25 YEARS AGO

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 41, 12 November 1936, Page 10

25 YEARS AGO

Democracy a “Fetish”

(From "The Dominion,” Nov. 13, 1911.)

nr W R. Inge, Dean of St. Paul’s, London, in an address to the Womens Diocesan Association, declared that democracy was the silliest of tetishes. lh-„ transfer of industrial wealth to Eastern Asia would prove the certain sequel to the European labour movement. A fate would probably befall Australia, which was within easy reach of a at more efficient industrial people. He was unable to join the chorus advocating the church's co-operation with the labom movement. Socialism might suit a country like New Zealand until the British fleet ceased to safeguard it, then the ye - low men would make short work or the pampered trade unionists. * * *

The Minister for Railways (the Hon. J. A. Millar) inspected the new Government steamer Earnslaw, intended for tne Lake Wakatipn service, and now in process of building. Mr. Millar expressed himself perfectly confident that the steamer’s graceful lines would ensure her coming up to the contract speed, 15 knots. The Earnslaw will carry 1500 passengers. [The steamer was built by J. McGregor and Co., Dunedin, and assembled at the lake.]

People who attended Hie animated picture entertainment, at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday evening had a somewhat alarming experience. Just before 9 o’clock the film which was being shown jammed in the “gate” of the kiueiniitograph machine. The fierce heat of the lamp inside immediately set the celluloid film ablaze. Some flames escaped from the cabinet in which the machine is housed, and a majority of the audience, naturally somewhat scared, left hurriedly. The exit doors gave free egress, and there was no very serious confusion. The blaze was quickly suppressed and the services of the fire brigade were not required. [This was the theatre that former!}’ stood on the site of St. Janies Theatre.]