THE STRENGTH OF LOYALTY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19801, 17 May 1934, Page 13

THE STRENGTH OF LOYALTY

NEED FOR GREATER CONFIDENCE ADDRESS TO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “When we study world conditions today we cannot fail to be impressed by the fact that there is throughout the world a great deal of mutual distrust,” said Mr A. P. Greenfield, retiring president of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, in his presidential address to members at the annual meeting last night, when expressing l his views on “loyalty” as applied to our daily task. Mr Greenfield said that each nation was using all its resources to prevent being left behind in some direction or other by other nations. We had seen that even the League of Nations designed to secure harmony and peace throughout the world had failed very largely in its efforts, some countries having withdrawn altogether from the League, and, as it was with nations, so- also with each country there was a great lack of mutual confidence and trust and this must contribute very largely to the disturbed conditions that we find existing here to-day. It was a matter which was largely to be regretted. Influence of the Home. “If you consider the home, which is, after all, the unit from which the nation is built, you find the family bound together with the strong tie of loyalty, united by the bond of kinship and affection,” said Mr Greenfield. “It is this bond that helps largely to make home, sweet home. The parents’ whole endeavours are directed to the best interests of the children, and the children look to the parents for guidance, sympathy and help. Thus is created the sentiment of loyalty which binds the family together. When the boy goes to school, he learns there, quite as important as ordinary subjects of the curriculum, the spirit of loyalty to his comrades and to his school; his class-mates constitute his best friends and he thus is initiated into the team spirit where one works not for himself alone, but for the good name of his fellows and his school.” If he was a member of the cricket or football team, he gave his loyal cooperation putting forth his best efforts for his team and his school. The following lines were well knowm:— “And it’s not for the sake of a ribbon coat, Or the selfish hope of a season’s fame; But his captain’s hand on his shoulder smote, Play up, play up, and play the game.” That is the true spirit of loyalty. The history of our Homeland had shown us all how strong this tie of loyalty could bind the nations. The clans of Scotland, the Irish folk, the men of Wales and the County men of, lot example, Devon, had all. been noted for their loyalty to their people

or to their country. In our own New’ Zealand the men who went overseas were linked together by the bond of loyalty, and were still so linked by the bond of good fellowship and though most of us in following our ordinary occupations had no such opportunity as these men had of proving our loyalty in a similar ■yvay, yet it seemed to him that, even right at our hands, the opportunity did exist if we would only seize it. Goodwill in Business. “The loyalty that we have shown in our schooldays might well be maintained in some measure in our associations with out fellowmen in our business and our occupations,” the president continued. “Mutual trust and confidence form the basis of such loyalty—the head of the firm securing the goodwill of the men and the men giving their best in response to his confidence in them so that the spirit which imbued the team out of the school or the regiment will be revived again in their daily task. Indeed, it is not too much to say that, in such circumstances, the family traditions ! are again revived. What a difference it would make, would it not, if we could establish this happy condition of things in our occupations.” This might seem a mere visionary ideal but the man with no ideals was lacking something in his constitution, and that it was not altogether unattainable was proved by the fact that such conditions did obtain in various places. In any case, it was well for us to have some high ideal before us and one of the highest was to do w’hat we could to secure it. In such a condition there would be no serious disputes and no need for third party intermediates; with everyone playing the game the work would proceed in harmony and goodwill, everyone giving of his best for the welfare of the community. In his opinion, therefore, the crying need in these times was for a greater spirit of co-operation, and trustfulness which were the foundations of loyalty. He believed that such a spirit would be to the advantage, both materially and otherwise, of both employer and employees, whereas the opportunity was often lost on account of mistrust on the part of one or the other. Responsibilities of Government. “You may think, gentlemen, that my remarks to you are beyond the ordinary scope of our activities and policy, but I am endeavouring to place before you these thoughts sincerely believing that if loyalty Is carried out in the spirit that I have tried to convey to you, the feeling of mutual distrust would vanish thus resulting in having a better people which means better business and a better country because, after all, we are all related if not in blood, by the ties of Empire,” said Mr Greenfield. It had not been the policy of the local Chamber to interfere o” criticise the Government in any way, but he thought that the first step to secure a Defter condition of things should come from the Government itself. We had all seen how, with the coming of the depression, the Government took the opportunity of reducing staffs, thus adding to the unemployment list at a time when there was greater need for keeping men in employment than ever. Young persons who had spent their time in study and their money in securing the necessary education for, say the teaching profession, found themselves jettisoned just as if the Ship of State were actually sinking. In other branches, Railways for example, similar action was taken and men who were 'in the

prime of life retired on superannuation. On the contrary many business firms had not retrenched, even though this had meant very considerable sacrifice actuated, he suggested, by a desire to do right by their fellowmen. This must be the means of cultivating loyalty between unselfish employers and their employees, as a consequence this practical loyalty must reap its reward. Restoration of Cut. “I suggest that as a move towards j greater confidence and consequently j greater loyalty, the Government should . give a lead by restoring the cut or por- ! tion of it; this would in any case j indicate that they had a real faith in the bright future of the country and be evidence of their earnestness. It would result in instilling in the public mind a feeling of optimism and a faith in its administrators which would help at this very necessary time to breed the feeling of loyalty which I think so desirable.” Mr Greenfield mentioned that his year of office had been a happy one. and he hoped a profitable one as it had been to him. From members of the Chamber he had had their loyal support and co-operation, and he expressed to them his appreciation of the | confidence they have shown in him j and for the goodwill they had always j maintained. He wished his successor, i Mr G. D. Virtue, as happy a period of office as he had had. Thanks were l extended also to the secretary (Mr J. Leggott), for his many kindnesses and help during the year. On the motion of Mr G. D. Virtue. Mr Greenfield was accorded a vote of thanks for his address.