NOTES BY THE WAY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4633, 8 December 1934, Page 5

NOTES BY THE WAY

(By Rambler).

It’s a queer world we are living in

when it is necessary to provide a bodyguard to delegates attending a “Peace Conference.”

An eminent prelate has been attacking golfers, styling them as selfish people, and learning things they ought not to. Many people swear by golf.

What with floods, droughts, locusts and a few other things, it seems that Nature will solve the Quota problem automatically.

The iron and steel trade has taken a decided turn for the better, states a message from Britain. I wonder what France thinks of this?

The life of a Minister of the Crown, says Sir Walter Carncross, is the life of a dog. Maybe—but of an extremely lucky dog—even, if he doesn’t get patted on the back very often.

A plea for still closer contact between the countries comprising the British Empire has been advanced. May I query the “still,” or mention “spuds” and Australia in the same breath?

The Dowager Lady Swaythling has complimented New Zealand on the quality of its hotels. Now, I wonder whether it is that she has no interest in hotels as “hotels,’’ or that she hasn’t come to the National Park or the Waitomo Caves?

There are people who state that visits by Royalty serve no useful purpose, but a report from Wellington states that all the leading tailors are busy there, and some have been compelled to refuse orders, and bowler hats are in strong demand, also silk hats. It looks as if the Duke is going to have a busy time shaking hands in Wellington.

The story is now brought to light of how three Germans, since executed, set fire to the Reichstag in order to make the Communists and Socialists culpable and strengthen the power of the Nazis. But it will never be a warning to this old world that people who know too much should be removed too soon—for the plotters’ comfort.

The Speaker of the Legislative Council recalls the days when heavy drinking was the order of the day at Bellamy’s, but to-day tea drinkers easily outnumbered the others. During the last 45 years the whole social life of Parliament has been altered. May I agree with him. I’ll admit they may drink more tea than beer, and this, combined with the free trips offering, must have altered things a good deal.

A prominent Australian agricultural expert says: “I am personally astounded at the production of the Dominion—the pastures are a revelation.” Now, if he’ll go home and tell the Australians all about it they might stop their boasting and the “we-own-the-earth” style that all true Enzeders accredit them, but they will probably say: “Oh, no, we can’t compete against a fertile country like that—put another embargo on.” Then, perhaps, we’ll pay for a few more Ministerial trips.

A dutiful and conscientious member of the fire brigade at Toowoomba has suddenly jumped into fame by demanding that the Royal visitor put out his cigarette during a ball held in his honour. This was the first message, but the fireman himself said that he only made a polite request. The town dignitaries, headed by the Mayor, were horrified, and ordered all the firemen off the premises, though this was no doubt contrary. to the town by-laws. No mention is made of the attitude of the Duke in. the matter, but if he had followed British historic traditions he would have complimented the fireman on his attention to duty.

The newsmonger in Britain has excelled himself. In the “Sphere” of October 13 the following appears:— “A terrible hurricane devastated the southern part of the North Island of New Zealand at the moment when Lord Bledisloe’s successor as Gover-nor-General was announced. Lord Bledisloe’s term of office expires next March, having been extended to cover the Duke of Gloucester’s visit, which may be somewhat curtailed by the disaster.” It is common knowledge that the Governor-General in Council has extensive and various powers, but control of the winds and the waves is not one of them.

At the moment the economic conditions in the Dominion are such that any large migration is out the question, says Mr. Malcolm MacDonald. But what about the godwits—or the polticians? The Labour Party predicts a migration from the Government benches, we are told that there is a migration of sheep from Poverty Bay to the Waikato. But once the Labour Party gets into power I understand that immediate prosperity is to result —once they get the moneypower in their hands. The trouble is that the only way so far that the Government has secured this moneypower is to cause a migration from my pocket to the Government —and it might not be a large migration, but too big for my resources.