PASSING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 3

PASSING NOTES.

(From Saturday’s Otago Daily Times.)

After seven years of Pussyfoot domination the Americans are taking stock of the position—newspaper editors making up a profit and loss account, the pros and the an’tis pelting each other with statistics. There are statistics to prove that, if not bone dry, America at the worst is only a little dampish; on the other-hand there are statistics to prove that America is wetter than Tver,—that, in fact, under Pussyfoot the drinking of alcohol has doubled. Let me quote the exact words of this prodigious paradox as I find them in the North American Review, a periodical of the rank and standing of our own Quarterlies. After summing up facts and figures the writer says:— That is, the annual consumption of hard liquor is twice as great as before the Volstead era. Each side is convinced by its own arguments; neither side convinces th' other; nor does either side convince the impartial outsider. There is nothing so deluding as facts, except figures. On this point I am of one opinion with Walter Bagehot, who in the Victorian time was editor of the Economist and a leading English banker:—(please don’t jib at a questionable adjective that is coming; it is literature, not profanity; moreover it is Bagehot’s, not mine) —• “ There are degrees in mendacity, the positive, the comparative, the superlative —lies, damned lies, and statistics.” A crescendo, you perceive. This column . has no traffic with statistics. But, statistics apart, I am interested in the statement of a responsible contributor to the Review just mentioned. He says:— I have before me now an invitation to join the National Morality League, boasting a large membership in every State in the Union, whose purpose is to follow up the exclusion of liquor by a complete stoppage of tobacco, public boxing, public dancing, and Sunday recreation, establish a restrictive censorship of the theatre, moving pictures and books, and effect the outlawing of all games for prizes, including bridge,

An agent of that society—a graybearded minister, of a grim and earnest mien—who jailed to ask for a contribution, informed me that they had already secured initiatory legislation in seventeen States, and hoped soon to have it in final form in all of them. He told me that only that day it had been decided that he was to devote the whole of his time to the suppression of tobacco by new laws, for which he was to receive a salary of 10,000 dollars a year. The disposition to take your neighbour by the scruff of the neck and make him think as you think is an appetite that grows by what it feeds on. First, rob a poor man of his beer; next, put his p;-" out.

The China of our early notions, the China of the willow-pattern plate, quaint and curious, no longer exists; —perhaps never existed. Always .the real China was an unintelligible world apart, into which were packed and crammed onefifth of the human race, where man was a weed, as De Quincey says, and where life was cheap—so cheap that criminals for execution would stand in a row, each man in turn bending his head to be struck off, each man able to buy for cash, if he had it, a ready substitute. Wandering afield from this world of his own, perhaps crowded out, the heathen Chinee — “and Ah Sin was his name"—reached Australia, there to fossick in the “leads” of deserted goldfields. In Sydney, as Mr Quong Tart, smart in European dress, Ah Sin kept a fashionable tea shop. The New Zealand Ah Sin is “John” of die market garden, the fruit shop, the laundry, obnoxious to tbe police for nothing worse than illicit opium and a mysterious gamble called “fan tan.” With the expatriated Ah Sin we have no quarrel.

But, as we know, China itself, just now in frenzy and folly is all astir, brigand armies marching, meeting, clashing, and running away, fanatical mobs breathing out threatening and slaughter against the “foreign devil,” who is to be expelled or exterminated. Tn this posture of affairs the British Government, as in duty'bound, will- take steps to protect its nationals, and has announced the fact to China in terms of studied politeness. Accordingly we read of a detachment of Royal Marines embarking at Portsmouth, excited crowds cheering them and singing a song entitled “Shanghai”; also of the first cruiser squadron leaving Malta for the East, the other warships giving them an enthusiastic farewell. All the while the tone of our Government remains ominously polite. Kipling has verses that fit the case. Here are two; the rest are of the same quality and tenor:— When the heir of all the ages “has the honour to remain,” When he 'will not hear an insult, though men make it ne'er so plain, When his lips are schooled to meekness, when his back is bowed to blows— Well the keen aas-vogels know it—well the waiting jackal knows. Build on the flanks of Etna where the sullen smoke-puffs float— Or bathe in tropic waters where the lean fin dogs the boat— Cock the gun that is not loaded, cook the frozen dynamite— But, oh, beware my country, when my country grows polite!

