A PROBLEM OF LAZINESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 215, 9 September 1921, Page 4

A PROBLEM OF LAZINESS.

The man who can work and can get work, but who will not work, is a problem in every community at all times. "Poor Bill," says the nightwatchman in one of Mr. W. \V. Jacobs' stories, " 'c 'ad 'ard luck. 'Is wife died an' 'o 'ad to go out an' work again." Men of the sumo persuasion arc troubling the philanthropists of Christchurch, and we have no doubt that dispensers of charity in Auckland could cite similar cases. The problem becomes more serious now that times are less prosperous and there is a greater amount of genuine distress to be relieved. It has been suggested to the Canterbury members of Parlfeinent by Christchurch social workers, exasperated by the indurated laziness of ablebodied men who refuse to work to support their families, that men who will not work should be compelled to work. The idea is sound. This is a free country, or is supposed to be, but the obligation to support one's family is not only a primary social duty, but is recognised by the law, and eince the law compels a man to contribute to the support of his family, it is entitled to go further and see that he works to earn this contribution. Other countries, we believe, have successfully tried the plan of making these loafers work. The difficulty is to devise a method of enforcing this plan that will not eat up more in the cost of running than it will furnish in production. In the meantime, however, there are always His Majesty's prisons. There the principle h?s already been adopted of paying wages to ordinary prisonem for work done, and giving their unfortunate families the benefit of euch earnings. These "work-shy" fathers of families who allow the State or private charity to take over their responsibility, would be none the worse for a term in gaol, where they would be treated on the effective principle that if a man does not work he shall not eat.

Before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., this morning, Albert Wilfred Harris was charged on two separate counts of having on July 26 exposed liquor for sale, also with having Bold liquor after hours. Arthur Edward Dalton, Walter Cornock, William Morton, and Arthur Edward Walker were also charged with having been found on licensed premises. On the application of counsel an adjournment was granted until the 23rd inst.

The first "honeymoon engagement" contracted for by the Timaru Aero Company wae carried out on Wednesday, when Mr. Squire, jun., and Mies Abbott, of Fairview, were married, and after the wedding breakfast flew to Christchurch. The newly-wedded couple's home is a. •few miles south of Timaru, and to it an Avro machine went and conveyed them to the -aerodrome at Waatodyke, where they changed into a new and hand-somely-appointed four-seater limousine flier. In this the journey to Christchurch was completed in a little over an hour. The limousine is very comfortable, and while it is possible to see everything through the little window of the enclosed compartment the passengers are immune from any possible inconvenience through wind or rain. The hood is high enough to allow passengers to sit inside without removing their headgear, and the bride did not find it necessary to remove 'her hat, while her "going away costume" was in even better shape at the end of the journey I than if ©he had travelled by train.

An Auckland firm offered the Greymouth Borough Council 2200 tons of Maitland coal, bast screened, at £2 12/0 a ton, c.i.f., New Zealand ports. The Mayor (Mr. D. Lynch) said he wished to direct public attention to the fact that coal producing centres in other parts were endeavouring to dump coal into Greymouth. He had heard of "carrying coal to Newcastle," but carrying coal to Greymouth was quite as bad. A meeting of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce decided to ask the Government not to extend existing foreign coal contracts, hoping that the balance could be cancelled, as many smaller mines on the Coast -were being forced to close down.

A meeting of delegates from the Northern Racing Pigeon Club, Auckland Flying Club, and West Auckland Flying Club was held recently when the advisability of holding combined races was discussed. The matter was thoroughly dealt with, and it was decided that the above clubs would fly combined races from Ohakune, Palmerston, Wellington, and Christchurch, and that they would also support the New Zealand Grand National Race to be flown in December. The office-bearers elected were:—Convener and secretary, Mr. A. A. Watson; committee, Messrs. V. A. Ryder, F. Coster, A. A. Watson, R. E. Hunter, L. Garmson, R. S. Hutton, V. Barton, W. Slater, and F. May.

Tie Avondale Progreesive League has been advised by the 'Minister of Health, the Hon. C. J. Parr, that the Board ot Health has called upon the Avondale Road Board to metal a main sewer through its district. This would enable the Road Boaxd, explained the Minister, to raise the necessary money •without taking a poll of the ratepayers. The Road Board had been informed of the decision of the Board of Health, but the legal requisition hud not been issued, a£ t>he Department was waiting necessary details rrom Auckland The unavoidable delay, however, advised the Minister, need not prevent the Road Board Koing ahead with its preliminary arrangements. Tile foregoing is in reply to representations made by the Avondale Progressive League.

Much interest was evinced in the Education Department's dental ambulance, which is at present attending to the health of the pupils of the Manurewa school, a new infant branch of which was opened yesterday afternoon. The extent of the duties of the ambulance is indicated by the fact that it has just returned, after a somewhat arduous journey, from Port Albert, and is now "on tour" in the Lower Waikato. Mr. Purr touched upon the excellent ■work that was being done in this branch of the Department's health campaign during his address, and stated that the first plan of his education platform was the health of the children. Physical health and well being was a fundamental care in educating young citizens.

