“HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19374, 24 December 1932, Page 19

“HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN”

HELPFUL SPIRIT NEEDED. WAR DEBT PAYMENTS. World economic conditions, prospects of a recovery, and the possible results of the attitude of the nations in regard to the payment of the war debts to the United States of America were topics touched upon by several speakers at a recent function held by the Wellington Harbour Board in the board room to mark the end of the year. Among those present was the board’s banker, Mr J. T. Grose, genera 1 manager of the National Bank and chairman of the Associated Banks. Mr Grose emphasised the necessity of a spirit of helpfulness by the people of the Dominion, and said he thought hour before the dawn” in world affairs was close at hand. The chairman of the board (Mr C. J. B. Norwood) said he sometimes thought it was a good thing we could not forsee just what the future had in store for us. Certainly the default by France in her payments to America had produced a very black international picture. He was one of those, however, who believed there was a good deal in the old saying that the darkest hour of the night was the hour before the dawn. He felt that the crisis had been reached. The circumstances arising out of the conditions now existing in Europe would have the effect of bringing the nations of the world together, and out of that would come perhaps the removal of the root trouble of the world’s unhappy state to-day. Whatever might be the result one could not say, but he thought there was one thing of which they could all feel proud at least, and that was Britain’s diplomacy. The British statesmen in the near future would fulfil a very important mission for mankind the world over, and he was very optimistic as to what the result would be.

“All Must Help.” The times through which we were passing, said Mr Grose, were such that all must help to the very best of their ability. The Government was faced with difficulties no Government had been faced with before. “We have never in all the history of the world as we know it,” said Mr Grose, “ex- ! perienced such difficult and desper- [ ate times, but I do appeal to you gentlemen, one and all, in there days to | do your very utmost for tiei common j weal. We are at all times apt to criti--1 cise the Government, probably justly at times, but I think, though, that we j ought to try and make our criticism helpful and not merely destructive. The spirit to help is the spirit we want in I New Zealand to-day. I “In regard to conditions overseas,” | continued Mr Grose, “they are beyond our reach. In very many ways they are beyond our ken. The greatest minds of the world have set themselves

to try and find a plan of betterment. I think that the hour before the dawn is quite close. I sincerely hope so. It may be the outcome of the non-pay-ment by France and some other nations. The payment by England uiider that most wonderful statement, wise, true dispassionate, which they set ou t—l think it will all help to bring about the world co-operation that will lead to betterment.”