Collective marketing,—we in New Zealand have heard much-on this subject, arguments for and against, with mention of this or that. producer obstinately resolved to sell his produce in his own way, at his own time, at his own private and personal risk. A similar discussion is going on in England, Sir Frank Fox, who seems to be an authority, trying to show in the London press “How to Make British Farming Pay.” A main item in his specific is collective or co-operative marketing. “There is no agricultural community which I know of in the world,

except the British”—he says—“where the farmer tries to sell as an individual. In New Zealand, in Australia, in Canada, the farmer sells co-operatively. Study the system by which the Canadian farmer markets his wheat, by which the New Zealand farmer markets his mutton and his butter. Study any of the successful competitors of our farmer, and it will be found that they are co-operative marketers.” But it is objected that the British farmer has an instinctive dislike of cooperation. Then he must be taught. Teaching him should be an integral part of all agricultural education. Ir> the last resort I should be inclined to. apply to the farmer who will not cooperate the method of a famous Master who was informed by an undergraduate that he could find no reason to believe in the existence of a Deity. The Master took out his watch. “If in an hour you have not found a reason, you will leave the College.” This for behoof of any hide-bound Tory amongst ourselves. The “ Honours of Scotland ” —a footnote by “Lothian”:— Dear “ Givis,” —Replying to the query from Otorohanga in last week’s Passing Notes about what is meant by the lines in the song “ Scotland Yet,” “We'll drink a cup tae Scotland yet Wi” a' the honours three,” you explained the “ honours three ” as the crown, the sceptre, and the Sword of State in the ancient regalia of the kingdom preserved in Edinburgh Castle. I have ifeard different explanations, but believe the one given by you is the right one. The author of the song was the Rev. Henry Scott Riddell, who was born in Dumfries-shire in 1798, and died in 1870. He wrote several other popular songs, the best known of which are “The Wild Glen Sae Green,” “Our Ain Folk,” “The Crook and Plaid,” “ Ours is the Land of . Gallant Hearts.” As the historic 25th of January is near it may be worth recalling that “ Scotland Yet ” was printed and sold on a separate sheet, and the proceeds devoted to providing a parapet and railing for the Burns Monument on the Calton Hill, Edinburgh. The same correspondent mentions that “ the modern version of ‘ Annie Laurie ’ was written by Lady John Scott, and she gave the proceeds to the Crimean Widows and Orphans’ Fund. The song at once got to be widely popular, and was sung ir the trenches at the Crimea.” Lady Scott’s version is far ahead of the old one; here is a verse of each. Her brow is like the snawdrift, . Her neck is like the swan. Her face it is the fairest That e’er the sun shone on, — That e’er the sun shone on. And dark blue is her e’e; And for bonnie Annie Laurie I’d lay- me doon and. dee. She’s backit like the peacock. She’s breistit like the swan, , She’s jimp aboot the middle sma’, Her waist ye weel micht span,—• Her waist ye weel micht span. And she has a rolling e’e; And for bonnie Annie Laurie I’d lay me doon and dee. This “old version,” which Lady Scott modernised and Anglicised, seems to me the better of the two.' Tastes vary, and my taste may be bad.

