BY THE WAY.

Evening Star, Issue 19143, 9 January 1926, Page 2

BY THE WAY.

[By Q.V.]

w TTir tiinp has rnrnr,'’ thf* Walrus &nid, “ To falk of many Some of the inhabitants of Auckland linvo boon favored by a peep at a green moon, a phenomenon which oven their own astronomers admit is extremely rare. We are loath to think that the information was given in a spirit of vainglory, as if the Auckland moon was a superior, satellite to that observable in the south. After .all, one of the difficulties of science is what is called “the imperfection of Die instrument.” Wo only see what wo can see and hear what our ears, are capable of dealing with. A good deal may be, and is, done by magnifying the infinitely little till it becomes more or less appreciable, bnt at the last resort wo have to roly on human faculties imperfect at the best and extremely/ susceptible to derangement. The Aucklanders do not claim that the moon is green, but only that it appeared.to be green to them, ,-lt may have been their misfortune instead of their privilege. The hour, however, was quite early, soon after 7 in the evening, to ho precise, and Auckland is understood to bo a sober city as cities go nowadays. A story is going the rounds hero to the effect 'that a visitor was observed contemplating with ‘groat interest one of the street electric lights. He inquired from a passer-by whether that was “ the moonsh.” The good Samaritan appealed to, after deep consideration, replied: “Sorry, old chap. Stranger bore m’solf.” But the legend does not hint that either scientist came from Auckland, and, indeed, the tale is probably a bare-faced invention.

“Yes,” said the ancient mariner, recalling the name of a vessel once well enough known in these waters, “she was a happy ship._ Why, they used to give ns burgoo,going round the ’Morn.” Other times, other maimers The old shellback lived to seo a steamer stuck up because ham and eggs for breakfast was not a regain - item. Since then there has been a mild sort of insurrection on board the Tahiti over tho quality of the ' Christmas dinner. The owners scored on this occasion, as the vessel left, more or less up to time manned by a volunteer crew recruited from among the passengers. How this accords with the Navigation Act is a matter between the company and the law, but apparently the law was satisfied; otherwise it would not have granted a clearance. The up-to-date traveller by sea nowadays casts his eyes over his fellow-passengers. If they seem a hefty lot, not averse to hard work for adequate consideration, all is well. If there appears to bo an unduo preponderance of ladies, elderly people, clergymen, bookmakers, plumbers, and members of the Civil Service, it is boh ter to await more favorable auspices. Apropos, wc bare not heard much oi Tom Walsh, and less of his assistant (Jacob Johannsen) of late. The former is said to contemplate carrying his lend with. Havelock Wilson into the latter’s territory, but he would he well advised to remain where the High Court has ruled that ho has a right to ho, though no doubt some of tho British seamen whom ho lured into striking in Australia would bo glad to have a word with him. Thomas belongs to a typo which has done much for Labor in the past, and lias not been paid profusely. He is an enthusiast. He believes that ho has a mission! Such men, when they happen to have character, either good or bad (it does not matter much which), often make history. More frequently they perish, either at the hands of their opponents or those of their own friends. When Thomas can he induced to forget Ids mission for a minute or two ho is, according to men who know him well, quite likeable. Johannsen, on tho contrary, is not a lovable character. Ho believes ardently in tho theory that because the house we live in is not all it might bo the proper course is to burn it "clown, and then chop up the ruins with an axo to make a complete job of it! How a new shelter is to be built, or what is to be done, if bad weather comes on while it is a-bnilding, does not trouble Jacob. A clean sweep, is his motto. It is not likely to be popular among communities of Scotch descent, but Jacob and many of his most ardent supporters are cither aliens or at best naturalised Britons. It almost looks as though they were pursuing a policy of “ trying it on the dog.”

