Dunedin Doings

Cromwell Argus, 15 July 1929, Page 6

Dunedin Doings

(From Our.: Own Correspondent.) . THE EARTHQUAKE. The earthquake disaster which struck the West Coast s and travelled northwards to Nelson at the middle of last month will not soon be forgot* -4&n' It is a matter of great- good fortune that it occurred ui the day'time. and not at night, for had tiie 'tiemendouß heaving of the earth s surface which took place happened during the hours of darkness the death-roll- of 14 would probably have been doubled or trebled. But every calamity has its brighter side and in this case it is to be found in the generous and SHontaneous response: of relief funds. The disaster was not many days old when the largo metropolitan" newspapers in the centres opened subscription lists. Their example was soon followed by smallerpapers- and by the Mayors ot many of tn'e boroughs, and within a very short time money was fairly pouring in from all parts of the country to make the lot of the earthquake sufferers easier and remove some of the burdens from their oppressed shoulders.* It was. a shining example of open-handed generosity and genuine charity, and it does the people of the Dominion infinite credit. Humour is scarcely to be associated with so grave a tragedy as this earthquake involved ; but 'at the same time there was something rather amusing in the attitude which Blenheim took up in matter of relief. Blenheim broad "• oas'ted ■* the information far and wide that it had not suffered by the earthquake and that none of it- people would be candidates for a share of '■the relief money that was being raised. No; they would give to the relief funds; but they would not take. Blenheim had not been damaged by the earthquake and it wanted that part known. In fact, it seemed to be • rather annoyed that such a great national catastrophe, had * passed Blenheim by. Hurrah for Blenheim! May it always be as fortunate. LATE MR A. H. GRINLING. Journalism in Dunedin, suffered a severe loss on Wednesday of last week when Mr A. H. vGrinhng, wiio. for nearly 30 years, had been a familiar figure in the ciey passed to his longrest. It was in 1 qoi that Mr Grinling joined! the literary staff of the IKago Daily Times and a-year later he took up the editorship oi the Odt- ,■ look, the official organ of the Presj byterian Church of New Zealand, . and he retained both positions until • failing health recently compelled him ,> r .-to> relinquish them. -At the height ot ■H his mental powers Mr Grinling poses- „| sed a graceful and facile literary touch •; 'and he had the ability to clothe the bqnes..of. even .an. uninteresting subject with well-turned, idiomatic, and often humourous phrases. But the extent and diversity of his reading was perhaps; his outstandingcharacteristic and it gave him a wellstored mind upon the resources ot which he drew freely in conversation as well as in writing. Pleasant and unassuming' in-his manner he was liked and respected by all who knew him—especially by those who knew , him best —and his passing has left a blank in the lives of his iriends, both private and journalistic. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. Parliament is once more in session with Sir Joseph Ward at the helm and it will be interesting to watch the skilled hand of the old political sailor steering the ship of State through t*he rocks and shallows that lie before it. The position of the United Party is not a strong one. It is a minority of the House; indeed, it is not even the strongest party in the House, and yet, according to the Speech from the Throne it has set quite an ambitious programme before itself. Sir Joseph has a difficult time ahead, but he did not enter the politicial areria yesterday and what 'he doaen't know about the old game of politics is not worth knowing. Already he has had to rebuke one of his Ministers (Mr A. J. Stallworthy, of the "Divine Mission") for letting the cat out of the bag by saying, in effect, that the Government did not propose to risk introducing any new legislation ; and in administering the rebuke he managed to l convey the impression that the Government intend to do a whole lot of things. It will be interesting to see who was nearer the mark when the session comes to

an end. There are some ticklish issues to come forward including - the completion of the South fsland\ railway, Highways legislation, and proposals to alter the incidence of taxation—presumably to liquidate- the Budget deficit. But unless any' very drastic proposals are introduced such as are likely to throw the' Reform and Labour parties into a united camp of hostility the session will probably proceed smoothly enough, and at it.-, close tho Government, as other Governments have done. will proudly point to the list of bills enacted and. pufring out its chest, say ; "Look what we have done." ("ntil the I'nited party really docs something, however, judgment will have to be suspended.