PASSING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27514, 7 October 1950, Page 3

PASSING NOTES

The British authorities are lamenting the financial failure of the schema to grow groundnuts in Central Tanganyika. The problem as they- see it is whether to pour in more good money to follow the millions of pounds already lost. If they succeeded at last;' in making profits, and, according tp’> those on the spot it is extremely doubt- ) ful, that would appear to be' their.* only concern. While some have justi-' fled the plan because it would give - work and prosperity to the natives, this kind of imposed welfare is proving of very dubious value to the)Africans. Certainly the natives have .: seen how the jungle can be removed expeditiously with bulldozers., But the contact they have had with white over-, seers has been a mixed blessing. At Kongwa, headquarters of the scheme,' there are upwards of 1000 whites. ■ These have been suddenly transported ! to an enervating climate, with primi-' - tive accommodation and little provision - for the use of their leisure time, . Nearly 20,000 natives have been attracted from their village life and are congregated together in conditions which make them an easy prey for the white man's vices. It does not take the African long to earn what to him is a fortune at the high rate of pay. He carries not only what he has earned, but also what he has learned, back to his village. The reckless venture is costing the African more even than it is the British taxpayer.

A ” composition ” handed in at a secondary school last week had soma comments on happenings on the waterfront. The writer asserted that such, things had a bearing not only on the rights of some individual persons, but also “ on the density of the people of New Zealand as a whole.” No doubt “ destiny ” was intended, but the state- 1 N ment as it stands deserves some consideration.

The residents of Brighton are taking into their own hands the improvement of the sanitary reputation of their seaside resort and giving their own answer to the question as to who runs the community. In another salubrious residential suburb with a sea vievv quite another answer has been given to the same question. Sydney’s environs include a Palm Beach which, for popularity, is ■ following in the Wake of its American namesake. However, part of the district is so elevated that the employees of the Sanitary Department have refused to give service. The efforts of the Shire Council have met with a flat refusal by the union, and residents have been notified that the service, which ceased last June, cannot be reintroduced.

The difference of opinion within the British Labour Party regarding the Government's participation in the Schuman plan for the international control of Franco-German coal and steel production parallels, the uncertainty elsewhere as to the effects of the scheme. In broad outline the proposals seem to offer an attractive approach to a difficult problem, but details are awaited before there can be the adequate discussion prerequisite to agreement:' Repairs and replacements of war damage have caused a heavy demand for steel. To meet this, Europe’s production has steadily increased. So much so that the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe says that at present rates production will exceed consumption . by 8,000,000 metric tons by 1953. France • has most of the best ore and Germany most of the best. coal. M. Schuman proposes that Franco-Ger-man production of these essential commodities should be under a common control formed of equal numbers of delegates from all the participating governments, together with a United Nations observer. The best modern methods would be introduced and' . workers' living conditions improved! >, Coal would be supplied on equal terms to all member countries. Coal and steel products would be controlled as to quantity and price, and would pass between member countries without customs duties. M. Schuman considers that this would help remove the “ age-old opposition of France and Germany,” and make war between them impossible. The plan has widespread support in France, has been enthusiastically received in Western Germany and the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy have given support, but the United Kingdom so far has not. To some it appears that Britain's attitude is dictated by economic selfishness. At present her steel products are more than those of France and Germany combined and the cheapest in Europe. The question as seen by • many is whether to maintain this, superiority or help secure stability and peace in Europe. The opposite view has been staled by the New Statesman and Nation: “A plan for economic integration based on the continued exist-, ance of private capital in heavy industry—the reality concealed behind a screen of public titles—is likely to prove little better than a fraud.”

There is endless interest to be found in noting the vagaries of human nature. In the following example there may also be a hint to our temperance organisations. In Villiers street, minster, England, there is a hotel that has legal permission to remain open continuously. It has never had a licence and customers can be served all night without breaking the law. The owner is a Freeman of the Vintners Company and inherits his unusual privilege from the days of Edward 111 who granted it in return for a loan in cash. But such is the way of men that, having the right, they do not want it. Actually this tavern closes earlier than any other in the locality.

The small daughter of a Dunedin minister who, as is to be expected, has known Bible stories from earliest days, heard an unfamiliar word in conversation and inquired “ What is a Welshman? ” The mother explained that a Welshman was a man who lived in Wales. “Oh," said the enlightened one. “ like Jonah.” There may be a few more Welshman of the Jonah variety if credence is given to the report that a whaler of Eden, New South Wales, hearing that his nephefv in Cooma had suffered from hiccups for eight days continuously, sent for the young man and placed him inside a dead whale. That cured him. Perhaps some would prefer hiccups.

Residents of Denver, Colorado, filed a petition asking the City Council to replace the spittoons in the Court House. It was claimed, amongst other things, that their •' removal was unconstitutional. That these lowly conveniences, almost extinct in New Zealand, should find a place in a city's constitution is not in the least surprising to those who know the >.obacco chewing habits of the Middle West of the United States. Even so it is something of a shock to encounter the receptacle of doubtful taste at the entrance to a church. But one learns. In a Kentucky church one Sunday morning Silas, a sturdy deacon, was combining meditation with chew (he never joined in the singing), when he was unexpectedly called upon to help take up the collection. Now there are some things one does not do when acting as a representative in the house of worship. So as the line of collectors filed up the aisle to the front of the church Silas saw his salvation near the side door about fifteen feet away. Long experience told him that there was no need to break the line or attract attention. Without even inclining his head he made expert use of the spittoon, and all was well.

Marine Reservist Thomas B. Meyer, of Longview. United States, when ordered to report for duty by 8 a.m. on August 5. wired for an extension of time so that he could train a replacement for his job. His request was granted, he was given until 9 a.m. on August 5

The Post Office issues international reply coupons for pre-paying postage on replies to letters addressed to places overseas. There is now no re-; striction on the period these coupons are valid.