AT THE TEA TABLE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11930, 25 October 1919, Page 5

AT THE TEA TABLE.

SOME TOPICAL TALKS. "So we have lost after all," said the Landlady , "and women are not to be allowed to sit in Parliament. You were right when you predicted that the Legislative Council would oppose the proposal." "AH is-not lost",' replied the Politician, 'the Council's resolution merely prevents women being appointed to that particular body, and leaves the Lower House free to do as it pleases so far as admission into it is concerned. They are quite willing that the House shall do as the Yankee advised with the medicine—that is 'try it on the dog." "Then," said the Critic, "if the elective members of Parliament really wish to see women qualified to sit in the House they will at once proceed with the necessary legislation."

"They don't wish to see womei* f-■■■■-;re," said the Cynic. "All they i.tjsire is to make n'omen electors believe that they >" e in earnest. The odds are a hunt, dd to one that they will discover tnat there is no time for it this session. But of course they will express grim determination to secure the privilege nest session."

"What's the good of working!" exclaimed the Youth. "Even the go-slow policy is too energetic. One section of employees have already secured a five dayß week. Why atop as that? Why not take six days' rest, and one day's labour? The Duuedin hatters are too moderate in their action." "It is rather curious to notice how great a proportion of the industrial community are born tired," said the Sage. "Until recently men took pride in what they could accomplish, but now the tendency is to vie with each other in striving to do as little as possible." "One result will be that yoa will have to pay more for your hats, and other things," said the Sage, "for it is certain that if one section of workers has to be maintained in idleness for even one day a week, someone must pay for it. People seem to forget that industries do not exist merely for the purpose of - ying wages. Their primary pr ie is to create wealth out of •• jte wages may be paid, and the v jes fund decreases in exact Ipropoit,ion to the difference between wages and the amount produced. '*

''l am glad indeed to see that the Kaiser is not to escape trial," said the Spinster, "and I hope the crimesagainst humanity will be sheeted home to him and the other members of the gang who caused such awful bloodshed, devastation, and misery." "Don't be bloodthirsty',' said the Sage, "try to remember that passion or revenge must not influence the sense of justice." * 'That is all very well from J => high moral plane," said the Crit .., "but it would be an object lessor to future generations if the authors of the late war were dealt with in the manner adopted bv Queen Tomyris when she conquered Cyrus, King: of Persia. Herodotus tells us that she ordered his severed head to be thrust into a skin full of human, blood so that he might be sated with what he had caused to be spilt in rivers. Cyrus was by no means so destructive of human life as those are who were responsible for the recent tremendous slaughter in which every possible means of destroying life were employed."

"I notice that accord iug to the opinion of an American authority thore is a possibility that the worid. mav soon be involved in mortal strife," said the Scribe. "The Shantung question seems likely to have a disturbing influence." "There may be something in thewarning given by the American," said the Sage , "but I doubt whether the Asiatics are ready yet to engage in a war of aggression. That it will come, Ido not doubt, however, and, it is therefore disquieting to "see an inclination by some to object to expenditure on defence and the training of our youth in martial knowledge. The clash may be long in coming, but it may come like a bolt from the blue. : '

"Talking of that colour," said the Spinster, "reminds me of the beautiful blue and white diamond reported to have been found the other day. What a lovely gem that will be for some woman to wear.'' "Whether it will make her beautiful is quite another question," growled the Cynic. 5, 1 have seen lovely jewels on ugly ill-kept hands, Don't forget, too, that another blue diamond known as th© 'Hope Diamond' is alleged to have brought disaster to every possessor." "It is absnrd," said the Sage, "to attribute to a stone the power oi' inflicting injury on its possessor. Itis only the superstitious who find cause in coincidence. There was aft once time a prejudice against the beautiful iridescent opal till Qaeen Victoria set to work to dispel it.'' "Do you remember Ella Wheeler Wilcox's poem on the opal?" asked the Poet,. ' 'Let rue give you an extract. She imagines it to be the result of the Sunbeam's amorous pursuit of the Moonbeam, and continues— " And the Sunbeam followed and found her And led her to love's own feast:

And they ware wed on that rocky bed, And the dying Day was sheir priest. And lo! the beautiful Opal— That rare and wondrous gem— Where the moon and son blend mto one, Is the child that was bora to them."

"That liquor control in the Oa lisle area," remarked the Politician* ' 'seems to tell agaiusi the Prohibitionists. "

"Why?" asked the Sago. ''ls has merely demonstrated that a huge profit can be made on the sale oi' liquor—a fact that no one ever doubted. What is really wanted it) a demonstration olhow the moderate user can continue to enjoy freedom without allowing others to over indulge their appetites." "Iff? a mixed question," said the Gynic, "and I believe that education in morala will give the only solution." A JAYE PENNE,