BY THE WAY.

Evening Star, Issue 19044, 12 September 1925, Page 2

BY THE WAY.

[By Q.V.]

“ Tljb linn* ha*; comr/’ thft Walrus said, “ To la'k of many things.” The W.E.A., with a quite legitimate pride, points to J)r Gye as a product of its classes. Dr Gye is the _ English scientist whoso recent discoveries have given a new and promising direction to cancer research. If the results expected by the use of Dr Gyo's methods are attained, his name is sure of such immortality as tlio annals - of science can colder, and ho will be called blessed in many a homo. Outside what are vaguely classified as heart troubles, cancer claims more deaths in New Zealand than any other disease, and probably this applies to all other civilised lands. Dr Gye was, we believe, originally a draper’s assistant, and he became interested in scientific matters almost accidentally. Let us, however, beware of the flattering inference that all we require to do to become famous is to take a course of W.E.A. lectures. To ho a great scientist, or a, groat statesman, or even a great bookmaker, is not given to the first comer. The W.E.A. will do its part, but the aspirant must also contribute a brain, and the urge to use it, equal to those of Dr Gye. Imagine not that this is said by way of discouragement. Rather the reverse. Ho who begins without exaggerated hopes will bo the more likely lo withstand the shook of finding that study is no recreation for an idle hour, but means bard work and plenty of it. For this very reason the W.E.A. classes arc valuable. The mind responds to exercise as much, or even more than, the body. One cun hardly imagine a conscienl ions student taking a W.E.A. course without benefit, _unless, indeed, he is the kind of animal before widen it is injudicious to cast pearls. * « » * Defendant admitted that ho had broken a. violin belonging to his wife. He had done so, and scattered things around, in order to reach her con-science.—-Report of Police Court proceedings. If a course of prayer and fasting makes no impression lasting, > And there is a dim suspicion there may be a tertiuiri quid; If all your supplications to renew the old relations Are rejected, and the lady will not do as she is bid, There is still a course of action may bring you satisfaction; There yet is balm in Gilead —it’s a penny to a pound Ton can break down her defences, and bring her to her senses, By smashing up her violin and scattering things around. When you see your hard won dollars being spent on cull's and collars, And the latest thing in_ stockings, and various other thrills, AYhen .she must be in tho fashion, and evinces no compassion For the pocket of the hubby who is loft to foot the bills; When she blocks investigation, and scoffs at protestation, Let her have an ultimatum of a stirring martial sound; Lot her know that trouble’s brewing. Awake 1' Be up and doing! Smash the fiddle into matchwood, and heave the crockery round! « * * » When sitting down to a game at cards in some of the mining townships of yesterday it- used to be etiquette to inquire: “is this a friendly game, or are’wo playing all w_e know?” The custom might ho revived in connection with some Association football teams, if Press reports are correct, as they almost invariably are. Wo do not know what the emolument s, if any at all, of a referee may be, but whatever they aro they arc well earned. _ This unfortunate person must combine in his own person an intimate knowledge of the game, an aptitude for. swift and unerring judgment, tact, (innness, tho agility of the cat, and tho speed of the greyhound, so that his days may be long in the laud. Wo have a suspicion, however, that most referees have a faulty sense of hearing. Nearly every Saturday one oi them reports having heard language which would ho out of place at a meeting of the Y.M.0.A., and as regularly the supposed offender sAvears solemnly that ho was only asking an opponent whether ho might have the pleasure of talcing him to the pictures unit evening. The governing body seems quite bewildered by tins conflict of opinion, and argues tho point out without any very definite result, save a. gradual rise in the temperature of the discussion. This week that august body considered a complaint laid by the relcrco against a Soacliff player, and before it got very far it appeared as if it was ihe reforce who was on trial. There scorns something associated with Seacliff _if one could, only think of what it is.

Mr Bromley, addressing tlio engine drivers at tlio Scarborough Trades Union Congress, remarked pleasantly that if any attempt was made to cut wages “ we will not light like gentlemen, but with the gloves oif.” Mr jJromlev need not have mentioned tlio fact, unless with the motive of suggesting that previous strikes hud been conducted on “gentlemanly” linos, ’’evolutions are not made with rose water, and a strike is only a revolution in miniature, justifiable or uniusliablo. It is war, in which most things are considered lair. There have been chivalrous things done during strikes. There is a, ease on record :n which an employer distributed food and clothing among the strikers’ tamilies during the disturbance, and more than one in which strikers sedulously preserved the property of their- masters, but they are very rare. In England, unfortunately, tlio average working man lives from hand to mouth, and cold and hunger seldom beget “ gentlemanly ” warlarc. Besides being superfluous, Mr Bromley’s remarks are unlikely to improve tlie relations between the railway companies and their employees in times ot peace. Jt is a question whether Labor Millers most from its leaders or from its employers. Our old ideal, “Eight hours to work, eight hours to play, eight hours to sleep, and eight shillings a day,” would bo ridiculed now, hut it seems doubtful whether wc arc any happier than we were or any bettor olf. Britain, however, manages to spend over seven pounds per annum per inhabitant on liquor, which may bo a good omen, or it may not. It seems to suggest an opening for thrift, though that virtue, if such it bo, is not very fashionable at present.

Ho loss an authority than John Raskin said that early in life he had formed a very low opinion of commercial intelligence, and that he bad never laid reason to change it. it is a debatable point. During the war there was much talk and some experience of Government on business lines. The results w T ere not very satisfactory. Tho public cash was muddled away on business lines with tho same celerity and certainty as rvhen it was dispensed on political lines. Tho business man is usually astute enough in connection with his regular routine of buying, selling, manufacturing of whatever activity lie is engaged in, but lie is no bettor than the rest of us when oif his own set of rails. Yet it comes as rather a shock to notices that an enterprising young man managed to cash_ half a dozen valueless cheques in this canny city recently, apparently without even buying anything from his victims. One can imagine a shopkeeper taking some

risk in ■ order to effect a sale, but to hand over good money to a total stranger for the love 1 of his beautiful eyes fgjems incredible. The cheque expert described himself as having been employed as a company promoter, which may be an explanation., Hoav mistaken AA - as the opinion of another visitor who had been requested to drop in and have a chat with the police the other day. W r hen asked whether he wanted hail ho replied that he was not anxious, adding significantly: “It is a atrangf town.” That is the most unkind cut Dunedin has received for many a day. * * # * “T.K.” says He winna gang Back for us tae Rarl’ament. Guid sakes, a’ thing wull gae wrang Withoot him tae represent. Foiver an’ twenty years an’ mair Ho for ns his seat has ta’en; Sooth Dunedin wull be sair Gin he’ll no gang hack again. Wha like him, Avi’ tact an’ skill, Can on Hillside keep an e’e? Wha like him can guide a Bill Throu’ the big clanjamfroe? Wha tho northern votes can pull? Wlia’ll rank’ Daylicht Savin’ plain F Wha can save the Dental School, Gin he’ll no gang back again? Some constituencies, we ken, Aft an’ aft their members change. Flat folk want na ither men— Withoot him a’ wud bo strange. Ane tae fill his place tae find Sooth Dunedin wud be fain. Surely, if he’ll change his mind, Surely he’ll gang back again.