SUNBEAM COLUMN

Grey River Argus, 8 July 1922, Page 8

SUNBEAM COLUMN

Greetings to All! Good thoughts to Uncle Ted! Good thoughts to all the world! Now besides our concentration of good thoughts on our Uncle Ted, lot us spare a few thoughts for dear old Dad who says he is sadly in need of a rest. Let us send him our good thoughts that the spell off will do him good, and that he will come back to our page with increased vigor and lighter heart . To Wihoi will have to let us know how he is from time to time, and she will have to keep Dad’s brick in tin wall by his cheery letters. Wc fif'd a great surprise last week little Sunbeams. Our dear Uncle Ned come along off his own bat too. It is much happier when our Uncles come back. I really do feel grateful to Un clo Ned and I send him our good thoughts. His good advice is still with us and he loves us .just the same. If only our dear Uncle Ted would come we would be just so much happier. 1 am sure a lot of Sunbeams would miss reading his letter. Wc must concentrate on Uncle Ted and make him come to us. You must have been thinking with me Gladys as you will see I have also asked all Sunbeams to write. I hope they do. Dear Hazel, 1 saw yoa last Saturday at the Lyceum Hall. J was hoping your name would come out first. I should have jumped for joy if one.of.my Sunbeams had won. but H-uch 'Xfas hot our luck, >vas it? Keep On Jack, I am sure- Uncle* Ted must answer our pleadings. lam 'sure you do not mind getting the wood for Olive, <|q you Wattie? 'The lovely character of dear Jack is shown in his unselfish ness in thinking of everybody else. I think Eddie your .letter was a treat. 1 just love to hear from Sunbeams about each other. I am sure your love all dumb animals Lily. f should like to hco your eat at his jazz, he must be funny. Keep on writing Doris, when you grow’ up to be a big girlie you will feel proud |f your dear mother who helped you so much with your letters. I am sure you love her very much. Welcome Elaine! Yes a real welcome to you once more. How beautiful for you to write during your holidays. I appreciate your effort very much. Yoe. had two letters in last week Annie, well done dear Sunbeam! Dad needs your good thoughts now Annie and I am sure you will not forget him. Your accounts of your past acquaintance with Uncle Ted were just lovely, Te Wihoi, I am sure you will tell us them all. Thanks very much Madge, it is Sun beams like you who keep on reminding our absent Sunbeams to whom the page owes its existence; they see they are not forgotten and write. I, too, wish all Sunbeams young and old to write and keep on writing. Y*'s Rose it is cold in mornings, but a good game of hockey will soon make you warm. 1 am awfully sorry you have been ill Elvina, and I hope you ; re- now better. I am also sorry that some Sunbeam did not win a prize in the Art Union. I saw Hazel watching the draw, and 1 am sure she was excited. Now T must try and remember something I have seen or heard or read last I wrote you a few lines. 1. . morning, after all arc gene to work, I usually get the “ Argus” and read for an hour. 1 often come across a l ame I have grown to love to sec, an 1 i, and that name is Debs—Eugen, i Did any of you ®-e the, article!- U . just glorious and pat hr t^-.. I.«r>d .'ll the big tears fell on T.thc •punperj d lov nil the peoplu in-theignol he iefi .yii-t loved him.. Do you* _ tfexuvinber t,: h words he said “I am: a ritizen of the world, and all men are «ay brothers! 1 should like to take you* >ll in my arms and love you, and I thank-God my citizenship has not cost nic«my conscience, even if my conscience cost me my citizenship! ” If you are reading any books or papers Sunbeams, nnd you see anything that Debs has said, read it, and read it again, it’s good; for he is good. Do not even believe that Debs great big, big Sunbeam full of Jove and great big, big Sunbeam full of live and human tenderness. Would that the world had many of his kind. Then it would be a better place than it is to ; day. Good thoughts to every one! Greetings and love, AUNT FLORA.

