The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1930. TWO POINTS OF INTEREST.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 18761, 27 December 1930, Page 8

The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1930. TWO POINTS OF INTEREST.

Two points of outstanding importance that were raised by the vicar of St. Mary’s in his Christmas sermon, unless more clearly elucidated, might leave a wrong impression on the mind of the average citizen. The vicar made pointed reference to the refusal of Sir Otto Niemeyer, on his return to London, to discuss, with the first newspaper representative who tackled him, his mission to Australia. “We bring one of the leading hankers of the world all the way from England,” said the vicar. “We fete him, and all we have got out of him is ‘I have nothing to say.’ He is in darkness as much as anyone else,” added the vicar, in the course of his elucidation of the text: “the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not.” As a matter of fact, the text most aptly describes the relationship between the highly-capable 11 representative of the Bank of England, and the people of J Australia, by whom he was ] invited to come out all the way from England to advise them. The light of sound financial advice shone in the darkness of Australia’s depression, but the people of Australia, who sat in darkness, certainly comprehended not the value of the advice proffered. All the attacks that were launched against Sir Otto Niemeyer were based on the conclusions of the prejudiced Labour extremists, who resented, not Sir Otto’s failure to say anything, but the fearlessness with which he attempted to enlighten the Australian people; indeed, not only was the great London banker not regarded as a baffled and silent looker on, but bis blunt and convincing reply to Mr Lang’s attacks was applauded by the London newspapers, The Daily NewsChronicle declaring that “the medicine he recommended may be nasty, but it won’t be made nicer by kicking the doctor.” If the vicar of St. Mary’s had not overlooked the remarkably lucid review which Sir Otto Niemeyer addressed to the conference of heads of the Australian Federal and State Governments, he would not have concluded that all Australia and New Zealand received from him was that he had nothing to say. Sir Otto tendered very valuable advice to Australia and. New Zealand, and he made a point of saying, on his arrival in London, that he had

said all he had to say in Australia’ . The review, which was published in August, bore evidence of the remarkably comprehensive grip the visitor possessed on Australian affairs. The Australians were told frankly (and the medicine was unpalatable to some of them) that the Commonwealth is living beyond its means; that no country can remain financially sound unless it balances its budget; that an adverse trade balance spells inevitable disaster. It was indeed a masterly review of the financial and economic situation in Australia; its causes and its perils, and the people of Australia were told in the bluntest fashion that the Commonwealth has to adjust itself to the world economic situation or face disaster. But what has been the sum total of

Australia’s response to the reasoned appeal of one of the most distinguished bankers of the day? So much has the darkness enveloped the people of the senior State at least, that in the first appeal to the people, the party which made the most extravagant promises, and offered to indulge in the most reckless borrowing, was returned to office by a triumphant majority! The light certainly shone in the darkness, hut the darkness comprehended it not! The vicar’s generalisation on the question of war debts was

scarcely fair to Britain. “If nations and men,” said the preacher, “resolved in preservation and humility, not to turn their backs on Christ, but just to follow Him, and take Him as their guide, would that not soon bring us out of our troubles? . . . The nations would say to one another: ‘We want to wipe out of our minds the memory of the war and we want to wipe out these war debts, which were paid with such rivers of blood.” As a matter of fact, every nation, save only the United States, has repeatedly expressed its willingness to cancel all war debts. Many years ago, Great Britain for the peace and betterment of Europe, proposed to the United States Government to cancel £2,060,000,000 owed to her hv the Allies, if the United States would cancel Britain’s

debt to her of £935,000,000, but the Americans refused. Commenting on this decision, Lord Balfour said: “It cannot be right that one - partner in the common enterprise should recover all that she had lent, and that another, while recovering nothing, should be required to pay all that she has borrowed (not for herself, but for the nations).” The point the vicar made would have been just as effective if the fact had been mentioned that the United States has almost fiercely opposed Britain’s offer to cancel all war debts. The American refused the offer* with the

inevitable result that there is a continuous stream of gold flowing across the Atlantic in payment of Britain's war obligations to the United States and these aggregate payments of so many hundreds of millions have served no purpose other than to add to the immense hoards of gold that now lie sterilised in the vaults of the American Treasury and banking houses—and idle gold is the greatest “loafer” in the whole scheme of economic things to-day! THE HOLIDAY SEASON. Although the future is fraught with a measure of uncertainty, no one is likely to be more fortified for the coming days by merely moping round in doleful despair. It is generally admitted that the tasks ahead are likely to be somewhat difficult and perhaps heavy, but notwithstanding the big share of responsibility which every member of a community must shoulder, it is still an economic and physical, and, indeed, a. psychological fact, that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” For this reason, the summer li olid ay season is regarded not as so much time frittered away in aimless recreation and unnecessary pleasurable relaxation, but as an assured dividend in the mental and physical recuperation of all sections of the community. It is generally agreed, that while there has scarcely ever been greater need for a spirit of community good will than now, it is imperative that the whole community should be thoroughly fortified in spirit, mind and body for the tasks that await the people. More than that, a community which allows its vitality to be sapped, very soon develops the dangerous tendency of regarding the troubles of the future as mountains, which to the citizen in good health and spirit, are but molehills. The holiday season is always a pleasant time in Timaru and South Canterbury. The town and district have so much to offer visitors that it would be surprising if the holiday season did not witness a veritable trek of seekers after pleasant surroundings for their summer vacation. The centre of attraction, as far as Timaru is

concerned, is Caroline Bay, with its colourful and picturesque setting and its high carnival. Throughout the South Canterbury district there are hundreds of beauty spots and holiday resorts, and it can be taken for granted that if there is even the smallest measure of fine weather in New Zealand, South Canterbury is assured of a big share. The people of the town and district extend the most cordial welcome to our visitors, and it is fervently hoped that the short relief from the cares of

everyday business will bring immense benefits in the restoration of mental and physical vigour, for in the days that are ahead the people of New Zealand will be the better fitted for the burdens that will have to be carried if they imbibe the spirit of the inspiring message on the Sign of the Takahe on the Port Hills, which reads: “Let us march ou singing, singing ever. The road will tire us less.” Since only a physically and mentally fit community can face its trials with a song, it is manifestly plain that the value of relief and relaxation from the cares of everyday life, if only enjoyed for a brief season, not only has a wonderfully recuperative effect on all who participate, hut has a positive value from the purely economic point of view.