THE SUPERANNUATION SCHEME

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 21

THE SUPERANNUATION SCHEME

To The Editor

Sir, —The individual case to whiph your correspondent “Democrat” refers (Mat. 19: 18-22) is not susceptible of a general application, which would make it incumbent on all rich men to “sell what they have and give it to the poor.” Because the just Judge appointed that task to that man it by no means follows that He would appoint the same to all rich men.

We often hear it proclaimed that the Labour Government is the most humanitarian New Zealand has seen. It is well, however, to remember that the best humanitarians are those who succeed best in procuring the most real good out of life. If the “fullness of bread and abundance of idleness” which the Labour Government evidently regards as essential for the realization of that good is correct, then the torrid zone, which produces the maximum of sustenance with a minimum of labour, is the place where the best type of man would be found. But it is in the temperate zone, where Nature imposes an effort on man which compels him to put forth effort and work for his sustenance—it is not in abundance and idleness, but in this .exercise, effort and work, that man acquires and retains that efficiency, health, and solid satisfaction which impart that alertness, perseverance and confidence which are tiie characteristics of the best type of mankind. A good example of that type is depicted in Longfellow’s “Village Blacksmith”:

The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands.

His brow is wet with honest sweat, He earns whate’er he can, And looks the whole world in the face For he owes not any man.

He is no failure; he takes a lively interest in, and derives satisfaction from, his work—while some of his rich brothers, who lack these essentials, are pining away in ennui and discontent, having everything, yet enjoying nothing.—Yours, etc., S. HODGKINSON. September 9, 1938.