LOCAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13967, 28 September 1918, Page 1 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOSSIP.

BY MEHCUTIO.

Tire movement to organise public opinion in a permanent form against the return of German influence to the Pacific will be widely welcome!, and many people will await with interest the definition of the aims and the constitution of the new society. It is an important step towards the creation of a national spirit in the cowlry. Before the war, it was rarely possible to turn the whole weight of public opinion in a single direction. There was antagonism of purpose, hostility of methods, and consequently weakness of effort. The war has taught us that the Dominion has national interests, which must be pursued by the united people. And the defence of the Dominion is one of the first duties of the people as a nation.

The eolection of a title for tho league to preserve peace and liberty in the Pacific is not so simple as it appears. " Hands off the Pacific " may serve as a " slogan," though it is open to objection. It might b'e interpreted as a declaration that NewZealand proposes to annex the former German colonies. Moreover, in view of the inevitable tendency to abbreviation in ouch matters, the initials of the phrase ,'orm a somewhat unsuitable combination, suggestive of oven more unfortunate elaboration—the fato of the National • Association has not been forgotten. There is also tho consideration that the name " Hands off the Pacific Club " is liable to misconstruction. It suggests a feeling of alarm for the security of an unobtrusive social institution in the city, which has at present, at any rate, no need of public protection.

The war continues to be the greatest geography lesson that any generation has had. Many people who were doubtful of the part of Palestine in which Armageddon, or as the Revised Version has it, Harmagedon, lies, have had it permanently fixed in their memory by that wonderful picture of Indian Lancers riding down Turkish machine-gunners on the plain. The battles of Armageddon do not lie whoilv in the present or the future. It has been the scene of several great struggles, and any war that includes Palestine must tend to centre on Armageddon and the surrounding districts.

Among the exhibits at the recent show of spring flowers in Auckland were some daffodils grown by Mr. A. E. Lowe, head gardener for the Hon. R. H. Rhodes, at Tai Tapu, near Christchurch. Mr. Lowe writes:— The entry was evidently made under a misapprehension by my friend to whom the flowers were sent. They were neither specially selected nor packed for ex. hifeition purposes other than to show a few varied early seedlings, but very largely to get an idea as to how daffodil flowers would arrive in Auckland after being packed for three days in a small box. The difference of the season of the flowering of the daffodil in Canterbury and in Auckland would be at least three weeks, so that competition in the most favourable circumstances would be very unequal." This explanation will be interesting to other exhibitors at the 6how, as Mr. Lowe's seedlings not only survived the long journey—for which the post office is no doubt entitled to credit—but arrived in such condition that they won prizes.

An Australian volunteer reject now on a business tour in New Zealand, writes asking for "a fair deal." Ee says:— "Since I arrived in your country I have been subjected to a large amount of illfeeling and ridicule, as the opinion here seems to be that a 'physically unfit' in Australia i» only a blind. Possibly some ridling Australians to whom the reject b(K%e is not acceptable, may have something to do with the accepted idea of '.'rejects' from Australia" It is a fair presumption that tho official badge is larded only under proper safeguards, and since Australia is not maintaining its reinforcements without difficulty, that no volunteer would be rejected unless his unfitness for active service were beyond doubt,

An old colonist writes:—"Some historic interest attaches to the brick building now in course of demolition at the corner of, O'Connell and Shortlaiid for many years occupied by Mr. Murchie- It was erected about 1865, for the newlyformed Bank of Auckland, and the opening ceremony was performed with great eclat. After a few years' business, the bank went into liquidation, to the great regret of many shareholders, who had subscribed most liberally towards the initial capital required, £50,000, with the belief that the bank would be a great success and help to the small tradesmen and producers who practically started it. The failure of the enterprise was, therefore, a severe blow to the business community generally."

One would hardly expect the bee-keeping industry to flourish in Queen Street, but it may come to that yet. A small apiary has been established on the flat roof of the Public Trust Building for the convenience of pupils attending a class conducted by the apiary instructor at Auckland. The bees appear to find plenty of forage in the parks and gardens of the city and show every sign of satisfaction with the novel location of their homes.

.The masters and mistresses of Auckland schools are at present sitting at the feet of political Gamaliels and studying the art of political agitation. And it must bo admitted that they are setting their own pupils an excellent example of diligent application to lessons. Some time ago tfle word went forth from high authority that* the only way in whkjh Cabinet i could be induced to provide the moneys j required for the enlargement and the ] proper equipment of schools, and the pro- . vision of other means essential to educa- j tion—to say nothing of improvement of i teachers' financial —was by bringing j pressure to bear upon local members, and j through them upon Ministers. In other j Words, the teachers must adopt the methods of the labour agitator, and canvass, write, telegraph, address meetings, Issue pamphlets, ana do all else that is I required to stir up public feeling. Above | all, they must gently, but forcibly, remind members that teachers and their | wive 3, sons, daughters, and friends, have I Totes and mean to exercise them in favour! of the political candidates who will plead | the pedagogic cause. The dominie, as j pupil, is an interesting spectacle, and we j can see in all directions that he is learning j his lesson well, and will even bettor the instructions of hi,3 political guides. Everyone has heard of the soldiers' song, "Australia Wi)l Be There." Vet few know that there is a New Zealand poem, j written many years ago, which conveys! the same sentiment. The writer was the late Sir Charles Bowen, and his muse proved prophetic, as the* following verse; will show :— When her dauntless hearts have chosen either deatii or victory. When her wnrinrq are fighting as the bravest only dar», For the bm:ii-:«.«a of freedom and the liberties of man, Then New Zealand shall be there In the van. Young New Zealand shall be there. It will be interesting to learn what constitutes a "mass meeting," a term very , prominent ir. the vocabulary of the labour bodies. So i'ar as can be seen, any meeting may be a mass meeting if its conveners choose to call ft so. At any rate, those whose business it is to watch such gatherings in the interest of the news- •■ loving public can see no distinction between the attendance usual at "mass / meetings," and at the most ordinary conL vocations. Still, the term seems to have f some comforting significance to the labour H leaders, possibly because it is an expresI lion of the natural instinct to rise above I the ruck, in spite of the moat dogmatio |§ doctrines of democracy..