HARD WORK WINS

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20125, 22 February 1937, Page 3

HARD WORK WINS

REAL ROAD TO SUCCESS. LORD NUFFIELD’S PHILOSOPHY. “Hard work is the only real road to success for any youngster.” In these words, Lord Nuffield, in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, summarised hts advice to youth. His is a philosophy based on experience. He speaks of it in simple, forceful words. At the age of 16 he began work in a humble cycle shop. To-day, at the age of 60, he has more than 30,000 employees, and Is the Empire’s greatest philanthropist,.

Without affectation, he says that h has now made all he wants to mag' But he is eager to advise youth aboi the road to success. It, was for tin reason that, interviewed in his suil

on hoard the Orion yesterday, he spoke frankly of his early life and of the prospect for teh young people of to-day. Not Much Schooling. “When I began work 1 had not had much of an education as far as school goes,” he said. “But my parents were well educated, and what I failed to learn at school I* picked up at home. From the time I began work, I supported my parents. “I slogged hard then, because I thought, and still think, that it is the only way to get on. There are those who say that I set out to make money, but that is wrong. I had an ambition, and that was to build up a business. As the business grew the money came along with it. That is all. “Born an Engineer.” “I was born an engineer. I have never been taught engineering, yet when it comes to putting technical ideas on paper, I suppose I am as good as the next man. I have never had much time for figures, yet, strangely enough, I was able to finance my own business, and we passed through many troublesome times. “When I was a youngster I went to a phrenologist, and he did not miss one point. He said that I was an engineer. I think that there is a lot in phrenology. I believe that vocations may be read in the head. “People often say that the days of opportunities for young people are gone. There is no reason in the wide world why any lad, who sets himself to it, cannot build up a business in the future as big as mine. Boys should learn as early as possible what they want to do. The Receptive Age. “The receptive age is between 12 and 20. After that the receptive powers begin to dwindle. What a boy absorbs between the age of 12 and 20 is likely to stick with him for the rest of his life. Even to-day I can recite by the yard poems I learned at that period. I can also recall the words and music of old songs. But many things after that are forgotten. “I believe that a boy should not delay too long in embarking on his working career, especially in technical professions. If he gets beyond 20 and up to 25 the chances are that he will be lost in the race.” Lord Nuffield was asked if he had ever thought of writing his autobiography. “I have thought about it.” he said, “but I am not fond of writing, and I do not think I would like anyone else to write the story of my life. The story of my life will be written in my record.” Hit With a Cricket Ball. “I- am sorry that I have missed seeing llie Test matches in Australia,” Lord \uflit*ld continued. “I used l>> play cricket once—until an accident caused me to give the game up—or rather the game gave me up. Wc were practising one, day. I was a kid of 17 at the time, and was wicket keeper. believe lie was faster Ilian Larwood. Ho used to bowl at the nets to University players. Anyway, our slumps were placed so that an old block hole was where a short ball might land. Tlie one-armed bowler sent down a ball. t* faughl on the edge of llie block-bole and came at me like lightning—-hitting the top of my nose. I collapsed in a heap, ami when 1 came to, I found that my nose was broken. After that I found that, 1 could not field a ball. When it came towards me I felt that it might, crack me again. That is why I gave up cricket.” Claims For Money. “You know I have taken part in a paper chase from Fremantle to Sydney.” Lord Nuffield went on with a smile. “In other words, 1 have received thousands of letters from people seeking financial help. And 1 have been kept, very busy, because it is necessary to read all those letters, for one does not know when there will be among them a personal one. In addition. I have had letters from inventors. and from all kinds of cranks. I came out here and give gifts to deserving institutions and people expect me to give more. 1 have been slopped in the street, wnen 1 have been recognised. "These people who write to me rewell considered beforehand. Ido no 1 give money in other directions, Because the causes might not be deserving ones. The money, or most of it, goes to institutions where people can collect, health. “If you give gifts to private individuals they lend to lean on you for further support, and when Hie lamppost collapses they go too. Gifts of money tend to wreck men.” |

Lord Nuffield said that there were j many more people employed in Bri- | tain now than ever before. Never- j the less, there was an acute short,-.■-•e ' of skilled labour. That position, however, would adjust itself in time. The future for British motor cars was bright. In (lie case of Morris Industries, Ltd., and associated companies, the figures were up 100 per cent last year on the previous year, and last .January was a record month in spite of the fact that January was usually the dullest trading month of Hie whole year. He would like to see ; the figures better still. “I must point out that I* am not ; speaking from a personal point of view,” lie said. ”1 have not come ; out to Australia to sell cars. I have made all l want. But I do feel that trade 'between different parts of Ihe Empire is essential. This is my third trip to Australia in three years. 1 like Australians and ’their country. If is a pity that visits between the r two countries are nol made more fre- i quenlly. We should cross over more often. | Rumours of War. "There are. at Hie moment, rumours x and talks of war, and when it conies to armaments, 1 can assure you that J, when. Britain is wanted she will he s there. There is. of course, always the chance of war, but Mr Baldwin ~ will do everything in bis power to pre- ( , vent, it. One thing is certain, and that is that Britain will not be led into „ another war easily. There will be no '

repetition of 191 i. Bui it war is inevitable, Britain will be there.” Lord Nuffield will be the guent of Li,e Governor-General (Lord Cowrie) it Admiralty House for two days. He will also be the guest of Hie Prime Minister Mr Lyons at Canberra. lie also plans to spend a few days on a station. ••[ intend to do a fair amount of motoring in this Slate,” he said, "because I am anxious to see something uf the country and llm people. 1 will £0 home by way of New Zealand.”