"NOTHING DOING."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LVIV, Issue 83, 24 December 1926, Page 4

"NOTHING DOING."

There is possibly to most temperaments nothing more rxiisperatuig than to be continually told that, theie; is "nothing doing," says tlie ''Poverty Bay Herald." It is heard in the marketplace, in the sale room, in the broker's office; it is to bo feared it' has reached the farm. This parrot cry enervates instead of inspires. Greatness cannot grow out of negations. Tliß phrase has its place where its use borders upon slang. When a man is followed up rather keenly by a friend, who is most anxious, for his good, that ho should invest in. some fabulous diamond mine of Goleonda, or go in for the potential wealth of future vast forest plantations, or even sound the chances of a modern lottery, in which the chances diminish exactly in proportion to the popularity of 'the enticement: and when the pursued on© knows that his purposeful friend docs not really care twopence for his welfare, but is only after the commission, it is almost refreshing, after extending him to the last extravagance, to turn away with the remark '"Nothing doing!" ! It is the pessimist in the street, to be found, too, in business, on the land, everywhere, that does more harm than he knows, by the use of an inapc phrase. It is in his mouth that the cry is as aggravating as yvaiitiug up Gladstone road against'a westerly gaie. in iSew Zieaiaud, in every rural district, and even in Gisbome, thero is so much to do, that 'one rcai trouble-is that under old methods, crystalised, and just a little sanctified by their antiquity, fully one hair of wha't might be done is leit undone. "Nothingi doing" is often the salve applied in justincation of the refusal to make use of the new conditions and opportunities which increasing knowledge on every side is offering with open hand. There was probably never a time in the history of the- Dominion .when there was so much to do and such improved facilities for getting some at Jeast of it done. With fair prices for wool, meat and butter it is difficult to account for the pessimism which undoubtedly is far too much in evidence. If we have no confidence in our lands, our enterprises, and ourselves, it is certain that that want of confidence will extend to those thufc the country depends upon to back up with money the enterprises of its settlers. "