• Wollongong. , My; Dear'Aunties. and t Uncles,—lt is a, long timfc ago since I*wrote to you; ard‘l do enjoy reading the Sunbeam letters so much. ( The last time I Wrote we were having very hot weather; now .it is just the. other extreme so cold;. but 1. keep, quite warm for I can run'about very quickly and climb 'everywhere. 'Sunbeam Jim and I are digging around the garden all day long. Sometimes we have a squabble, but it is soon forgotten. Little Jim is beginning to talk very nicely now; he can say quite a number of words and is quite a little man in his pants and jersey. He went to Sydney one day this week to see his granddad who is 7K years old and is very proud of him. He camo home very tired with his Mum; for to go to Sydney and back in ono day is rather too much. J will conclude. With love to you Auntie, and Uncles, and good thoughts to all the Sunbeams, From, SUNBEAM DORA. Roseneatfi, Wollongong, N.S.W. Dear Aunt Flora, Uncles and Sunbeams, —it is now some time since I wrote to our growing column and in the papers received per mail this morning I noticed quite a number have joined us. I hope they are good cor respondents as I am agraid if they all are as neglectful as I, poor Auntie would often feel very down-hearted. Yes, Sunbeam Lily; my Mum left Mil lerton four and a half years’ ago, but she can’t think who your Mum is, so you will be sure and mention it when writing to the circle, as Mum is very anxious to hear of any old acquaintances. Wc are having very cold weather but are too near the sea for the frost or snow; but the wind is very cold. We have a nice little dog, his name is Darcy and he is black and tan. W(* only got him a week ago and lie follows Sunbeam Dora and myself about all over the place. lie is a most affectionate little fellow. We have four dogs and their names are.' Bobbie, Pat, Mac, Guinness aud| JD’arey. Bobbie and D ’arey arc fiunti ing dogs. They go into the scrub and chase the rabbits or foxes for daddy to shoot. We also have a horse and two cockatoos. The cocky can talk very well. He says almost anything: he can bite boys fingers too —I that much to my sorrow. I like to poke ■» nt. cocky with a stick, but mummy . says its wicked; but I don’t think so I until cocky bites the wrong end of the I stick. Almost every one has a talk- ‘

ing bird of sonic description over here, because this is their native home; so they are not thought a great deal oi, but over in New Zealand where they are rare they arc highly valued.' I haven’t very much news this time Sunbeams, but before closing Mummy would like to mention to any of tho : Millerton folk that Mr and Airs Rich-j aid Graham, late of Millerton are. liv- ! ing quite close to us and are doing well. They were well-known in the Labour and Socialistic circles of Millerton, but left there about four years ago. 1 hope all our lit 1c Sunbeams have remembered the men off the wrecked ‘•Wiltshire” when sending their good thoughts and also that they have reaped their reward for their good thoughts in regard to the letter from Uncle Tod. I must conclude with good thoughts to A untie, Uncles, i Dad and all the Sunbeams. I remain, 1 Your affectionate, SUNBEAM JIM. (20 months old.) Aly Dear Auntie, Uncles and Sunbeams. Greetings to you all. Dear Aunt Flora; Dad has to admit having told a crooked one. Last week he, said that he was not writing again for ■ a mouth; but when he saw yourself j asking Sunbeams to show their line | memory, and our Gladys asking for I letters, Dad had made an effort. He. is going to tell you what a blunder there ■was made over asking for good thoughts. A few weeks ago Dad had a visitor all the way from the North Island, a nephew. One morning Dad was pottering about, and happening to look up, away there in the distance he saw someone tearing towards him at a great rate. Who the deuce can this be? You see, Dad seldom has a visitor on the. farm. Anyway, this one turned out to be the nephew, and the lirst thing he said was, “what the deuce is up here?” “Of course Dad had to look -around but seeing nothing in particular out of place, he asked, ‘why: everything seems to be as usual; well I’m blowed; I thought there was the devil to pay here!, ” “But we don’t happen to deal off him,” said Dad, “the grab-it-alls have got him in hand just now; they’ are training him for the coining elections. They can’t afford to keep him loafing about; the high cost of living won’t allow it.” “Well I'm blowed,. Here have I come all the way from the North Island expecting to find everything turned upside down. “Anyway,” he said, “if things are alright, what the. deuce were you driving at in the paper with the kiddies?” “Ah,” said Dad. “now we are getting a little light on things.” You sec, it turned out to be those good thoughts Dad had been asking for. “Well I never,” I said, “and that has brought you all the way from the North Island?’’ “Yes,” he said, “ami, what is more, I am going to ask you away back with me; you arc not going to stay here any longer like this!” “steady a minute,” said Dad!, “what about writing to the kiddies?” “Hang the kiddies,” he said, “What?” said Dad, “hang a kiddie? Not while Dad is about; not a one of them. Hang the old ones if you have any rope to spare, but never a kiddie; wo need them all on the job when fixing up the better world.” Well then; will you promise- to let me know if anything docs go wrong here?” be asked. “Right ho,' 1 said Dad. “You just keep ,;iji cyo.ou. Vtax Suiihcaiqs page.' ..If yiiyfhpig .goes crook here you wi H. .fin ditc' H b PI \ V P c 11 Ih c lines.” Afjl t salj.-fivd h.i<m, '• \Vai»tie 7 m.y lack Dqcl Heels shocked-. N.q ordinary good boy. leave alone would be gLiil’y of murdering -dear innocent helpless little biiMs K ai4d\.tfhon :to call sport. Whatever will our.’ Auntie say to you? Dad is leaving you to our Auntie. Good thoughts to the dear little birds. Good thoughts to our dear ones in tho North. Good thoughts to all, from DAD. Omakau, Dear Aunt Flora, —Every morning when my little brother and I arc going to school our little cat follows us away along the road. He is a little tortoise-

