Round THE Corners

New Zealand Mail, Issue 691, 29 May 1885, Page 13

Round THE Corners

Like water, springs in a parched land are practical remarks from the pulpit touching the physical welfare of the people. And of the pulpit orators of the colony, the Rev. Mr Waddell, of Dunedin, seems to be a man of foresight aDd common sense, and his very plain utterances about late shopping, delivered at a Blue Ribbon meeting, contain a good many texts upon which practical discourses might be based. His comments upon late shopping, and its contingent evils, were very much to the point. Far more than violent physical exertion, does long, unexciting, but sapping labor, tell upon the nerves and create a desire for stimulii. People so tried feel, to use a homely phrase, “ a sinking sensation,” and they adopt the nearest and readiest remedy for restoration of tone. And alcohol in some form, or another is that remedy. And who can wonder at the exhaustion supervening after ten or twelve hours of close application to sedentary, and same, employment. How many lives have literally rotted away under such infliction the unwritten labor records of the world eould tell with saddening effect. To ameliorate the condition of the masses should be the aim of every true man and woman ;, to. let sunlight into darkened homes; to clear away stumbling blocks from the paths of humanity; to plant flowers and green things in sandy desert places, ol which there are only too many m the very heart of our high and boasted civilisation ; to take the wail out of childish, voices and despair out of women’s hearts. These are some of the ends which make life worth living, and to promote them we are called upon to suppress selfishness and give a little out of superabundance to those who stand in need. To be o-uided by gentle consideration for others is a very good thing indeed,, and in the suppression of late shopping is one—and a very easy—way of giving effect to it. Not a few ladies societies have sprung into existence lately, and, amongst others, why not one for the regulation of time for shopping?. I see no reason why every shop in town should not be closed by seven o’clock. After that only clubs and reading rooms and the chemist and doctor should be kept open.

I should like to know the reason why of the Marquis of Hartington’s remarks in the House of Commons anent the proposed visit to England of the Australian Contingent. There is something at the bottom of the noble Lord’s remarks. Why was it “that Her Majesty’s Government did not regard it as either convenient or satisfactory for the Australian Contingent to visit England.” That there is something extraordinary here is apparent at a glance, for under ordinary circumstances nothing could have been more politic, more convenient, or more satisfactory to Englan than to have welcomed and entertained the very first Contingent of a colonial army raised to aid her in the hour of peril. The contingent

would have been enfete all the time it was in England, and English folks would have seen for themselves what Australians really were" made of. It is here, I think, that there is a rub. The contingent was very largely composed of men not Australians,.mere visitors to the continent, sailors, runaway and others, gold-diggers and so on. It would have been awkward —that’s the word—if some lynx-eyed recruiting sergeant or ship’s marshal had twigged a dear old acquaintance or two amongst the gallant contingent. That is the only objection —outside of the expense—that X can see to the proposed visit of the contingent to England. Perhaps the day will come when a colonial brigade of men, colonial born, will be entertained in the old country. It needs no diviner to tell of the enthusiastic reception that awaits them.- ■

The advertised train arrangements for Whit Monday, the Queen’s birthday, &c., displayed a pronounced strain of idiocy. It was duly notified that the ordinary train running arrangements would be suspended, and that cer tain given prices would be charged to Wairarapa. But “ divil ” a word was said about the times the trains would start. That was left to the imagination of the public, and to the remote chance of a small handbill, that was put through an evening paper, being read. The general fate of handbills so issued is t® be trampled under foot, and it was no wonder, therefore, that everybody nearly w-as _in the dark about the trains, and were inquiring of everybody else if they knew. We hope that in future the good old advertising plan will be stuck to, and such notions as hand-billing, born of weak brains, be carefully avoided.

The Government is not only patriotic, but strictly commercial. As it has at last introduced business of the severest kind into one of its departments, the rest will be similarly leavened. Ever since that railway to the Hutt racecourse was constructed, a warm, paternal interest has been taken by the Government in the Hutt racecourse. It does its level best to put little things in its way, and I have no doubt was at the bottom of having the Volunteer review held there on the Queen’s birthday. It was not the convenience or entertainment of citizens that was considered, but the getting of so many pounds and shillings out of citizens’ pockets for railway fares, notwithstanding that equally good places, for reviewpurposes, were to be found in the Newtown. Park and Island Bay, while they were infinitely easier of access.

More than usual emphasis may be laid upon, and more significance attached to, the beautiful weather that prevailed from end to end of the colony on Sunday and Monday last ; real “ Queen’s weather ” it was, and in keeping with the characteristics of “ Victoria the Good.” A bright and shining light is she among the Kings and Potentates of the earth ; and that many happy returns of the day may indeed be hers, is the earnest wish of one of the tribe Bohemian. When she goes it will be long ere we look upon her like again, and, indeed, if the handwriting on the wall is being decyphered aright, the days of Kings and Queens is fast drawing to a close.

Because war has been averted now, it does not follow that peace shall always be. But nothing is more certain than that peace will incline to those who can best entertain it. And they best entertain peace who can best defend it. ’Tis to the strong hand, guided by wisdom, that peace most inclines, weakness and vacillation know it not, for then all is turmoil and uncertainty. Resoluteness of conscientious purpose brings peace oYmind, and. where there is that the more material peace is not far off. Henceforth it is to be hoped that the colonies will be like strong men keeping: their houses in security ; not trusting to forbearance (* the chance turn of events, but to their own muscle and back-bone. Ido not think Australia will ever be unprepared for the worst again, and I hope New, Zealand wont. But before New Zealand can show a really good front to the world every man within her borders must be a fighting man armed with, the best weapons of precision. I wonderthe Government does not encourage the establish ment of Volunteer reserve forces, inembers to provide their own uniform, arms, and accoutrements ; the Government only providing ammunition. Such a movement might, I think, be promoted by granting some small privilege, or distinction, to men willing to give time and money to the object. But & Government has the public schools _to work upon for future contingencies. It is in that direction that fighting power can be developed to full purpose.

The march of democracy in the colonies wa» further exemplified by the presence of a full Volunteer private, in full uniform, at the Governor levee on the Queen’s Birthday. An lie bore himself bravely, and presented the usual arms—two pieces of pasteboard in a. manner that did himself and the corps, he belonged to, infinite credit. But the disgust of the Volunteer officers, who also presented arms on the occasion, was unbounded ; such an intrusion upon sacred majesty ! Dear, dear, and ruffling their fine feathers too ! And more than that, the same full private, who must be ot an uncommonly aspiring turn of mind, subsequently attempted to obtain a passage to the Hutt in the carriage set apart for the officers “ Can ye make room for an odd file in there ?” said he. “ No, sir,” sternly replied the officer in command, you are forgetting yourself, sir ; and I think, sir, that I also saw you at the Governor’s levee, to-day, sir Z. Much like your assurance, sir !” “ Assurance be hanged!” the other trolled forth with arollicking roll of the voice. Anybody can go there, and why not me.” And then he winked, absolutely winked, audaciously, at the full car of officers, and then striking an attitude, ‘ ‘ the soldier leant upon his sword and (pretending), wiped away a tear.” ’Twas cutting, and the officers wiped their eyes in sheer sympathy. Asmodeus.