AT THE TEA TABLE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12017, 20 March 1920, Page 5

AT THE TEA TABLE.

ROME TOPICAL TALKS. “Sir Auckland Geddes is a diplomatic man,” remarked|the Critic. “As be is about to go to America as our Ambassador, he has wisely prepared for a cordial reception by deploring attacks made by the press on both sides of the Atlantic, and pleading for improved relations. 1 think that if any trouble does arise between the two countries, it will not be because of lack of tact on the part of the British representative.” “Most of the hostile feeling is on the Yankee side,” said the Scribe. “For generations the children have been taught to rejoice ever tbo Declaration of independence and to mouthe Philip Henry’s exclamation ‘Give me Liberty or give me Death!’ There are also the hostile German and Sinn Fein elements influencing the American attitude towards Britain. ” “That British Statesmen do not regard America with any other than friendly feeling,” said the Sage, “was shown by the Hon W H Long, in his admirable reference to the fact that tbo British and American navies are always likely to co-operate to preserve the peace of the world, and the growth of America’s sea power is not regarded w<ith suspicion by Britain.” * ‘lt was rather amusing, ” said the Cynic, ‘“to notice that Yankee Senator’s new compromise on the Peace Treaty which proposed that if the peace and freedom of Europe were threatened—well, America might permit herself to regard it with grave concern, and consider, you know, whether she really would take any action. That was what she did all through the late war, and while she was considering, thousands of our best and bravest were dying, whoso fate might have been changed had she done her duty.”

“It makes yon careful!” said the Politician, “when you see how easily you may lose an election after 4 winning it. At Stratford the first past the post has been declared., a loser, and _in the meantime no one has got “Oar legislators have hedged elec- ■ tions with all sorts of diffimlties,” said the Critic. “Knowing their own weaknesses they have tried to make it impossible for the people to do anything but vote for tbem. At one time they even wanted to prohibit discussion of the merits of a candidate.” “Well,” said the Sage, “Mr Masters does not happen to be on my side in politics, bat I am glad to see that he was not adjudged guilty of any wrong intention, and he is not disqualified. In my opinion if he stands again he will be more difficult to defeat, for he is bound to receive some sympathy for losing after winning. ” “On the other hand,” said the Politician, “there will be some who will now vote for the late Minister because they will prefer to be represented by 4 a member of the Government. At the time the election took place it was not so absolutely certain that Mr Massey would have majority.” “It is just possible.” said the Cynic, ‘ ‘that in the coming election a new man may beat both,”

“In spite of the increased cost of living, ” said the Scribe, “there seems to be plenty of money in England for speculative purposes.” * ‘You should rather say ‘because of the Increased cost of living,” said tho Gritic. “While the war was * wasting the people, the few were gathering riches together, and now these are assisting all sorts of schemes to make their Shylockewes breed more rapidly.. In the end of course the public will pay for that company mongering in Which massed millions are being utilised. The movement is not a sign of enterprise nor will it tend to lessen the difficulty of living to those who have to work. Already it threatens to make money dearer*and so check its use in productive development and beneficial

“It is curious what a number of quack remedies are being propounded for reducing the cost of living, ” said the Scribe. “In Australia some think it cau be effected by letting the municipal councils become traders and insurers, and in Wellington the Labour Party thinkf a municipal bakery ftill do it.” / , “Yet almost everyday,” said the Critic, “yon find fresh proof of the evil effect of municipal dr Government interference 7 with trade or industry. Why is it that even when facts smite the theorists with almost sledge hammer force they still cling to their erroneous fancies.?” “On the same principle, ” said the Cynic, “as that of the man who pleaded ‘lt’s a poor child, but it’s my own!” “I noticed, by the way,” said the Sage, “that the British bankers violently oppose a lew on war wealth. ” “Quito naturally,” said th« Cynic. “They are the custodians of the wealth, and why should they tamely allow tbo tax-gatherer to lay sacriiigeous hands on the ark. The priests of Mammon may always be trusted to protect his shrine ” A JAYE PENNE.