Scotland Yet!—in a note from the “ New Zealand House of Representatives” (according to the monogram at the head of it): — Do you know the recipe for Atholl brose? Lady Dunedin gave it in London when members, of the Scottish group of-the Forum Club and their friends celebrated St. Andrew’s Day. Lady Dunedin said one of the aims'' of the group was to keep up Scottish

customs. There were some Scottish customs, however, which perhaps it would be wiser in a reputable club to allow to fall into disuse. — (Laughter.) She doubteu if many members would be able to give the recipe for Atholl brose. — (Laughter.) The chief ingredients were whisky—a lot of whisky— (laughter) —and honey — a little honey.— (Laughter.) The Southron, with his elementary notions of “ brose ” as a porridge, may be puzzled when he finds Sir Walter Scott talking of Atholl brose as a beverage:—“Next morning, after the Captain had swallowed his morning draught of Atholl b’ose, he departed,”—the “ Captain ” being Captain Duncan of Knockdunder, a West Highlander, managing man for the Duke of Argyll in his Inverary country. Atholl brose is a Highland drink, in the Highlands much esteemed. But let me not put temptation in the way of innocent Otago, or 1 could not with decency print the testimonial that reaches me from “ Touch not the cat but a glove ” at East Gore: Hats off to " Civis! ” He's the one Who knows his Scotland best. He knows it from the north to south. Across from east to west. This “ Civis ” is a Scot, I’m sure, Who knows his “ Scotland Yet.” “ Sisters and brothers have I none,” But he’s my friend—you bet! Well, here's a health to you, my friend ; So lang may yer lum reek 1 And when in trouble or despair Yer counsel I'll aye seek. My blushes? —name them not. How many a ftower is horn to blush unseen! Civis.

Mr J. M’Gregor Wilkie, engineer to the Harbour Board, who has just returned from a visit to America and Europe, states that he was much surpriserd in London ■with the amount of building going on there. It was mostly shops and offices that were being constructed, and one of the biggest jobs was being carried out at the premises of Messrs Swan and Edgar, in Piccadilly, the well known retail drapery people. These premises were being rebuilt. There was no lack of optimism■in the old city so far as its continued growth and progress were concerned. London, said Mr Wilkie, was no doubt a glorious place in which to live if one had plepty of money, but it had become very congested. He felt, he wanted the ■wider spaces,, and to get away from the smell of petrol, which was most pronounced in many parts of the city. The parking difficulty was just as acute in London as in other large towns, and there appeared to be no move io erect special parking buildings, on the lines already in operation in New York and Chicago.

On Wednesday, off Cape Brett (reports our Auckland correspondent), Mr* F. B. Lesis, of England, caught the world’s record mako shark, weighing 5771 b, with the rod and line, after a9O minutes’ fight. The last Russell record catch was one of 5281 b. Mr Andreas, of Sydney, also caught a mako weighing 2351 b.

Touching on traffic problems in the big cities of the world, Mr J. M’Gregor Wilkie, who has just returned from a trip abroad, said that in London most of the passenger traffic was handled by the underground railways and the buses. There were no trams now in the heart of the city. The day of the tramcars appeared to have passed in the big cities. The traincars ■were not flexible enough, and had, perforce, ♦o give way to the tube and the motor bus.

A few years ago an inquiry for a man whose only known address was “somewhere in New Zealand” would be considered as futile as the chances of the celebrated celluloid dog who endeavoured to chase an asbestos cat through Gehenna. But with the development of wireless the futile gives way to the probable. For instance, on Tuesday a message from Sydney was picked up in Masterton stating that Mr A. A. Barnes, who was somewhere in New Zealand, was urgently required at his home in Coogee. The message was telegraphed through the Dominion. Inquiries were instituted from this office, with the result that Mr Barnes was located at the Carlton Hotel, and was able to catch the train for the north on Wednesday morning. After an absence of several months in England Mr A. E. Ellis, New Zealand representative on the British Phosphate Commission, returned by the Marama (reports our special correspondent in Auckland). While in England he met the English and Australian' commissioners, Messrs A. R. Dickinson and P. Deane, in conference. Matters in ' connection with Dominion requirements had been fully discussed. and he considered that the arrangements made for the marketing of phosphates should prove very satisfactory. Good work had been done at Nauru and Ocean Islands during the last half year, said Mr Ellis. Record quantities had been shipped—about 280,000 tons in all, necessitating the full use of all the steamers chartered to the commission. One thousand people arrived in Queenstown at midday on Wednesday on jr-one-day excursion from Invercargill, organised by Messrs H. and J. Smith, drapers (reports du? Queenstown correspondent). There was rain in the early morning, but it cleaied off, and the visitors had a wonderful day.

