OUR GREATEST NATIONAL ASSET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1930, Page 23

OUR GREATEST NATIONAL ASSET.

r ln these dire days I have been searching for the encouragement of some industry that would assist in the production of national wealth. I am egotistical enough to assume that I have come upon a treasure-trove. The chief industry of most people is horseracing, i.e., horse-betting. Kindly-faced old ladies (with the snow of age on 'their temples) •' ask me sweetly if "I know anything"; smiling flappers ("My Lady of the Giggles," although' she mav live in an apparent atmosphere of smiling inanity), have a profound knowledge of the psychology of the horses; bareheaded youths with Simian waves of their arms tell me between cigarette puffs that "Whitefoot must do it."' In short, all sections of the 4 people, the upper strata as well as the '"'people of the abyss," swing their censers % "horsewards" at all times. These things being so, why not establish' Chairs: of Horse-racing in our- four universities? Travelling lecturers could also permeate the Dominion, and a rich revenue:.could bo earned, lectures to be charged for. The professor, of course, would'have to be paid a salary commensurate with his knowledge. All other forms of entertainment . would suffer, but in twelve months a vast sum could be handed over to what is now permanent and fixed—unemployment relief. I would suggest that the lecturers take the following syllabus as a basis:—(l) Stiffs and how to know 'em;. (2) "dead- birds"-in the birdcage; (;3) going in '..the; soft j'i (4)"' going; in the "hard; (5) backing : 'em ahead; (6) do spats affect the mentality of starters? (7) weight and dividends; (8) backing, 'em ;at sight; (9). "hedging for, profit. I' am confident that despite all that has been done for" this great industiy, by ; lifting it up to the dignity ;•of & university course our people will emerge a nation of still greater sports, and our natural, mental capacity for "picking.''em" will kindle the ire of other countries less 'progressive and far-seping-tiian we* are. M HERBERT MULVTEHLL.