Topics of The Times

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26200, 10 July 1946, Page 4

Topics of The Times

by Hydra

We have become more or less accustomed to the modern tendency towards regimentation of the life of the individual, as indeed we have had every opportunity to do in New Zealand, but we do think it is a little over the odds when the Government tries to tell us how we shall spend our holidays. For that> reason, then, it is with some disquiet that we read, in a report to the party by the Parliamentary Labour group:—

Endeavour will be made to provide every New Zealand citizen with the means of obtaining holidays through group travel, mountain track development, camps, and the organisation of the beaches.

All very well intentioned, no doubt, but we find it difficult to escape the feeling that this is merely another encroachment on the liberties of the subject, or another case where the Government would be doing much better to mind its own business. It is that reference to the “organisation of the beaches ’’ that we particularly dislike. Up to the present the organisation of the beaches in New Zealand has been largely in the hands of Nature, which, we think, hasn't made such a bad job of it, even though the temperatures might have been more evenly distributed, and it is with nothing short of dismay that we contemplate any attempt by a Government department to improve on Nature’s handiwork.

And, talking of organised beaches, we tarried awhile just 12 months ago along the coast of the South of France between Monte Carlo and Cannes. Around those parts they have probably the most highly organised beaches in the world, but give us the unorganised New Zealand beach any day. Everything was organised right down to the edge of the Mediterranean, with sections oi the beaches marked off exclusively for the patrons of the huge hotels and the smart cafes right opposite. American army “restees" from Germany were largely in occupation at the time but. for some reason, were forbidden to bathe, although there they were in some of the world's bestknown resorts. There were enough of the regular habituees about, however, and sufficient activity of liveried attendants between the beaches and the hotels to give a good indication of what that particular type of organisation involved, and we were not impressed. Mind you, we do not for a moment accuse the Government of attempting to establish another French Riviera around the New Zealand coast, but neither would we care to see the present informality and freedom of our beaches imperilled by the sort of "strength through joy" idea the Parliamentary Labour group seems to have m mind.

News from Rome and Trieste and other former haunts these days urges us more than ever to the conclusion that, if Italians could be made to work with the same ease as they may be induced to demonstrate, most of the worries of their country would be over. Just at the moment, it will be very hot in Rome. but. notwithstanding, the locals are evidently able to shout and stamp, to tear down the fence around the Allied car park in the Piazza Venezia, and throw the pieces at the representatives of the nations which delivered them from their uncomfortable alliance with the marauding Hun. Turned into useful channels, this energy might do a lot towards the regeneration of Italy, but until some way is found of transferring all the idle men from the cafes and barbers’ shops and card parlours to some form of productive employment it is difficult to see full use being made of the country’s resources. The remedy that often suggested itself to New Zealanders in Italy—that the women should be put in charge with .the men under their orders—might well be worth a trial.