Topics of The Times

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26236, 21 August 1946, Page 4

Topics of The Times

by Hydra

Dipping quietly into , classical mythology during the week-end, we were slightly startled to come across an illustration of Hercules and the Hydra and to see jest what a nasty sort of beast we had selected for a nom dd plume. We had never given the question a great deal of thought previously, but the sight of this sevenheaded cross between a dragon and one of the more repulsive types of snake doing its best to rend from Here, what .little clothing he was wearing at the time set us back more than a trifle. In fact, as w.e studied the thing more closely, we became rather worried as to the sort of impression we might have been creating among our wide circle of readers, so that, in case it is still not too late, we hasten to assure them that any resemblance we may bear to this unpleasant monster of the long, long ago is purely accidental, and that any apparent instance of ill-will which may occasionally arise in this column is • due more to local and temporary causes (such as indigestion) than to an inborn .dislike, of the human species. After all, we know very well what happened to the Hydra of old. and lest another Hercules should arise to smite us we propose to play very much upon the safe side.

But. talking of the labours of Hercules, we think something of the kind must have been in Mr Nash's mind when he was writing this year’s Budget. Admittedly, tne reading of this all-important document is the big moment of the year in the life of a Minister of Finance —and the politician has yet to be born who experienced an active distate for the sound of his own voice—but to get up and read aloud solidly for more than a couple of'hours is something which few people would care to undertake. And when it is considered that the meat of the Budget—the part the people really wanted to hear—could have been told in a matter of five minutes or so, it will be seen that the preparation of it, no less than the.reading, must have been a task of more than ordinary magnitude. But, needless to say, although the directing hand was his, the Budget would not be Mr Nash’s sole, unaided work, and the sigh of relief which he no doubt inwardly permitted himself when he finally sat down would be heartily shared by a small group of departmental heads at the prospect of getting considerably more sleep than they had enjoyed in the previous week or so. In the matter of office work, Mr Nash has the reputation of being one who does not spare himself, and. in the process, does not spare his staff either.

We notice that Mr Jordan has been giving them the benefit of some more of his homely advice at the Peace Conference. Just how "blasted rot’ would translate into Russian it is difficult to say, but we hope it remained clear enough for Mr Vyshinsky to realise exactly what “ the ' temperamental delegate from New Zealand thought of his speech.

From a report of the Auckland University College Students’ Association:

The Extra-curricular Committee Has i continued to attract fair audiences to its -regular functions throughout the year, the usual “Sex and Health ’’ lectures being delivered by Dr Elizabeth Hughes and Mr Douglas Robb. These features were keenly attended, and tne college is grateful to the two speakers for the interest they have taken in the student body. Interesting subject!

Horror story in the House: " I shudder to think what will happen if we have no bees in the Hawke’s say district.” said Mr E. L. Cullen (Govt.. Hawke’s Bay), in the House of Representatives, when emphasising the danger to the bee population of using spray poisoning in orchards. It’s a fairly shuddering thought, all right.