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Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 290, 2 September 1933, Page 6

Somewhat prematurely certain people, who approve the policy of higher wages and shorter hours, have awarded the palm of victory to President Roosevelt in his recovery campaign. Two messages pub- ' lished to-day claim, it is true, that two million workers have been reabsorbed in industry—but another eleven million still fret in idleness. If unemployment were as severe in New Zealand, there would be from 130,000 to 140,000 looking for jobs. It is plain, therefore, that the United States will have to travel a long way yet before the great experiment can be acclaimed as a success. Cautious American observers consider that so far the advance made has been of a speculative kind, buying in anticipation of recovery or in fear of inflation. Unless this hectic and insubstantial movement is quickly backed J>y legitimate demand, it contains within itself the seeds of collapse. * ❖ ' * Jic

How English should be spoken was the subject of a spirited controversy in London a few weeks ago. Perhaps, following upon remarks by a judge at the Competitions, Wellington may follow suit. In London the perennial topic was raised when Scotland declared its dislike for English talkies because of their “Oxford accent.” Canada also raised an echo by its objection to what was stigmatised as “haw-haw English.” In this case the argument started in a Montreal University class on hearing “some linguaphone records made in London by speakers whose voices are frequently heard on the wireless.” This last comes close to our hearths and homes where on any night the careful enunciation of voices on the air is made a butt or subject of mimicry. As the capital city of the English, London bent itself earnestly to discover what was the standard of speech. Although it found no satisfactory answer, if, declined to place the blame for “haw-haw” upon Oxford. One writer rejected all standards and required simply that English should be well and audibly spoken. That answer seems to beg the question. The fact is that there is too often a slovenliness in speech that would not be tolerated in dress or manners, but it is not likely to be cured until correct speech is held to be no more an affectation than, and just as proper as, good grooming of courted,