FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 72, 21 September 1940, Page 9

FIFTY YEARS AGO

ITEMS FROM THE

"POST"

AUCKLAND'S ALARM

"If a Russian man-of-war had entered the Waitemata during the night and exploded a bomb shell right in the middle of Queen Street, the consternation in Auckland could scarcely have been greater than it was when on a recent morning ,the citizens read - in their local paper that some naughty Southern members were going to try

to make Wellington the port'of .call for the San Francisco service, and were not unlikely to succeed," remarked "The Post" of this date fifty years ago. "Dismay sat on every face; knots of pale-visaged citizens congregated at every corner to discuss the impending disaster; and'the Telegraph Office was crowded from early morn till dewy eve with influential constituents sending telegrams to their representatives encouraging them to fight to their last breath for the protection of Auckland interests, and the retention of the port of call. With noble disinterestedness Auckland declared with one voice, 'better no San Francisco service at all, than that the boats should' go to Wellington.' The urgent' messages received in the course of the afternoon, announcing that ' Auckland had triumphed over Wellington by a majority of two, caused great rejoicing. The

wildest excitement prevailed, and warm congratulations were exchanged on every side. The feeling of exulta-? tion was increased when it became known that the effect of the second division in the House was that Wellington was not even to share equally with Auckland as the port of call, but a terrible revulsion occurred when still later telegrams announced that the contractors were to be left free to select either Auckland or Wellington as might seem best to them. A crushing, but of course unacknowledged, feeling at once asserted itself and sat heavy in Auckland breasts, that on the merits Auckland was likely to come off second best, .and that, as business men, the contractors would not likely be affected by the political influences which had so long bolstered up Auckland's claim to be the port of call. A great saving in the time of the distribution of mails would be effected if Wellington was selected as the port of call owing to the capital city's central position, and it would also be a much easier port for passengers. With Auckland as the New Zealand port of call, the San Francisco service has signally failed to develop either an import or export trade, but Wellington would be able to obtain freight from all parts of the colony and to offer greater harbour facilities. Altogether, if Wellington people are true to themselves, and show energy and activity in the matter, we think the probabilities are strong that the contractors will select this port in preference to Auckland." A STRIKE RIOT. "The disturbance which recurred in Sydney yesterday is the most serious incident as yet recorded in connection with, the strike which is affecting in such a widespread and devastating manner both Australia and New Zealand. Those'in official authority here should derive a lesson as to the neces-

sity for being prepared for unexpected contingencies, and the necessity also for dealing firmly and promptly with all attempts to disturb the public peace. The danger. of serious disturbance in Sydney is, of course, greater than it is in any New Zealand town. Sydney is the one great centre of the colony to which all the unemployed flock, and in which a considerable professional criminal element exists. In New Zealand the criminal element is happily almost completely absent, and there is, no one large city to serve as a rallying ground for the discontented. The number of possible rioters in any one New Zealand town is comparatively small, and insignificant as against the force which could be arrayed for the preservation of peace and order. It is to be

hoped that no necessity for testing the comparative strength of the two sides will arise in any part of the colony, but we confess we look with considerable apprehension to what may occur in New South Wales before the strike ends. What is occurring there is full of warning and instruction to New Zealand." i THE MAYORALTY. "Within the next two months the rate-] payers of Wellington will be called on to nominate candidates for the Mayoralty during the ensuing year. There is no probability of the present occupant of the office. Mr. C. J. Johnston, seeking re-election, and as yet rumour is silent as to. any aspirants for the office. Next year will, we trust, see the in-

auguration of the drainage scheme, a work of supreme importance, which, however, it would scarcely be wise to submit to the ratepayers in the present disturbed state of things generally.Next year, when it is to be hoped greater stability and confidence will exist, the ratepayers will no doubt find it to their advantage.to.carry out the scheme that has been prepared. The work will be both large and costly, and It is specially desirable that when the Corporation undertakes it there should be a good man of business at the head of civic affairs. The ratepayers should, therefore, bestir themselves in time to obtain the services of someone willing to undertake the duties of the Mayoralty, and capable of discharging them in a satisfactory and capable manner." MR. J. D. ORMOND. "Mr. J. D. Ormond has declined to seek re-election. We sincerely regret it, for men of his calibre cannot be spared from Parliament. Although we have never been a supporter of his, we have always recognised in the member for Napier a man of high honour, imbued with principles which he declined, to sacrifice to expediency, and possessing the full courage of his opinions. His example . was .of great value, but unfortunately few followed it. Time after time he might have been Premier, but personal ambition was not among "his faults. It is not to be wondered at '• that he should have determined to retire into private life, and so escape further endurance of the vitiated atmosphere he has been compelled to dwell in politically of late years. The character of the proceedings in Parliament and of the majority of members must have jarred most unpleasantly upon ■ his nerves. He retires with unsullied honour, and leaves a fine record of public usefulness'behir^d him. His loss will cause general re-

gret among all who wish the colony well, and this feeling will be intensified "by the reasons which have caused his retirement, and which he has not hesitated to state most plainly. The decadence of. Parliament, which he mourns, is unfortunately but: too apparent to all who were familiar with the Parliament in which Mr. Ormond used to 'fill a high place.'\