Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, MARCH 16th., 1934. MR. SHAW’S VISIT.

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 March 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, MARCH 16th., 1934. MR. SHAW’S VISIT.

to an Auckland estimate, the “popular idea” of Mr. G. B. Shaw is that he shuns publicity. Auckland must have that idea on its own, because it is realised everywhere else that there is no more enterprising self-adver-tiser, to-day, than Mr. Shaw, nor perhaps a greater “ At one time Mr. Shaw was taken very seriously, spoken of by the young high-brows as “The Master,”

whose opinions became their commandments. A generation has since arisen which places its hero-wor-ship elsewhere. Mr. Shaw’s literary ability is unquestioned, but his love of words, particularly when he is the speaker, lessens much of the attraction he would otherwise possess. No other man professes to know so much about everything, nor is so willing to advise others as to how they should conduct their affairs. His admirers absorb his encyclopedic instructions unquestioned, but others are more critical, and claim that Shaw’s habit of talking nonsense in a somewhat clever fashion, has become a nuisance.

Mr. Shaw in his early clays did real, public service by his writings, arousing the conventional from undue complacency, and assisting to elevate literary and dramatic standards. Success and acknowledgement did not come easily, but he eventually triumphed. Of late years, he has made more enemies than friends by his disregard of other people’s finer feelings, delighting in opposition out of sheer perverseness. Controversy has followed controversy where Mr.’ Shaw is concerned, —he is, of course, no mean opponent—but it is very doubtful to-day, if much real regard is paid to his utterances. He can always be relied on for “good copy” by Pressmen, hence the profuse publicity he obtains, but most ,of the opinions lie affects to hold, to-day, are impracticable. Ills views on New Zealand, published, to-day, in another column, are typical of what has been called “cock-Shawism.” His practical knowledge of the Dominion is nil, or thereabouts, but he is eager within an hour or so of landing, to explain the best method of running the Dominion. Similar statements may be heard at many a street-corner, or places where men assemble and meet together, but what would be estimated as ignor-

ance or “hot air” if from Tom,

Dick, or Harry, is acclaimed—or

|is expected to be.—as wisdom from Mr. Shaw. He has come to New Zealand for a month’s’holiday, and he will be welcomed, and even more so, were he to sub-edit more his oratory. He must have so much of interest to relate, and it is distressing that he should misuse his abilities in the manner he does. He is cynical and candid enough about himself, to prove that he is not selfdeceived, if self-sufficient, and none knows better than he that he does not mean half what he says. If he has no more valuable contribution to make on New Zealand affairs, than the “interview” he gave yesterday, it is to be hoped that he will make h-is stay in this country, a real holiday, for others as well as himself.