WELFARE THOUGHTS FROM THE WELFARE LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18141, 12 January 1921, Page 8

WELFARE THOUGHTS FROM THE WELFARE LEAGUE.

LINCOLN’S ADDRESS TO WORKMEN. “ Property is the fruit of labour, property is desirable, is a positive good in the world.” That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. “ Let not he who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let them work diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.” Down through tho halls of Time comes ringing the speech of Webster—“ God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.” Excess and success are the two poles in life. No man can sidestep trouble, so why not have the fight with trouble to-day and end it? Either lick trouble or get licked. While the trouble is on your mind you will accomplish little; so fight it out to a finish and then go on to work. “The surest plan to make a man is to think him so.” —Lowell. “It’s up to you.” That is a good motto for each of us to adopt, In the morning when we start out and throughout the whole day, Instead of blaming others let us say to ourselves: “It’s up to you.” It isn’t the hardships we meet but only those we lie down to that jump on us. There is no price set on a smile, but it pays the owner all the while. The biggest* blunder in all the world is to make the mistake of doing nothing. Genius means perspiration, a few drops of heart’s blood, years of self-sacrifice, oil stirred in with hard work. Genius is the answer you get to the things you do while the world sleeps. OUTLOOK FOR THE YEAR 1921. After the holidays, in which wo have been blessed with most beautiful weather, we return to the routine of tho everyday struggle. How shall wo face the problems and cares of this new year? Let us hope that it will be with cheerful confidence. There are big issues of industrial trials I deep problems of finance and general government all before us. It is by pulling together as one people that we can succeed in overcoming all our national, municipal, and industrial difficulties. To have faith in our country and people is a good foundation to build upon. It is indeed a splendid little land full of natural resources and rich promise of ever higher greatness. Ihe people are no slouches as was evidenced by their work and sacrifices in the great war against tyrannic subjection. There are those in our midst, unfortunately, who revel in communicating everything evil _ that can be said against the British Empire. To abuse their own country appears to these people an exhibition of superior knowledge. That cult of anti nationalism should have no place in a country such as ours where the people have power to mould affairs to the end of their desires. In this year—1921—we look to see the general desire expressed by the people in the practical affirmation of a health co-operation for the common welfare. The principles of courage, sincerity, and a general mutual toleration are those that will carry for us the best results in this, another year of enterprise. At the time when there is general rejoicing wo remember that there are many who dwell amongst xia who sigh for the father, son, or brother who comes not again because he made the supreme sacrifice for all of us. Amongst those left there arc many noble examples of high courage which may put to shame the petty complaining of those of us mote favourably placed. There is service yet to be rendered to the returned soldiers; to the dependents of those who went, and to all who made special sacrifice in the war—may it be well rendered. 1920 left us with serious industrial problems unsolved, but courage! There are none that are beyond us if we face them with sincerity. In entering upon this further year may wo each and all have the courage to say to ourselves, “ It’s up to you,” then go into it with the_ smile that pays all the way through, and in this way we will find our tasks have become pleasures for our work will be inspired by the conviction thfftf we are “making good”; a wonderful sustainer. Good wishes to all for the year 1921. —(Contributed by the New Zealand Welfare League.)