Dealing with the shipping tonnage of’ Great Britain, Mr J. M’Gregor Wilkie, engineer to the Harbour Board, said it was to be regretted that many British steamers were now being constructed on the Continent, where the building costs were much cheaper. Moreover, during the coal strike a number of British firms had had to import steel from the Continent in order to complete their contracts. In Glasgow and Liverpool very large new docks were being constructed. The port authorities in these towns were evidently paying attention to the trend in shipbuilding and making provision for the accommodation of larger vessels than those now in commission. The impression appeared to be that vessels of 40ft draught would soon be more in evidence, but that draught would be the maximum for some years to come. ‘ In no port he had visited were they providing for vessels of a greater depth. There were, of course-, some vessels drawing 40ft, but the tendency, as he had stated, was to increase the number. An echo of *the failure of the Auckland legal firm of Hammond and Cracknell came before the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (icports our special when the official assignee in bankruptcy, as administrator- of the estate of Hammond and Cracknell, sued the New Zealand Insurance Company, as trustees in the estate of the late Mr Stapleton Cotton Coulton (Mr R. N. White) to recver £6O alleged to have been lent by the firm of Hammond and Cracknell to Mr Coulton. The sum of £3O had been repaid, and plaintiff claimed the balance with interest to date. The plaintiff reduced the claim, by £1 12s, which had also been paid. Judgment was given for plaintiff for £4B 16s 10d, with court costs.

Tho monthly return furnished to the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. R. F. Bollard) by th§» registrar of motor vehicles on the number of motors registered in the Dominion shows (reports our special correspondent in Wellington) that the vehicles are maintaining a steady increase. In Nowember the registrations amounted to 152,573, and at the end of December last that total had grown to 155,325. The return is made up as follows: —North Island: Cars, 62,532; trucks, etc., 15,103; cycles, 18,262; —total, 95,897. South Island: Cars 38,930; trucks, etc., 6659; cycles, 13.839t0ta1, 59,428. Strong views in regard to cruelty in sport are held by Mr Gouverneur Morris, the American Svriter (says the Auckland Star), who is at present having a holiday in New Zealand. At one time Mr Morris was an enthusiastic deer stalker, and he secured some fine heads, but ofrecent years he has hunted the stag with the camera instead of the rifle. “In a well-stocked country,” he says, “it is not difficult to get within range, and a person possessed ci good health and steady nerves, and armed with the modem high-velocity .'•ifle, has little difficulty in hitting his stag. Unfortunately the animal too often is merely wounded, and drags itself away to die in misery. I can assure you it requires a great deal more skill and patience to get within “camera range,” and a good snapshort. makes a worthy souvenir of the day’s sport.” Mr Morris, who has just returned from a trip to the Bay of Islands, expresses himself strongly as to the cruelty involved in big-game fishing. He suggests that it might be possible to liberate the fish at the end of the battle for supremacy in which the angler has triumphed.

