Trifles Light as Air.

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 6, 11 September 1906, Page 5

Trifles Light as Air.

(By Tn Sprite.) Much dissatisfaction hu in the past been expressed at the system of repre—tation which obtains in the Man ennui I County. It ha* been alleged that the dirinon of the County into six ridings was made without consulting the intend* of ratepayers, and in order to create pocket boroughs for certain councillors. , It is argued that more effective administration would be secured, especially as regard* finance, and much parochialism abolished, were the old system of two ridings reverted to. Consequently one must anticipate a deal of discussion, following Mr. Powell’s suggested creation of seventh riding. Mr. Powell’s whole and, sole desire appears to be to have an odd number of councillors, in order to relieve the Chairman on rare occasions of the necessity of using his casting vote. Of course,* what the Chairman might have to do in case there were not a full attendance (say four or six) is left to the gentle reader to oonjecture. S“ people tell yams, others try to as, while not a few tell—stories; i not every day one hears a yam points a moral. Writer has a >f friends who, having at the time table excuse («'. e„ a cold), sought of a Northern pub. quite recently. rather poorly they elected to that delightful concoction known a and raspberry.” Mine host probottle which bore a plain label “ Bum. Not Broken Down.” id a couple of good “stiff ’uns” nt on their way rejoicing. Torening their " excuse ’’ had developed a large degree of hoarseness, and they mutually agreed that a little more -lubrication was the one thing necessary'. Once more repairing to the pub. the identical bottle was again produced. Three or four good “ stiff ’uns ” were on this occasion, disposed of, one of my friends incidentally remarking “That’s better mm than we had this afternoon—not so strong when you’re drinking it, but better when you’ve got it down.” " Oh, the bottle has just been refilled,” was the reply volunteered. The friends left, and shortly after the village notable came in for his usual “ Jimmy Woodser,” Observing the bottle with the plain label, he decided he’d also have a ram, at the same time providing himself with the usual “ bob’s ” worth for sixpence. The self-satisfied smile on his countenance quickly gave way to a look of consternation ana dismay however, as the glass reached his lips. “This aint ram,” he cried in alarm, “this is wine!” Then it transpired that the bottle had been refilled in mistake from the wine jar. And there were my two friends roaming round the road with a vague idea that somehow they ought to be feeling drank, but weren't. Of course the label was Responsible— awfully rum racket altogether, don’t you know. In future it might be better to simply mark the label N. B. D. ’Twould be very convenient—might then have several interpretations besides Not Broken Down, to wit Never Breeds Disease, Now Be Drank, Not to

Be Drimk, Never Boozes Drinkers, or, , as a teetotal acquaintance suggests, could mean Nerve and Brain Disorders or Nothing Bnt Damnation. This is merely a suggestion of course. The moral is obvious Never judge the oontents of anything by the label it bears. [N. B.— Tms admits of universal application, and will snit anything from a tin of toothpaste or potted beef to a bag of blood and bone manure or a Parliamentary candidate.]

Beferring to drink brings to mind a rather good story which is told in the “ Pall Mall Gazette.” In the scientific notes of that journal Dr. C. W. Salesbury comments on alcohol and Professor Metchnikoff, of the Pasteur Institute. The professor is the great student of the white cells of the blood, which eat up the microbes which would otherwise eat up you. But at the Pasteur Institute it is discovered that a rabbit, having been taken to drink, cannot be rendered immune from anthrax. His white cells, or leucocytes, had lost their appetite, and the enemy won. "Thus now,” says C. JV- 8., “ when I offer to a medical friend the various alcoholic liquors which I keep for my friends’ ‘ benefit,’ I simply ask, • would you care to paralyse you leucocytes?’”

-a The bi-metallic problem is not growing any more lucid as time goes on, says a writer. The perpetual depreciation of the silver coinage of India, Japan, China, and other countries is admittedly producing strange convulsions in the commercial world. The Indian rupee, for example, contains practically the same amount of silver as the British and colonial florin, yet while it is worth almost as much as ever it was to buy goods in India, it is worth only a little over Is for exchanging into gold. Therefore, the Hindoo who sends wheat to England , can exchange every sovereign he receives in payment into 20 florins, while the New Zealand exporter can only get 10 florins for his sovereign. Consequently the Hindoo gets twice as much for his produce as he used to do. And, on the other hand, he has to pay nearly 20 rupees instead of 10 for £1 worth of English goods, therefore he is protected W to the extent of 100 per cent., all round, v Consequently in India and Japan manufactures are increasing much faster than in England—in some cases 10 to 12 tunes raster according to latest advices. This looks like a solid argument in favor of bi-metallism, only several other eonsiderations block the way. India and Japan are doing well at present in certain Jbeotions because they have a depreciated ■ after currency. Argentine is also booming in.certain directions because it has a paper currency, which prof TpS exactly the same results. Appar- ▼ fatly, therefore, under certain circumstances, which are not very well defined, '_ ' a depecrated silver or paper currency Snav be a blessing to the community, for a tune at all events. The latter has the ybantage of being much easier to obtain; that is required is to issue irredeemable Goreminent notes in sufficient quantities and the thing is done. Also it costs less A to produce. Bi-metallism consists prac- , tieaUy in enacting that so much paper is ■ worth so much gold. And both of them ——but it is time to leave off now and take a well-earned rest. Nothing else in this world is quite so wearying as the biV asstalße problem, unless it is trying to be 1...