OPTIMISTS IN POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, 22 April 1927, Page 5

OPTIMISTS IN POLITICS.

MEN WHO MADE NEW ZEALAND’S NAME. ADDRESS BY MR G. R. SYKES M.P The speaker at the Masterton Optimists’ Club’s second luncheon yesterday was Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P," who gave a very interesting address on “Optimists I have Known.” mainly leaders of parties, with whom the speaker had been associated with in his sixteen years of political life. Mr Sykes prefaced his remarks by stating that optimism and philosophy were closely allied, and -the spirit pf both the optimist and the philosopher had greatly assisted in the development of this young country. “One of the greatest optimists I ever knew,” said Mr Sykes, “was the late Richard Seddon, a big-hearted, big-limbed, big-brained optimistic Imperialist, who had faith in the people and explicit faith in the country which he saw fit to describe as ‘God’s Own Country.’ ” The speaker paid a tribute to the unbounded optimism of this great stateman who, he said, had placed New Zealand in the forefront of progressive legislation. Sir Joseph Ward was another optimist described by the speaker, who said that despite the voice of the critics, the Right Honourable gentleman had improved the outlook of this Dominion and had restored its credit after a period of extreme anxiety. His work was based on the motto, said Mr Sykes, that “nothing can be achieved by worrying over one’s difficulties which should be faced with the spirit of cheerfulness.”

But greater than them all, said Mr Sykes, was the optimism of the late Mr Massey. Reared in a strict Ulster home, and taught in a strict Ulster school, the late Premier borrowed his noblest images from the language and inspiration of the Great Book whose parables and quotations he deftly incorporated in his most brilliant political efforts. It was Mr Massey, he said, who inspired hope and confidence into his people in times of stress. He was a British Israelite, believing that Britain was the chosen race that would rule the world. Ho had a child’s faith in its destiny, and his spirit of optimism had urged him on,, when times looked black, to fight all the harder for its freedom and liberty. From a political viewpoint, said Mr Sykes, Mr Massey was always optimistic of the future, and his cheerful personality had upheld the morale of the people when the country was threatened with financial stagnation. Ho had always looked for the best, and his faith in the people and the recuper-* ative powers of the country had been fully rewarded. Mr Sykes was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address.