RANDOM SHOTS

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 242, 12 October 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

RANDOM SHOTS

The Supreme Court has declared that a service car is not a has. This is another thing .that really clever people; have long suspected.

"Growls at Devouport." Curiously enough, the discussion which was .reported under this title followed the quashing of the borough's dog by-law.

In. the controversy over "bachelor fiats" the bachelors are strangely silent. Are they content to let the flats speak for themselves?

"That benevolent despot" is how a New Zealand traveller has described Mussolini. I wonder if "II Duce" would like to hear himself described as "benevolent."

Clubs designed to encourage farmers' sora to stay on the land, have been formed in. some provinces. The object is worthy, but is it not unfortunate that the clubs are called "calf" clubs I

"Hearty approval of a echeme for instructing school children in traffic dangers was expressed by the Auckland Education Board yesterday." The first rule in any sueh course should be, "Don't do as your parents do."

"Barring something quite unforeseen, say, a drought, Auckland should be free from the fear of another water famine." This sounds reassuring, but is it not because of a drought that a water famine occurs?

"Ruseian women were among the prisoners captured by Chinese during the Manchurian engagements. They were wearing the full Soviet military uniform." This, 1 suppose, is oile of the privileges won by the Kussian women when they secured "economic freedom."

It will have been noticed that land settlement, which is usually referred to as a "problem" or a "burning question," has lately been called a "dragon." And Mr. Forb"eis is, expected to slay it. Welt, he certainly has" the ' right Christian name.

"Mr. MacDoiiald was escorted to greet President Hoover in the Blue Room. The leaders exchanged salutations, and then proceeded to the Green Room. They joined Mm Ishbel MaeDonald and Lady Howard, and the group proceeded to the Red Room." The colour of the third room was not tactful; it should have been p'mk, and pale pink for preference.

Speaking at a New Zealand dinner in Melbourne, one of Australia's moat prominent men, Mr. W. A. Watt, is reported to have said: "'lt was amazing that although Australia and New Zealand were the same in' origin and destiny, neither seemed to realise that fact." This shows what a good dinner will do even to the ablest of men.

There is one stable.. factor in the transport situation, and that 'is the iiegiectfultiess of the tram passengers. Of 53,000,000 tram rides last year;' 21,000,000 were paid for at concession rates, and 32,000,000 in cash. One ca«| imagine the dismay of the tramfray manager if the .majority of the passengers became economical. New methods Would have to be devised to hide the places where concession cards were sold.

The animated discussion about the proposed bachelor flats and the suggestion that tenants might take lodgers (in a room 20ft x 14ft) is reminiscent of the explanation given when the police were called to a disturbance in one room of an apartment house. "Wo were quite happy here," said one tenant, "with a family in each corner and one in the middle, until the middle family took lodgers." Overcrowding is a comparative term, and so in tact is bachelor.

Whisky has had a long run. and brandy, too , , but a time is coming when a thimble will hold all the stimulant you need for a month. An Indian gentleman has discovered a mountain herb which he has tried on a sick frog and eeveral weak-hearted men, and he states that a few drops have a more stimulant effect than the most powerful tonit 1 drug known. The gentleman's name is Bose. Another "o" would make the name appropriate.

The Transport Board, on which City Council members are dominant, referred to the City Council, and other local bodies, the question of adapting a flatrate fare. The City Council rejected the proposal. The other local bodies may all favour it, but when the" Transport Board meets again the City Council members will have their way. To the unsophisticated it may appear that the Transport Board might as well have disposed of the question earlier tin later. No! That would be undcmoci'atic.

The people of New Zealand are paying over £3000 a year for the privilege of having the poliee take charge of their firearms. Yet it eeents tbet when a man wants a gun for a homicidal purpose 4 he can usually find one. According to an official return, the Police Department received £309 by the sale of confiscated firearms. Where did they go? Did Sydney or Chicago buy them, or did the Police Department sell them to New Zealanders, and then exact fees for their registration ?

New Zealand's hoepital system, says the Minister of Health, is the finest hi the world. New Zealand's edUcnticm system, scenery, footballers, children and other people, tilings'and institutions! (always excepting Parliament), also are frequently described, by New Zenlaiidcrs, a<3 the finest in the world. New Zcnlanders don't say directly that they are the finest people in the world, but, of course, all children grow up. The question occurs: Ought we to reproach the Americans for self-praise ?

The Dominion president of the Farmers' Union has "vindicated himself," in the opinion of one branch, by voting .gainst the Land Taxation Bill. All the criticism arose when he votcrt for the extra primage duty, Mr. Poison wilt no\r bare realised that the important thinjr for a politieiah is not that he should rote according: to , hie own jutljiment on each question as it arises. Se must vote as his constituents wish. Veiy often he ean'fc know beforehand what their wishes are, and. he may have hie doubts whether they .have'any definite or consistent wish, but such reflections .will not avail him if he votes wron<y. This i<3 what outsiders mean when they i'lcak of the "fascination of politics."