monopoly so that the opportunity of obtaining work should be diffused over the widest area of industry possible.. It is not only when war's alarm is .with us that we sbould be patriotic, the true patriot is the man who will consider it a sacred duty to devote some time after his day's work" to "fit himself for taking an intelligent interest in solving the problems of life, liberty, and happiness, not for himself alone, but for love of country.. . •