TIMELY TOPICS

Northern Advocate, 5 November 1932, Page 6

TIMELY TOPICS

THE KCONOAfY AXE,

“Without taking it for granted that the axe is once more to cleave education, we must ever remember that many covetous eyes and itching lingers aro too much concerned with us. Our enemies are to be found in all quarters. Some, though perfectly cognisant of our just claims, are hostile through choice. Their aim is to get A.l value for OB money prices—an aim considered as smart business. They iise' riieans quite in keeping., with the nnds they . seek—by. misleading comparisons of 11114 education costs with those for the current year, by calumny which is cowardly because it is sweeping, and by playing on the ignorance of public opinion. We must not rest passively under attack from our deliberate opponents. Wherever and whenever possible, we must strike tLem as hard and as often as we can. We.riiust completely dispel the excusable ignorance of the man in the street —excusable ignorance because it has been fostered instead of removed by the majority of newspapers. ’ •* —Air Thomas Manly, in “ The Schoolmaster” (London!. * . » * * LLOYD GEORGE AND LABOUR. Speaking at Aberystwyth on September 21, Mr Lloyd George referred to the position of the Liberal Ministers in the British Cabinet. Mr Lloyd George said he was sorry for the Liberal .Ministers. They had their perplexities. It was -what he had seen many a time when a. cat had 'pushed its head into a cream jug and could not get, it out without either breaking the jug or having someone to pull it mil by the tail. It was the latter process that was going on at the present moment, and he hoped it would aliened. Liberalism did all it could to help the Labour Party to carry through every progressive measure it ever attempted. The Liberals’ difficulty was to got Labour to move on. They had to push and push, but could hardly get them to shift. He (Mr Lloyd George) was not talking as an enemy of Labour but as one who was anxious that Labour should get on with the great work of reconstruction. They had great objects, greater hopes, and ideals so exalted that one could not see them with the most powerful telescope ever invented, but they scrmnpled up the moment they faced the job. It was not as if there were lions in the path; the moment they saw a penguin in the road flapping its wings and croaking they fled. Mr MacDonald was a characteristic loader. His ideas were impressionistic, and with little detail. Ho was always talking about the city lie was going to build, but never laid a brick in it. It was only part of his theatrical property, which ho went from town to town to exhibit.

ROYS COMPARER. “A lot Jins boon said of tho superior physique and stamina of New Zealand boys as compared with the average public school boy of England. Consequently, it will come as news to learn that 4 kc experience of the Clock Mouse authorities decidedly (he reverse. 1 1 [> to this year TbV’k House was devoted entirely to training t]u* sons of seamen of Great Britain, but from now onwards (he institution is In he given over to the training as farmers of sons of New Zealand returned soldiers. Tint first batch of ~>T New Zealand lads are a 4 the institution now. and they are not standing up to the work as did the boys from overseas. Undoubtedly they will harden to their jobs in time, yet: it is strange that even sons of farmers are no exception. What is the reason for this? Is. it that the. average New Zealand boy is pampered in his youth? .Is it that he sees too much of luxurious living as compared with Hie boy tit Home? 'l’he facts as revealed at Flock House provide food for thought for those who profess an interest in youth welfare. On the other hand, tho New Zealand hoy is displaying more initiative' than his English cousin did at: the institution, is brighter mentally, displays greater keenness over his work, and generally is more cheerful in his new surroundings."