AT THE TEA TABLE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12014, 17 March 1920, Page 5

AT THE TEA TABLE.

SOME TOPICAL TALKS. “Though bloodless in its beginning it seems that the revolt in Germany is going to cost many lives,” remarked the Critic. “The removal of the Kaiser enabled the Socialists to get access to arms, and as every German :has had military training the military class, will not find it easy to regain command over the people.” “You forget,” said the Sage, “that the German people have never yet enjoyed liberty, as we understand it. They aie accustomed to be ruled with an iron band, and their habits of discipline still shackle them. There is opportunity now in the Fatherland for the advancement of a really strong man of the ruling class, especially if he has been a popular military leader, such as Hindenburg. In my opinion the revolution in Germany has been caused not so much by desire to restore the Hohenzollerns, as by the anxiety of the aristocratic military class to safeguard their privileges, which were threatened by the Socialistic Government,” “The Allies were foolish to leave the Germans with any military power,” said the Cynic. “All the talk about using the army to protect the country against the Bolsheviks was the merest moonshine. All the time preparations have been going onto make Germany onoe again a danger to the peace §f Europe. Whatever may be the outcome of the present turmoil the Allies should seize the occasion to demonstrate the power of a united civilised world, and compel Germany to do as they desire. The Germans are continually spying and plotting ta create unrest and disorder. ” “I don’t like Lloyd George’s latest move,” said the Politician. “He has been a strong man, and has dope splendid service to the Empire, hut he will discount Its value very considerably if he panders to the Labour section which aims at gaining political control.” ‘■‘He is not pandering to Labour,” said the Sage. “On the contrary did you not notice that the other day a Labour leader warned the.. Trade Congress against direct action, pointing out that a strike would be followed at once by an appeal to the electors, who would then be united against the striking sections of Labour. ”

“That,” said the Politician, “does not imply that the British Premier would not he inclined to favour the Eabonr Unions, who are strong, whose numbers are increasing and whose power is increased bj' their federation. 1 must confess that I have seen enough to induce me to place little reliance on politicians. Their capacity for turning is unrivalled by anything else, end, if they know their business they can sometimes persuade a majority that a corkscrew course is a straight oue. There have been men in office in Britain whose life has been series of political eomersanlts. Even in our country we have had some specimens. ”

“I am glad to see Chat it is pro posed in Britain to tax bachelorsmore than married men,” said the Spinster. “The men who take larger responsibilities on themselves should be relieved as much as possible.” “But why should bachelors be specially taxed?” asked the Cynic. “Does the State give them more service than it does others? And if not then by what plea do you defend special taxation? It may be indeed that the bachelor has greater responsibilities than the married man. For instance while a childless married man maybe living on his wife’s fortune, the bachelor may have to support a widowed mother, an invalid sister, or other dependents. Then again, there may be physical or other reasons why ha refrains from marriage. He may even be n ‘conscientious objector’ so far as matrimony is concerned.” “Then he cannnot be quite in his right mind,” said the Spinster. “That alone should be a bar to his marriage,” retprted the Cynic. ‘“But what about your own sex? I notice that the French, who are supposed to be a chivalrous people, # suggest that single women as well as single men, should be specially taxed. It seems to me that if the idea is pushed much further, tnere may be conscription of both sexes for marriage, as there was of men for war. Some who have had experience declare that there is no great difference between the two. If the idea is to promote unionism of the kyid that is really productive, how would it ho to adopt the old Babylonian custom and establish a marriage market, which would ensure universal matrimony?” “The surest way to encourage matrimony,” said the Sage, “is to reduce the cost of living to a reasonable amount. The statistics of Britain have shown for many years past that the marriage rate bears a distinct relation to the price of corn.”

“It is just possible too,” said the Cynic, “that reduction in tho cost of living might have a beneficial effect on some other rates.”

“There are not many people who would refuse the gift of £50,000,” remarked the Critic, “but I noticed that a Roman Catholic Archbishop did that the other day, and declared that he hoped"to die penniless.” “That seems something like the true spirit of self-denial that prompts to service of one’s fellowmen, ” said the Sage. VI can admire unselfishness, whatever the faithf of its possessor may be. Singularly enough at almostthe same time an Anglican Bishop also renounced riches and abandoned his See for a life of poverty. What a contrast both of these are to the money grubbers who, like Buuyan’s ‘man with the muck rake’ are ever gathering up dross * and neglecting the work of laying up treasures in Heaven.” “Go and talk to a Trust magnate in that strain,” said the Cynic, “and listen to what he will say. He may admire, but he will certainly not emulate. ” ‘“lt will be interesting,” Critic, “to note the result of the action of the Sydney Master Builders against the shrikers who refuse to work on Saturdays.” “You can’t compel a man to work,” said the Cynic, “but you can prevent him robbing you., If the bricklayers will not work on Saturday then their wages should be regulated accordingly. Indeed, this ought to be doner in regard ■to all worklessjdays where the original or increased wage was based on a certain number of hours. That it is not done is one reason why everybody has to pay more for the results of iwork.” A JAYE PENNE.