PASSING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27388, 13 May 1950, Page 9

PASSING NOTES

Light was shed on the way the Iron Curtain is viewed from the inside of it when the Polish Government requested the withdrawal of the British-American Quaker Mission, the International Red Cross and other voluntary societies that had been working in that country. These bodies were engaged in peaceful remedial work amongst the needly. They aimed to help heal the hurts of war. What they were doing could hot by any stretch of imagination be construed as a military danger or as political propaganda. They were turned out because Poland no longer needed the services of foreign workers. This indiscriminate unneighbourliness is a revealing feature of the present international situation. It is the first time, the Quakers report, that the door has been shut to thejr work. They have always tried to build understanding by rendering disinterested service. Now, states their English annual report, “ the difficulty about all proposals for conciliation with Russia, and with, presumably, her satellites, is that there is no way of giving such proposals practical expression.”

Mr Trygve Lie (who pronounces his name like “Trig-vee Lee”) is rendering the nations a service by his frankness. He is a big enough man to be able to say when his organisation is in deep waters. He makes no use of false optimism to gain unstable support. The United Nations has to its credit notable achievements against almost impassable barriers. But the Secretary-general is not satisfied with the rate of progress in this “ year of decision for the world.” His personal conferences with Mr Stalin should result in clearer understanding. Peace now is to everybody’s advantage. The use of hydrogen bombs (each of which costs about £200,000,000 to make) and the anticipated effects, would mean something verv close to race suicide. It is in Russia that more practical faith in UN needs to be developed. At the same time the revival of interest locally is a welcome sign. Dunedin has now an active branch of the UN Association which is making itself a centre for the distribution of information through literature, films, a panel of speakers and the enlistment of all kinds of community organisations in the service of peace and human welfare.

The South Island is not without its mud baths. They are situated, temporarily at least, in the centre of the main south highway, about fifteen miles on the Dunedin side of Gore—that, is, east if you are travelling north. For years, motorists have shown much interest in this unusual resort. A run through one night last week revealed that a further strip of the road has been completed and sealed. The uncompleted pool of “ porridge ” is of undetermined length. At all events the notice at one reads, “Road Under Repair 1 Mile” and at the other end, “Road Under Repair 2 Miles.” From which it may be assumed that the foreman is a son of the shamrock isle who remembers the saying of a compatriot that it’s one distance from Christmas to New Year but a darned sight further from New Year to Christmas. A northern motorist had trouble at the bad spot. He 'phoned for a mechanic who provided him with a new petrol pump and cleaned out the whole fuel system. As the car still remained stationary they examined the petrol tank, to find that the only trouble was that “ she was out of juice.”

To “Only a Sailor”: When one of your profession confesses to ■ limited knowledge and “ many errors,” and “ turns in desperation ” to this “ most interesting column ” because he is “ anxious to learn ” and wants an answer to “a very simple question,” naturally I take soundings in search of hidden rocks. However, if you ■’want plain comment on your questions, here it is. The Constantine who Greece is not the same as the .Umperor who turned Byzantium into Constantinople. And it was not the work, devious or otherwise, of genealogical experts that made it true that two men with the same name reigned in different countries at different times. As you say, Rome and Constantinople were built on seven hills, and that is the answer to your question about Dunedin. It was built on seven. If anyone feels inclined to dispute that he must first give a satisfying answer to the question, What is a hill?, He will be faced with the old problem: At what stage does one more grain of sand make a hill? If you start with one grain and add one at a time, the result at first will not be a hill. But you must come to the stage at which the addition of one more grain turns what is not a hill into a hill. If you can determine at what point that change is reached, you can count with accuracy the number of hills in Dunedin. In the meantime I am satisfied with the usual calculation that affirms that this “Athens of the South” is a city of seven hills.

/ Edward Arnold, who has frequently appeared in films as a successful politician, is hoping that this will prove prophetic in the November elections. His name is on the nomination lists as a Republican candidate for the Senate.

If a commentator allowed himself the same frankness as the students display at Capping time, he would say that there was one really good thing about Wednesday's procession, and that was the cause to which the collection was devoted.

If Demosthenes, pebble in mouth, harangued the ocean to overcome his stutter and to become the most perfect orator of ancient times, he was not the only public speaker who succeeded against difficulties. It has happened so often that it almost seems that the determined concentration needed to master limitations was a main reason for ultimate success. Devastating laughter greeted Disraeli’s stumbling maiden speech in Parliament, but later his confident onslaughts compelled admiration. The younger Pitt, with a harsh, unpleasant voice, became a greater orator tnan his father, who was the fortunate possessor of clear musical tones. Charles Stewart Parnell broke down after a few words in his first attempt at a political speech. For some time he was so nervous that his fingernails drew blood from his palms, clenched behind his back while speaking. Through much of his life, the instructions given by Bernard of Clairvaux were laboured and tiresome, but he persevered to take his place amongst the outstanding preachers of all times. Having something to say which they believed important, these men mastered themselves and developed the ability to say it effectively. A consciousness of inferiority will drive the hireling into oblivion, but to the prophet it is a spur to the persistent effort that brings success.

Advertisements in press and from radio announce a plentiful supply of electric irons, jugs, toasters, heaters and radios —“ everything you require in this electrical showroom.” That is, of course, everything you require except the electricity you require

"The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.” And less notorious people, who have no liking for Lucifer, misuse Holy Writ so as to cause much trouble for themselves and others. Their sincerity does not shield them from the evil effects of being sincerely wrong. Mr Garfield Todd, missionary and M.P. of Southern Rhodesia, told of the disturbances caused by African Zionists, some of whose leaders were recently imprisoned for various forms of lawlessness. But these are deliberate and conscientious breakers of the law. They think it their duty to be so. and quote the Bible in support With limited education the leader reads the words of the apostle Paul, Be ye followers of me ’ and Paul was put in prison. Therefore those who would truly follow him must get themselves imprisoned! Their misunderstanding is only a little more obvious that that of other sincere people who misuse the Scripture in support of their narrow nationalism and their teachings about inevitable wars. The worst of evils is a good abused. Ev'n ministers, they hae been kenn’d. In holy rapture, A rousing whid at times to vend. And nail't wi' Scripture. Civis.