CONDITIONS IN N.Z.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18879, 24 February 1933, Page 6

CONDITIONS IN N.Z.

LOSS OF PROPORTION. NEWSPAPERS’ RESPONSIBILITY. DIFFERENT SPIRIT NECESSARY, (By Telegraph.—Press Association,)' ROTORUA, Thursday. “ The conditions which prevail ia New Zealand to-day have thrust on the dally newspapers a heavy responsibility," said Mr. C. W. Earle in his presidential address at the annual conference of the New Zealand Newspaper Proprietors’ Association to-day. “ We And our country weighed down under a bu"den of depression, economic and mental, which is tending to warp our judgment," he continued. “ The general spirit of pessimism is unworthy of the traditions of our race. “ To a large extent we in New Zealand have for the time being lost our sense of proportion. Our real troubles are bad enough, but there is a very general tendency to magnify them, to keep them too prominently in the forefront of our daily-lives and -make them an excuse for gloom and despondency, instead of seeing in them a challenge to our fortitude and courage to master and surmount them. “It is not surprising, and not unnatural, that in such an unwholesome atmosphere discontent and faultfinding should be widespread and aggressively active, but what is perhaps in the existing circumstances still * worse for the welfare of the community is that its people are being divided into conflicting factions. At a time when it is most necessary In the common interest that the difficulties which confront us 'Should be faced with the united strength of the nation unweakened by internal dissension, we find city and country interests at activ* warfare one with the other. In Opposing Camps. “ We find Importers and manufacturers In opposing camps, each fighting for what they conceive to be their immediate Interests, and in the struggle may be imperilling the Interests of all. We find also the- heavy task of the Government hampered and obstructed by party strife in which the Labour Opposition seeks to aggravate . the difficulties of those in office by tactics which suggest a desire to foment popular disconent rather than to serve the public weal.

“It seems evident that if we expect to make the progress all would desire in overcoming the financial and economic difficulties which confront j the country, a different spirit must I prevail—a spirit of confidence, a spirit : of service and, where necessary a spirit of sacrifice for the common good. It is here that the press is under a heavy obligation to render wholehearted service. “ There has, and still is, too great an emphasis given in the press of the Dominion to the more gloomy aspects of the tempestuous flood of fault-find-ing which has swept the country! Our newspapers too frequently have assisted to swell its valume. It is right and proper that public policy should be freely criticised when occasion requires, and the press would be failing in its duty if it neglected to draw attention to such shortcomings and weakness as may be apparent, but constant reiteration of complaints and grievances, repetition over and over again of the same dismal prophecies, the piling up of agony, as It were, by gloomy recapitulation of our hardships and worries is not only unhelpful, but unhealthy. Arouse Patrlotlo Fervour.

“No greater service could toe rendered New Zealand to-day than to arouse in its people that patriotic fervour which is evoked in time of national crisis, when the danger is clear to all, and Hie way to victory plainly laid down. Then would we have unity of purpose. “ The spirit of service and sacrifice which brings out the best in a nation, multiplies manifold the weight of its power and influence and carries it steadfastly to success —that is what New Zealand needs most of all to-day. Tiie country needs unity of effort, instead of sectional strife, the spirit of service instead of a too narrow rega"d for individual interests, a greater tolerairce, and a more helpful attitude toward those carrying the thankless and responsible tasks of government, and a more cheerful and hopeful spirit. “ There is a great opportunity here for the daily newspaper press of New Zealand,” concluded Mr. Earle. •“ It is within its power and, in my opinion, it is its plain duty to seek to create a more healthy and more helpful atmosphere, to stimulate public confidence and to inspi"e in the Individual a higher conception of his personal obligation to play a worthy part s.o far as lies within his power in the great light to win our way out of our present difficulties.”