shell colour and his name is Torly. What a good little girl Sunbeam “Loveday” must be to write so young. That is a lovely name to give a Sunbeam. I like to read the Sunbeam’s letters and hear about their pets. I send good thoughts to yourself and all the Sunbeams, from sUNBE A M SNOW DROI’.

Omakau. Dear Aunt Flora.—Greetings to your self, Uncles Ned and 'Jed, and all the I Sunbeams. What a happy family | yours is, Aunt Flora! Each one trying to make the other happier with their kind welcomes and words of en-' couragement. 1 feel, when I road, such letters, that 'hey are the true 1 type of Sunbeam. Sunbeams in their homes and nt school, and that is the way all little children should be. Do not despair, little ones; Uncle Tod will soon fall a victim to our good thoughts. Perhaps just now he is too busy fighting the cause of the workers in Parliament, and he may not have time to think of our “Column,” but perhaps in some hour of leisure he may take up the “Argus” and see our appeal. then, I know he shall write at once, so keep sending him good thoughts and messages of love. And what of Uncle Ned? It is quite al lime since he has sent us a letter. 1 think we too, should call on him Tor 1 a nice long letter. What do you say, i .Sunbeams? To all you new Sunbeams 1 my heart breathes you a welcome, when . I read your letters. If you only knew 1 how we people in the “backbkA'ks” i look for the “Argus’’ and especially “Saturday’s” with its “Sunbeam Cir-I de.” and that “indispensable” Column written by “The Vag’s Understudy” you would say the trouble it I took io write was worth while. All | the week we see columns and indeed, ])age after page, of murders, robberies and horrid things, such as tend to weaken our minds and make us nervous, and frigliteiied to slay alone in our I homes, when occasion arises; but wh-ei) | we get a pag* 1 of simple childish letter.s full up of love and happy words, i the pure minds of innocent children written on*p-iper, then surely that page is sacred. What could be more pleasant and peaceful Io the mind? Though, 1 am not a regular correspondent, I love to write-to you occasionally littleSunbeams; to help and encourage you i so that the “Argus” shall shine as! one big Sun. and your columns per ‘ -unbeams, sending out love and happi- , ness, and warmth all the year round- ■ So yon have found me out. Te Wihoi! I Well, someday I too shall find you, and i Dad. 1 send him especially a hearty j welcome to our column, and I sincerely hope both he and your Grandma are [uite well again. Tho initials are I “A.A.” Gladys, I enjoy yours and)

