LOCAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 1 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOSSIP.

B* MSECDTIO.

Somebody, probably Shakespeare, onco said "the whirligig of timo bring 3 its revenge." It is quito safo to blame Shakespeare. Everybody revere 3 his momoiy, of course, but the uumber of people who have read his cornpleto works is not great enough to mako attributing almost any quotation to him dangerous Somebody may try to prove you wrong by producing the works of somebody else and showing you tlio passago thorojn contained. As the somebody elso is almost bound to bo a later author, you can always say ho cribbed the quotation from Shakespeare, and invito tho doubter to read tho wholo of his works in order to prove that nono of them contains the debated gem of wisdom. Just try this on with, say " Government of tho people, for tho peoplo, by the people," and seo how it succeeds. But this is not a paragraph about Shakespoaro. It is concerned with tho way tho whirligig of time does really bring its revenge. There have recently been certain political events, and much discussion of what may happen wih a change of Government The need for land settlement, and tho chances of its being stimulated have had their part in tho spate of talk Now there was a change of Government in 1912. Anyone who has tho tnno and patience to look into the records of contemporary history, as embalmed in news paper files, will find expressions of heartfelt satisfaction that the period of stagnation in land settlement was thereby to bo brought to an end, and that attention at last would be given to tho essential task of opening up, occupying and making productive every acre of idle land in tho Dominion There seems a certain familiarity about tho ring of those words, a familiarity which can with complete confidenco be atlr buted to the loading of certain things which have appeared in tho newspapers very recently. Of course, if you go back to tho files of 1859 you will find letters fiom indignant correspondents asserting that tho allegations about tho unemployment were gross exaggerations, and that some of tho men supposed to bo in a condition of extreme distress had actually refused definite offers of work undo to thom by reputable citizens. The whirligig is bringing its revengo continually, only most peoplo aro too busy to notice it.

It did not take long after tlio election results had appeared for enthusiasts to appear, in their turn, with suggestions that the timo was unusually ripo for getting away from the- system of party government. It does riot do, ever, to say that the timo is more than ripe; a little reflection will show what is the conventional next stage following ripeness. It is not polite to describe the condition. Anyway, with full allowance made for the bonii-fitfes'-o/* thoso ' whef "thus 'drga the nation to turn its back on a method of conducting public affairs which exhibits enough absurdities to cast doubt on the general possession of a sense of humour, do not trust too much to the chance of what they advocate actually happening. All kinds of reasons could be given for so dismal a prophecy. There is no need to go into them, 'the best thing to do is to cast back a little into past h;.story. To consult the files of the Herald for early 1912 shows that the fate of a Gov ernment was then trembling in the balance. The correspondence columns contained letters proving definitely that the party system was pernicious, grotesque, full of absurdities, and not to be tolerated by ari intelligent democratic community. The time was ripo for u change that would enable a Cabinet to be chosen from the best elements in Parliament, regardless of such artificial distinctions as niero party labels. The timo is by way of being ripo for thi3 every timo anything occurs to disturb the normal formation and functioning of a Cabinet with a definite majority behind it. The trouble is all'the ripeness seems to produco precious little fruit. Anyhow, if you want a classic demonstration of the futility of party divisions, turn to Gulliver's Travels and re-read the account of tho feud, in the land of little people, between tho "big endians" and the "little-endians." One party believed in opening an egg at tho big end; tho other held tho opposite view. It is long weary years since Dean Swift wrote, but tho party system still endures.

Apropos of party Government, an instance may be recalled of tho method used by a former stalwart of Reform, tho Hon, F, M. B. Fisher, 111 dealing with heckling questioners. The timo was between the short session of February, 1912, and tho accession of Mr. Massey to power in the following June, Rival leaders were stumping tho country and tho North was being ardently wooed. At a great rally, held at Helensville, all tho big guns were booming. Mr. Fisher, always a popular platform man, had been one of the speakers. When he had finished a man arose, remarked that Mr. Fisher had referred to party Government, and asked whether 110 did not think it was a pernicious system that ought to bo abolished. Scenting hostility, Mr. Fisher turned on the questioner—who remained standing—and said: "I quite agree it is a pernicious system But tho Ileaven-born genius has not yet arisen to devise a better one—unless I happen to be looking at hiin now." Collapse of tho questioner.

Having prepared and rendered a bill amounting to £264 for port and - docking charges in respect of trio steamer Maui I'oruare, the Auckland Harbour Board received from the Government, as owner, an admission of liability amounting to £9B. If everybody could do business on that basis, and get away with it, ship-owning ■would I>o much mora popular than it is now. Tho board, according to report, decided "to accept tho amount the Govern Jnent was willing to admit, without prejudice." Is this absolutely accurate? .Does uot the hoard harbour just a suspicion of prejudice against the Government as a shipowner'!

Tho Chincso of Auckland, following a custom they have observed for years, have pent another donation of £lO to tho hospital. Boino of thoso peoplo whoso remarks about, the Chinese are inclined to range from tho patronising to tho definitely offensive might make a note of this recurring event, also of tho chairman's statement thai (ho Chinese patients all pay their foes. Tho virilo and independent people who accept all tho hospital can do for them, expect to pay no fees, and tend to turn nasty when asked to do so may bo specially recommended to contemplate tho Chinese examplo. A littlo selfexamination and comparison would do them no harm Tho chief point of tho donation. however, is in tho covering letter which explains that Chinese patients, appreciating what was done for them could not express their gratitude in words. So long as they do it in the way they havo chosen, tho hospital authorities will not feel hurt, it is quite safe to say, at their lack of effusiveness—in words.