TRUTH TALKS

NZ Truth, Issue 976, 9 August 1924, Page 4

TRUTH TALKS

WITH THE MAN AT THE CORNER ON TOPICS OF THE WEEK >

Obsessed with the record-breaking craze, 'our 'friend*, the Man, has been unusually taciturn this week. Anyway, by the timo he had read the wonderful exploits of Jonathan Roberts re-, lated'on the front page and which he read m proof form while spreading his legs all over the office sanctum, we weren't m a> mood for garrulity either. Hence his utterances this week are seen to be less discursive than usual with this widely discursive man..

HORDES OF HUNGRY PEOPLE. "Do you know, 'Truth'," remarked the Man when we, stopped at his corner to have a chat, "I have come to the conclusion that some small business people do not grasp opportunities and are' always wailing about lack of business."' ', ■ : "Wouldn't; .the-' storekeeper give you your goods on credit?" we asked. "Not that at all," he answered. W I am thinking of 'the ciay of the All Black match m Pulmerston, wher> the country people had poured into that bright town by hundi-eds, all hungry and all looking for a good meal before the match." , "They should have had no difficulty; about that," we remarked. "That town is particulaiiy^\vell endowed with hash houses." a? "It is just wh^'f they did^ have," he said, '-'and the Rlace I struck was packed to overflowing. The overflow waited as long as they could, but had to finally .go off to the game without a meal." . "Well, we suppose that there are only a limited number of chairs- and tables and it could not be helped." But the Man had a theory, and he proceeded. "These places know that the crowd will be there,' but they do not appear to prepare for them. There were three jaded waitresses making ineffectual attempts to serve everyone at once, which of course was utterly impossible and you can imagine the result." "Yes, we think we can, we have had similar experiences," we said dismally. ."Not only that, but everything seemed to be 'off' the menu. Quick service would have meant that the crowd could have go,t away and' a fresh lot take their places immediately. The same pebple sat for over ah- hour patiently waiting for; a scratch, -meal, while hordes of famished people were stalking about the town."^ DEAR FRUIT. "No wonder we have to pay exhorbitant prices for our fruit, 'Truth I ,'' the Man remarked querulously. "The latest shipment of Island fruit to arrive m Wellington was half rotten." "But we must expect it sometimes Man, when the. product has to be brought such a distance. A lot depends on the weather during the. trip over." "Yes, 'an act of God.' I'll grant you rough weather may affect this perishable cargo to a certain extent, but that doesn't warrant the. stuff being loaded at the other end m a half-rotten condition." ; % . "Take that 'extract from the skipper's report: 'Rarotonga: Oranges shipped ex lighters were very ripe, and a lot of them were mildewy m the cases.' That's hardly an act of God. I'd call it confounded nerve on the part of the vendors m palming off a lot of rotten fruit on to people who can't very well make a fuss. The people at this end who bought them can't say too much for the shipper will only turn round and say It was 'an act of God' and that the fruit was m good condition when it, -.left." . "Yes, there's need for better supervision somowherf. Let's hope it won't be long m coming ab,out." "And a bettef boat: to bring 'em over m too," he finished.

RECORDS, AND STILL MORE.: . "Look here, 'Truth,' " said the Man, "S was telling you last week about' the piano fiend who reckoned he broke a world's: record endurance test, > ; atul then later, when I was m -Palmerston North the other day, what.Jshould 1 I find to be the topic of. conversation m tbat town but some gink out .- to break/ the skating record for : endurance, which he states to be. something like 60 hours. . ■■ . . , , ; .■

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, "Now, "'Truth,'": he went on, "this . fellow up there makes his attempt- to do this foolish act when, the town is crowded with visitors for .'■■ the All Black match} and the piano fiend madet his attempt m this town when: the : ■Winter Show was on, so m my opinion these people iire* not as- cranky as. some would > have us believe., It Is obvious that the takings are the real objective, ana not the gaining of the record." < \ "Dear, dear," we cried. "Tell, u» something we know,..Mari." '■ . /- IN THE DIM FUTURE. . "Our big political boss doesn't get much rest over^ this*, Hiley scheme, •Truth,"r emarked the Man. '.'I see t;»e member for Avon has been at Bill agairii?\ :'■"•" ~ .'"', ' ':, ':':'.:.. "The \Stfuth have found room for a lot of growls since that Hiley report was submitted though. They get a little impatient at times, you 'know." "Can you wonder at it, *Truth;? ■ It's over ten 'years since the" Government got that expert to .report .on the rail- . way system m New Zealand, and so far as' the Soiuth is concerned there hasn't been much done.' ;. Mr. Massey said his friends m Canterbury '^yere patiqnt and long-suffering. , tong:suffering's right, 'Truth."" .:--■■ ,' "Bis reforms like the scheme provided for can't be carried put, \n a week. : You must give the' (spve,rnnxerit credit for what they have done." S - "So I do, 'Truth,' but most ; of the work Hiley recommended has ■ been confined to * the Nortli while the rest has had td wait. H6w imich has been done towards the remodelling, of the. Lyttelton, Christchurch'and' Addington stations, .not to mention the duplication of the tunnel and a host of. .other things? Fah-'s fair, you 'know.'" 1 :; "We think finances are" in #£.* better shape now so a start is bound be made soon." v' : < • ' \ "One might ask the same as a member m the House did— when? If. that question isn't answered sobn, the eyewash . talked fdowri about a separate Parliament may take a more definite form." .