Alary Ann’s letters and am very inii.vsicd in -hum, and the Te Namu Sunbeams are never found wanting, they are the foundation of the page, and the little Blaketown writers, too, arc really a credit. Good thoughts to all the world, from “A LITTLE AIOTHER.” Millerton. Dear Aunt Flora, —At I must let the Sunbeams sec I have not forgotten them. No, Madge; lam not quite lost. Your’s and Uncle Ned’s letter have shaken me out of my sleep. Uncle Ned’s letter made me sec lots of things in a new light and now I can think good thoughts once more. 1 could not sit and write good thoughts when in ftiy heart I was thinking hate thoughts to or of any one; but I think ; now 1 understand the meaning of the ’power of ’.houghts and what it can lead one to. I think I had got into i a big mud hole Auntie: and the more il tried to get out the thicker the mud 1 stuck. But some words in Uncle Ned’s letter had the right effect and 1 see things quite different. Thoughts are really everything, after all. I send you all good thoughts! To all the world good thoughts, SUNBEAAI MAGGIE. West land. , Aly Dear Aunt Flora, Uncles and Sunbeams.—Greetings to you all. Aly Dear Aunt Flora, the next section of ,my little story was already prepared when last Saturday’s paper came; but since reading t our page, something has caused me to hesitate. I feel there may be the danger of a misunderstand:ing, no', with the matter contained in the story itself, but in my object for writing it. However, there is no harm done; for the present the story will keep. 1 must try to attain my object in some other way. Have it I your way, dear Aunt Flora. Te Wihoi is not going to say any more, to wrong liny dear Uncle Ted, in either, thought ’word, or deed, would be dreadful, and pho very last thing I could wish to be [guilty of. I have loved, and do love ■him too well; anything 1 have said in tho past was mostly done in a bantering way, and 1 feel sure, my dear Uncle, would never take offence at anything his little “singing bird” may say in that way. You used to call me your little singing bi*... dear Uncle, and I used to feel proud of il. “I have done.” Love and good thoughts to you, my dear Uncle 'led always. My Dear Madge; I have found out since that it was our dear Elaine who sent me those snapshots, and 1 now ask you dear Elaine to overlook my carelessness We were in such a jumble at that time, and everything seemed to be turned up.--idc down. I have no further excuse to offer, but I ask you now, dear one, to kindly accept this apology, and my sincere thanks for your kindness. My dear little Jack; Mum said thai, “did she;” Uncle Ted needs our good thoughts because he works hard for us and we need Uncle Ted’s good letter, because we love him very dearIv! Tell Uncle Ted that, little Jack, you are a good little Bunbeam. You are right, dear Gladys. It would be fine if all little ones were to send in their little letters together; our dear Auntie would feel so warm and comfortable. But what about a new scheme, Gladys? Ask our dear manager to leave a blank .space where each shirker’s letter should be, and o-njy to print each ones across the blank space? ,1! would . idea of wlibit wur fljriclc wall*-would look like. Never fear,- dear-. Gladys.. Tc \\ ihoi will be yin the for- you. Aly dear Uiu>le 1 jojn with others in. bi ldui.g you a hourly welcome, but your reference- to Te Wihoi, 1 confess 1 do not understand. You are welcome, nevertheless. Good thoughts to our dear ones’in the far north, to Alum of the Workcf, to our dear Uncles, zYuntie and all the Sunbeams, from SI NBEAM TE WIHOI.