The Auckland Harbour Board has decided to demolish the sheerlegs from the Calliope Dock, which have been a landmark on the Waitemata for the past 20 years. Hutt recently (states the Evening Post). The machinery has already been sold for a little over £4OO, and the work of dismantling the remainder of the equipment will be carried out at the convenience of the board. When the removal of the sheerlegs was first suggested, one of tho reasons given was that they would be a menace in case of war, as they indicated the position of the Admiralty oil tanks, and could be seen from Tiritiri. “The sheerlegs have been a white elephant with us,” stated Mr H. R. Mackenzie, chairman of the board. “They cost the board about £34,000, and to-day the saleable portion will realise only about £lOOO. The Admiralty has now agreed to the demolition of the sheerlegs, as it is realised it would pay better to make use of the services of the floating crane, Mahua. During the past 20 years the sheerlegs have been used only about three times, so that to all intents and purposes they are useless.” Following the experiment successfully tried in the; North Island last year, the Railways Department is at present considering the suggestion to run a “farmers’ train” from the West Coast to Canterbury (states the Lyttelton Times). The idea is that a special train should convey farmers and their wives from the West Coast to a particular district in Canterbury, where the visitors would be billeted by the local farmers. Later the Canterbury farmers would be the guests of the West Coagt farmers. The interchange of ideas among the farmers would be of great value. On the journey ; in the train addresses would be given by an officer or officers of the Agricultural Department, and an officer of the Railways Department would talk of subjects of interest to farmers relating to' the railways. Dishonest folk, and also perhaps a good many who have decent instincts, can never understand what it is that prompts people to send “.conscience money" to various Government departments. Yet the practice is as old as the post office. Every month or so the Secretary to the Treasury acknowledges various sums received from “persons unknown, as conscience money to the New Zealand Government.” In the January issue of the Gazette a total sum of £25 18s is acknowledged in this way, five separate amounts having been forwarded’. -The smallest individual amount was’ 3s, sent to the Marine Department, and ■ the largest £l5, forwarded to the Commissioner of Taxes, while the Stamp Duties Department received £lO. Frequently private firms and business folk receive money labelled “conscience,” from those who could not silence “the still small voice.”

The Australian desire to lay a wager on any form of sport is evinced in Mr R. S. Taylor’s report to the Christchurch Gun Club on his visit to Melbourne for the shooting championship. In all Australian shooting matches a system of loading is practised which is much slower than that in use in New Zealand. This system is adhered to on account of the Getting which is carried on. “Every shot is an event for betting,” said Mr Taylor, “and as the club charges each bookmaker £25 for the right to operate for the week, it receives a good return from about 20 bookmakers.” - Some excitement was caused ■in Rawene on Thursday morning (reports our special correspondent in Auckland) when a rumour' got about that there had been a big fight amongst the Natives at Whakarapa. Constable Duddy received several telephone calls for the police and a doctor, and he immediately got in touch with Dr Smith, who, in company with Constable Nehoff, proceeded to the scene of the trouble. As usual, a woman was at the bottom of it. One portion of the tribe wanted her to marry a certain Native, and the other another man, with the result that 'it ended in a tribal fight, no bones being broken. The doctor and the constable, who- have since returned to Rawene, reported that the affair had ‘ended in smoke.” They brought the woman back with* them to hospital.. She bad been somewhat bruised by the attentions of . her, rival lovers. According to the Native marriage custom it appears , a girl has to marry the mau whom the tribe chooses whether she loves him or not.. - ■

There were 13,334 births and 6469 deaths in the 14 urban areas of New Zealand in 1926 (reports our special correspondent at Wellington). The deaths from cancer during the year numbered 761 in the urban ■■areas.

A warm optimism concerning the future of the trade of Gieat Britain was expressed by Mr L. B. Beale, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, in an address, entitled “The Position of Great Britain in World Trade,” given to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. He declared (our special correspondent in Auckland reports) that Great Britain still led as the workshop of the world, that despite the effects of the war -and the coal strike last year her trade was increasing, and that past history has shown her to be capable of emerging triumphantly from every crisis. While digging in the back yard of a property at the corner of Bath street and Durham street, Christchurch, Mr A. Gregory, storekeeper, discovered an old skull on Wednesday evening. The skull is old and in a good state of preservation (reports oui special correspondent), but the teeth 'arc, missing. It is believed to be human, and the probabilities are that it has been buried for many years, as it is many years since the ground has been dug over. It is believed that tho skull was owned as a curiosity or was in the possession of a medical man prior to being buried.

— Shrimps to the value of £13,000 are sold on Sundays in London in the course •of a year.- >