THE DIGNITY OF BUSINESS.

Timaru Herald, Volume C, Issue 15304, 25 March 1914, Page 4

THE DIGNITY OF BUSINESS.

To the Editor of the "Timaru Herald." Sir,—Such is the title of an article in your issue of the 21st inst, by aMr H. E. Morgan, who sounds a not uncertain note of warning to those who despise business as their life's vocation. Let me ask at the outset from what source do such people derive their incomes. Is it from farming, or the lease of their lands? If so, that is an honourable source. But wjien the corn and the cattio are grown fat, and lit for market it follows xhat the products must be sold, or the richest man must grow poor with no return for his labour or his money. That being so, it becomes necessary ior someone to' do the buying and selling—which is called busine-s. Then, I tako it. ii it is undignified to buy and sell, surelv it is degrading to accept the proceeds of such sale*. What is to be the final result to the persons who refuse to buy or sell such lawful produce; what'but ruin!-' For if labour is undignified, surely the proceeds of such labour must be dishonourable, being equal to receiving stolen goods. Again if the high-born man adopt the rowiers profession, what is his object m doing so. if fanning which neceUito.tes trade practices is beneath him and general business also:- What does ho bear arms for:- Is it to defend a great family name, or is it- to defend 'the vulgar- interests of commerce which ho refuses to participate in? What will any nation become, that neglects its trade or commerce:-' It will soon become the vassal of a more sensible nation —a just punishment. Or, should such n man enter tho church, taking Holy Orders, is he a fit person to minis' tor to the spiritual needs cf erring mankind, whose . great sin is often pride? Surely not." For if he de.-pises a certain class of work, he perforce must despise the workers in that line. It is _a rank falsehood to say that business is synonymous with dishonesty and self aggrandisement. Some cf Earth's nobi'ost sons and daughters hare been business people, and many of them have built and endowed great public institutions, as the result of honourable and suceessfyd business careers'. Let us count the millions sterling given to neechv-.afrcl.■•/services', by successful business "Jfcbple, and' the sums given by I'arge'-Jahded' proprietors of high-sound-ing names. I am afraid the Jatter will suffer by the- comparison. Whether wo realise it or not. nations wliose birth rate exceeds our own, and whoso education is equal if not superior to ours, will sooner or later capture a Jargg/part of the trade we neglect or jiespise. For this increasing number must,.-either be found means of living in their own country, or a sanguinary struggle for lands over-sea wil'i likely result. Are we prepared for the latter result? As one remedy, »Mr Morgan says that wo want to take England's undeveloped lives, and make them pro'dtctiye. This remedy surely applies to ' Britain's ovc-r-sea peoples. It is utterly useless /saying that the last words have i been f spoken in reference to even a jgrcajt.' undertaking, for as tho Dread- ' noughts were followed by super-Dread-noughts, so surely must some -of the gieat public services of to-day give place to those of greater merit, though some invested capital is depreciated therebv. —I am etc.. MARK SAUNDERS, - Pleasant Point.