NOTES BY THE WAY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3442, 12 March 1932, Page 5

NOTES BY THE WAY

(By Rambler.) It may be necessary to set up a Conciliation Commission to deal with the trouble in the League of Nations. It is reported that no fresh legislation was introduced into the House this week. A most profitable week for the country, already surfeited with “fresh” legislation. It was stated at a meeting that two householders had paid their rates twice, and asked for a refund. These two should be included in the circus now in Auckland as two unknown ,species of humanity. According to a statesman, a murder is committed in America every 40 minutes. In New - Zealand and Australia the gangsters would be under an Arbitration Court award and this over-indulgence in vielence would be stopped. Sir John Hanham has been lecturing to the New Zealand Numismatic Society on early British coins. No doubt the old-fashioned sovereign and half sovereign would come in for a considerable amount of comment. This national spirit is growing. Emboldened by the success of. De Valera in the Irish Free State, a number of Welsh students tore down the flag on Carnarvon Castle and hoisted the Welsh flag. It will be Scotland’s turn next for a display of the national' spirit. If I were in George Forbes’ place I would be inclined to give the farmers all they want; accede to the demands of the Civil servants; let the banks charge any old rate of interest; give Labour a free run; and reduce taxation by half. Of course there would be civil war, but that wouldn’t make matters much worse than they now are. It is reported that there has been a decline in the totalisator returns this year of 50 per cent. The art union competition is too strong for the racing clubs. The German electiops are to be held to-morrow (Sunday). I have often wondered what a Continental Sunday meant, since the Railway Football Club, the Band, and the Chronicle were so severely slated some months ago. The latest addition to the Cabinet, Mr. Macmillan, is reported to have made a practice of starting work at 5 a.m. It is not stated whether he calls in his secretary or typiste to start this early bird business, but if he does they will not be too enthusiastic about the new appointment. In any case it must be awkward at times as the House often sits till the early hours of the morning. This superenergy reminds me of the inquisitive lady who was cross-questioning the London busman on his mode of living. After answering question after question in which it was disclosed that the busman rose at 5 a.m., fed his ’osses, and then drove the bus from 7 a.m. till 11 p.m., after which the ’osses ’ad to be fed and groomed again, the lady asked: “What do you do with your spare time?” The exasperated one replied: “I ’elps father.” A further question: “What does your father do for a living?” was the breaking point. “What does father do? Oh, he’s a burglar!” The lady got off at the next stopping place. That’ll teach them to run the country by Commissions. What has the Economy Commission decided: That the number of members of. Parliament shall be cut down; that the cost of running Bellamy’s shall also be cut down; that ex-members shall have no free railway parses; that all members and their wives must first obtain an order to travel free on railways, just like a common reporter. The Commission has not made one recommendation that will be popular with the persons concerned. Everyone thinks that the sacrifices should be made by the other fellow.

At the opening of a bridge in the King Country some two years ago—the good old times—the settlers from one side and the settlers from the other side met in the centre of the bridge and there was an allround handshaking. Perhaps Mr. Lang and his Cabinet and Colonel Campbell and the New Guard might do the same at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge next week.