“THE CENTIPEDE WAS HAPPY QUITE—”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 April 1934, Page 8

“THE CENTIPEDE WAS HAPPY QUITE —”

Consider how problemiess life was until four years ago, says an American commentator. We do not refer to the daily life of the individual, but to the greater life of the nation. The nation moved on without doubt of its ability to move mi l without much self-questioning as to destination

The feeling prior to the fall of 1929, and the uncertainty which has developed since, could not be better described than in the historic verse:

The centipede was happy quite Until the frog in fun

Said, “Pray which leg comes after which ?” And wrought his mind to such a pitch He fell exhausted in the ditch, Considering how to run. » And there are times when the onlooker, pondering (he plans of recovery, must- reach tlie conclusion that the only way to effect recovery is to forget about plans. The legs of the centipede are simply arranged compared with the multitudinous legs of human society, and if the centipede can be thrown into confusion and paralysis by the mischievous inquiry of the frog, then so can the state be thibwh into confusion by too much frightened analysis of which foot goes first. Tlie thing to do is to get- up ‘and walk.