THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 64

THE WEEK.

“How’s your sugar-bag?” is the universal querv amongst housewives just at present. Those who took prompt action and replenished their stocks at the first symptoms of a shortage are making merry over the foolish ones who now cannot get oil for their lamps, figuratively speaking. At the first glimpse it seems strange that, because several men’ in Wellington held a meeting in working hours, Johnny’s

supply of sugar on his morning porridge should be docked a few days later; but so complicated is the economic system of these days that the action of one part acts and reacts indefinitely on the other parts. Anything to do 'with shipping, of course, particularly affects an island community like this country. I wonder if you know the story of one of the earliest strikes on record? It was away back in the early days of the Roman Republic, just after the Tarquins had been expelled, and the new commonwealth was struggling to its feet. The laws were in a very unsatisfactory state, particularly those relating to debt, whicn pressed very hardly on many whose lands had been wasted during the constant wars of that time. Discontent was rife amongst the plebeians, and when an invasion was threatened by some of the surrounding tribes the army mutinied and established itself on a hill outside Rome to await developments. The first angry and then alarmed Senate sent a deputation to confer with the rebels, and after cne or two speeches had been made, with no result but to inflame the feelings of both sides, there arose one Menenius Agrippa, who told them a little story. He said that at one time all the members of the body mutinied against the