UNGENEROUS CRITICISM

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3190, 14 June 1932, Page 5

UNGENEROUS CRITICISM

SUCCESSFUL FIRMS AND INSTITUTIONS. Sir George Elliot's protest against the ungenerous criticism of successful firms and institutions " is timely (comments the Dominion). There is much truth in his assertion that among a section of the public there .is "a growing sentiment against the firms, companies, and individuals who, in any way, are successful." The present financial situation has revealed the fact that there is little encouragement for the thrifty. Successful enterprise in business is persistently baulked by harassing legislative restrictions. Among a certain class it is regarded as almost a crime to be well off. The personal qualities that enable men to attain positions of responsibility with commensurate ' remunerations are valuable assets to the State and its people, but these apparently count foi- nothing with a certain class. Nor is the fact that the community incidentally, though indirectly, benefits in the results of successful enterprise given fair recognition. Employment is increased, and in the operations and ramifications of business money is circulated. Were progress stifled and, as Sir George Edict puts it,, " a sprag put in the wheels of enterprise," national stagnation would result. Success should be applauded, not sneered at, as is too often the case. In fact, the solution of all our present problems lies in restoring industry to a profit-earn-ing basis.