It is not often that a Prince, oven of the medium grade Continental sort, is accused of forging bank notes, but such a case has just occurred in Hungary. The matt or is not very clear yet, but tho motive seems to have been political, and its aim—tho restoration of a monarchy--a true, or perhaps misguided, patriotism. Patriotism is often greatly stimulated by cash, and, money being hard to obtain in Hungary at present, the plotters thought that they would make some of their own. It could hardly he worse than the legal currency, and it might bo even better. However, there were too many in tho scheme, and it crashed. If ever you arc tempted to take up a criminal career, remember the lessons learned at your mother’s knee and refrain. The trade is overcrowded in any case. Jf unfortunately you find the urge too 1 strong to be resisted, never on any consideration take an accomplice. Ono feels somehow rather sorry for the Prince, in spite of his name, which is spelt Windiscbgracte and pronounced according to individual taste. It is to be hoped that they won’t shoot linn, or hang him, or whatever they usually do to forgers in Hungary; but he should have stuck to his own job, winch presumably ho know something about, lie was au ox-Royal. Chamberlain. He rushed into business, where amateurs have to buy their experience, and tho cost of everything has gone up so dreadfully of late years. In tho meantime, let. us hope that they have given him a. comfortable cell with plenty ol writing materials and a complete edition of Ethel Hell.

* * * * The bus excursions around Dunedin hrivo been immensely popular, Nature having thoughtfully provided a largo number of place's suitable lor such trips within easy distance of the city. AVo would not wonder if a considerable section of the local population had littlo idea of the possibilities of its own countryside till now. The services are run by the City Corporation, but private enterprise is also in the. field. One hits proprietor appeals for thirty passengers, “ fitted with nalInon.s and phish seats.” A. man has a. right to carry out- his business in his own way and on his own terms, hut this seems to ho simply driving away trade. There are ocrtninly an unusually large number of balloons available in Dunedin at. present, and possibly it would ho a gay and inspiring sight to see each passenger decorated with one, but the plush seats are a different matter. « * * * The dominion bring mainly occupied with sport, at present, one has to lookabroad for more serious news. An item which will interest many is an article by our old friend, Von Tirpit/., in the ' Daily Express.’ It is in itself a sign oi the limes. Prior to 1014 anyone who suggest cm! to the Admiral that ho should contrihuto a column nr so to an English newspaper would have learned something about (lie resources of the German tongue, you 'lirpit/. says that the Allies could have had a settlement in ]9l o had they asked for it properly. We are inclined to go further. The dove nt peace might have boon whistled up in 1914, or at any subsequent period of (ho war. The German nobleman is exceedingly _ vague as to the kind of peace thus attainable, but the assumption is that it was not

the sort we wanted. The pres and cnnrt of these days of wrath will be discussed for a hundred years to come, and little by little light will be thrown on corners winch are exceedingly dark at present. All we know with certainty is that there was appalling loss of _ life, and immense suffering on both sides; that the world was greatly impoverished, and that a great many people were decorated for gallant actions in the field, and probably more for gaHaiti actions in the office. * # * * It is interesting to watch the growth of the dictatorship habit in Europe. In the simple pre-war days, when everything political seemed so settled, so stable, dictators were grown exclusively in South America for home consumption. Occasionally a Frenchman would remember the career of Napoleon the Great, and shoot a few speeches into the air to see. what would happen. As soon as he realised that there was nothing doing he applied for a Government job, and was allotted a postmastership in the rural districts. Fashions have changed since then. Italy and Spain are virtually in charge of dictators. Russia has had her Lenin, and still has her Trotsky. Some German states and what remains of_ Austria have had dictators; in fact, if not in name. Germany, as a whole, would probably have one now if a man equal to the job and walling, to take it on could be found. The latest gentleman to appoint himself to'such a position is General Pangalos, of Greece. The general says simply and without any frills that he relies on armed force. In such circumstances this is far and away the best thing to do. The dictator who relies on his beautiful eyes, or his silvery tongue, or the gratitude of his countrymen, is lucky if he manages to get safely over the frontier disguised as the chauffeur of a petrol wagon. The dictator who trusts to liberal subsidies to his supporters and a short, sharp shock for Ins enemies has a sporting chance of holding down his billet for a few years, while his luck and his money last.