Millerton. ’ Dear Aunt Flora, —Good ' Auntie, to you and Dad, Te M ihoi and her Grannie; and to all Sunbeams at nine always. Our teacher look us all ‘ to a little creek for nature study and a goat came and watched us all the time and I have been wondering Auntie, if goats think and what that fel- ’ low was thinking about. Good i thoughts to all. SUN BEA Al JACK. AlillertonDear Aunt Flora, —Greetings and good thoughts to you, and Uncles Ted and Ned. ' What a lovely surprise to. get a lei ter from Uncle Ned at last; ! and I hope lie will come back when ever he gets any spare time, and tell us more about thoughts. I am so pleased Sunbeam Olivo got the prize. I Mum said she must have beautiful , thoughts as she writes such nice let- ' tors. lam just sending goocTthoughts to you all this week. 1 have had such a sore face and bad to get three teeth I out to-day. Good thoughts to L'ad, Te Wihoi, and all Sunbeams, from SUNBEAM EDDIE. Te Namu. Dear Aunt Flora,— Greetings, greet- ■ ings to you all, and good thoughts to . our dear Uncle Ted. I have been watching for a letter from Uncle Ted every Monday when the paper arrives, but I am always disappointed. My [dear Gladys; you said you would not [like to live where Sunbeam Madge •Ilives for she does not get the paper , until a week after it is printed, but you have, made a mistake for the Te j Nanni Sunbeams get Saturday’s papei I two days after it is printed. Wc had I a storm last Sunday night but it has been fine ever since. Well dear Un Idas, Sunbeams and Auntie; I will have ito bring this short letter to a close as Kaiora is going for tho mail. lam I waiting for her to bring home the Saturday’s paper .so I can read the Sun--beam Circle. Good thoughts lo all the world, from SUNBEAM CLAIRE. I p.S.:No letter from Jean this week as site has gon-e for a message. e—■■

SAM GOMPERS AND “PERSONAL ! LIBERTY.’’ j In the year 1919 a Special Commit- I tee of the United States Senate sat 1 and called evidence in regard to the ' putting into force of National Prohibibition then imminent. Representatives from an immense number of labour unions appeared and gave their testimony, some for, some against. Amongst them was Air Sam Gompers, of the American Federation of Labour, who has never denied that he did rctive work for the brewers in their efforts to defeat Prohibtion. He is working for them actively now in a campaign to build up a case for the return of beer and light wines. Before that Committece Air Gompers said no word in favour of spirits. He in fact s: id: “There is scarcely a division of opinion that the elimination of spirituous liquors from our livps in America has been a wise and practical contribution to a better life.” One can get as much alcohol by drinking beer as by drinking whisky, end logically, Air Gompers’ statement moans that the elimination of the habit of taking alcohol is a “wise and practical contribution to a better life.” Mr Louis Nash is a well-known fig ure in the Labour Afovement in the U.S.A. He is, amongst other things, tho f.- tlier of the shop assistants’ halfholiday there. In the annual report of the N.Z. Alliance a letter from him to Air Samuel Gompers was published. For the information of those who have not seen it, here is whrt appeared in the 1917-20 report: — A Letter to Sam. “For 30 years I fought Prohibition on the stump and through the Press, as relentlessly as my ability would permit, solely from the personal liberty standpoint. Mv view changed as the result of witnessing a wonderful contrast of a State drunk and a Statd sober. Com- , ing to Seattle a year and a-half ago, which Stale I remembered as one of the worst hell-holes in America during the Klondyke rush, and seeing them go through a general strike a few weeks ago, with GO,OOO men on the streets, all with plenty of money in their pockets, and not even so much as a free fight during the whole period of the strike —that, is what has changed my view on the question of Prohibition.” —,

(Signed) Louis Nash. Mr Nash saw this, and wrote to tho Secret: rv N.Z.A. as follows:— Seattle, April sth, 1921.

Dear Sir, — Allow me to thank you for the report just received, in which you quote from my letter to President Gompers, 1 never anticipated the far-reaching effect my letter might have when penning samn, and I want to say that tho passage of time has confirmed the conclusion I-j-eached therein.

The demise of the open saloon, often looked upon as the workingman’s club in the old days, marked the beginning of a new era in industry.

A befuddled brain was incapable of coping with the industrial problem. Now some of the worst drunkards have become the most reliable, advisers in the Labour movement.

The personal liberty argument falls fiat before the actual results of Prohibition, and. I accord due credit to thjj noble men and women who stood by their principle during all the years that others ami myself were combating their efforts by e\ cry argument at our command.

God speed the cause until, ip fox. Leaking drink is, banisliod A f|jom earth,, and this frtun. one ?vho f never was a drinking* nian and.*nQve» ,tobacco in his lif<>, yet ,who. fought qf9r ; those who : p_. .vehement ly as any human ovqij? 30 years. (Sgd.) Louis Nash. —N.Z. Alliance Publicity (48)