Mr. W. F. Edmond. addressing the shareholders of the Standard Insurance Company in Durtedin, said that the insurance losses last year in Australia and New Zealand as the result of pilfering of overseas cargo have been computed at something in tho vicinity of £380,000. With a view to minimising this evil, the underwriters have come to an agreement wheroby a merchant can recover only 75 per cent of such loss. It ie hoped that this will induce consignees to take steps to discover where the thefts occur. From this announcement it will be seen that the. underwriters have made consignees party to the responsibility. Hitherto consignees have merely deplored the pilfering and presented their claims, saying: "Our stuff is broken into and stolen! We don't know how, and it ■isn't our business to find out.." For the sake of tho 25 *por cent they are likely now to interest themselves and do something in the way of setting a -watch.

The presentation to the Canterbury College Athletic Club of a cup in memory of those who fell in the war was decided upon some time ago by returned soldier studente of the collage. The cup is to be known as "The Fallen Comrades Memorial Cup," and among the conditions governing its award is the following: "Any person who in time of peace or war refuses or has refused to render personal service in the defence forces shall be ineligible to compete for the cup. Any person who ie or has been exempted from such service on the grounds of conscientious objection shall be also ineligible to compete for the cup." The meeting confirmed these conditions, and discussed matters of loyalty in general. It was indicated that if any dissemination of seditious literature such as had occurred in Wellington were discovered at Canterbury College a firm stand -would be taken. A strong feeling was expressed that thoee who had refused to serve in tho ■war should not hold trophies awarded in connection with the war.

Tlie proposal to run the railway through the Orakei basin, which he described ac one of the beauty spots of Auckland when the tide was full, wae mentioned at the City Council last evening by Mr. E. H. Davis, when he asked whether the Parks Committee could not urge the Railway Department to divert the proposed line. It' had already .been determined, he said, to make Orakei a garden suburb, and the matter wae therefore of great interest to the city. If lock-gates were established, and the basin kept at high tide, it would be a permanently beautiful spot. Tho Deputy-Mayor (Mr. H. D. Heather) said Orakei was not in the city area, and therefore the matter could not be taken up by the Council.

Acting upon the impression that his license entitled him to cell fire-anne Arthur Jones, auctioneer, of this city, sold some on July 29. He was charged with the breach before Mr. J- W. Poynton, S.M., thie morning, and hie counsel entering a plea of guilty, Jones was fined 20/, and ordered to pay costs 9/.

Two lade came to grief while riding a bicycle yesterday down the incline to the Northcote wharf. Earle Cavaye escaped with cuts on the arm, but James F. Hutchinson was for some time unconscious, and received cute and bruises on the face and body, though he was not seriously injured. Mr. Horace Stebbing promptly rendered first aid, assisted 'by Mr. J. E. Bellis, until the services of Dr. Barraclough were available.

A serious danger said t/< exist by the tram stop at Shortland Street not being made oompuleory, and the need for greater eupervision of traffic at that point were mentioned in a letter from Mr. H. C. Tewsley, received at the City Council meeting laet even-ing. It was reported by the general manager of the tramways department that a compulsory stop at the corner in question would delay traffic at rush hours. The matter was referred to the Electricity and Tramway Committee.

Permission ie being sought by the Auckland Bee Olub and t/be local branch of the National Beekeepers' Association to establish a small apiary near the caretaker's house at the Domain for free educational purposes. The matter came before the City Council last evening, and was referred to the Parks Committee.

The latest report from Christchurch regarding the Gantmar School boy Gemmell, who tv&s injured during the game against the Christcburob Boys' High School for the Moascar Cup last Wednesday, states that he 13 much better, and would probably be able to leave the hospital in a d»y or two.

At a meeting of the local committee of the N.Z. Society of Accountants, held yesterday, a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr. J. F. Buddie was passed. Reference was made to the loss the community had suffered by Mr. Buddies death.

It costs three-eighths of a penny to one. penny per dozen to preserve eggs in Sbarland's Moa brand egg preservative. Sold in small tins to preserve 14 dozen egge, i-gal tins 90 dozen, 1-gal tins 180 dozen, and 4-gal tins 720 dozen. It is wonderfully cheap and reliable.—(Ad.)

Smart shoes for summer. We have some new shapes for men moderately priced.—'Farm of FowHe.—(Ad.)

Tackle that fresh cold in the head by inhaling freely "Nazol." Also take a few drops on loaf sugar and allow the sugar to dissolve very slowly by placing it between the cheek and gums.—(Ad.)

Boy Scouts, be prepared! Thia is also our motto. Buy your uniform from a firm that specialiees.—Geo. PowMe, Ltd.—(Ad.)

A straight tip! If you feel a thickening of the throat, with hoarseness coming on, take a few drops of "Nazol" on loaf sugar every hour. Allow the sugar to dissolve very slowly in the mouth by placing it between the cheek and gume. This is a tip worth knowing.—(Ad.)

Don't wear a shabby hat when you can now buy a smart shape at a reasonable price from the Firm of Fowlds.—Ad.