AT THE TEA TABLE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12063, 27 May 1920, Page 5

AT THE TEA TABLE.

SOME TOPICAL TALKS. “There are people who still ling the delusion that we are living under law as passed b\ T oar legislators,” remarked the Critic, “but the error of this idea is exposed every day. It is not the elected and responsible Government chat rules ns, nor do the lawbreakers fear onr Courts, because they know that their machinery will remain inoperative so far as they ;are concerned. Any branch of the Labour Trust —even the most useless and injurious'—is far superior to the highest Court In the laud, while Government seem too timid and too craven to use the iron hand to protect the interests of the community. The latest exhibition of the Labour Trust’s use of its power to injure has been given by the Wellington watersidors, who have actually held up our shipping In any really free country this anogant action would be promptly punished and the impediments to commerce would be removed.”

“Don’t yon think they had some excuse?” said the Cynic. “They said, yon know, tnat the coal was dusty, and they may have been afraid of soiling their hands. I suppose manicure artists are kept on the wharves. If not it most be an oversight and the necessary regulation should be made in the new award. ’ ’

“I think,” said the Sage, “it is high time that onr Government took strong action to show that this wanton disturbance of the affairs of the producing and trading community will no longer be tolerated. lam still of opinion that all who unitedly attack the common interests should bo outlawed and disfranchise'!. They are enemies of society, and should not expect to share in its benefits and privileges if they set themselves against it. Neither foreign enemies nor local bandits conld do worse than blockade onr ports, yet this is exactly what these watersiders do. ” “Perhaps,” said the Cynic, “they are striving to emulate their fellows in Australia who are . emanding double, pay. I notice too that a pliable politician has yielded to their demand. Sorely when a man is entrusted with the task of guarding the interests of the people he should absolutely refuse to obey the commands of any irresponsible section and that politician must be absolutely spineless. It is really shocking to notice how those in office are allowing the liberties of the people to be assailed by factions of the 1 zy. Balers who neglect to do their duty are merely encouraging progre s towards anarchy.” “The Dunedin Jockey Club,” said the Sport, “have sent me a pamphlet In which they set down some arguments in favour of a seven stone minimum. ”

“What on earth ia that!” exclaimed the Landlady. ‘‘l know that Ruskin wrote about the ‘Seven Lamps of Architecture’ and the ‘Stones of Venice,’ but what is this -—a jewelled ring, a measure, or what. ?”

“It’s a weight,” replied the Sport. “The argument is that the minimum weight in handicap flat races should be altered to 7st instead of 6st 71b as at present. The reasons advanced are that the racing men can’t get capable jockeys of such light weight, and if they could, it is not desirable trom a humanitarian, eugenic or educational point of view that their number should increase, also that it would have beneficial effect on the breed of utility horses.” “The subject seems to be of Em-pire-shaking importance,” said the Oynio. “Still I agree that the whole country might be benefited if the racing people no longer relied on mannikins to ride mere sprinters. Dwarf men are not likely to improve our race, and horses bred.merely to gallop short distances swiftly are surely not calculated to improve the breed of really useful animals. For after all the prime use of the animal is for its services to man. It seems to me that the Dunedin Club do not go far enough. They should make the minimum 9st and the races over much longer distances, in which case the Racing Conference might more Justly claim that racing improves the breed of horses and does not in jure the stamina of men.” “Some of our legislation,” remarked the Critic, “shows a great amount of hypocrisy. For instance we have enacted that no Asiatic shall be allowed to land on our sacred shores unless he can pass an education test. This is our way of ensuring the exclusion of large numbers of Asiatics because certain sections fear their competition. They are too hard working and thrifty in comparison with the goslows and spendthrifts. Fdon’t like the Asiatics and would prefer to see them remain in their own lands, but why are we not honest? Why do we pretend that we are anxious that they shall be able to read and write? We don’t care a rap for their education, nor do they come here to be educated. Why not be bold and exclude them altogether?” “Toe ’,cid be badly off for fruit and ve.-y n<s if yon did,” remarked She Lancia y. “The Ciunkio may have qualities we don’t approve of, but he can certainly supply us with some things better than most others oan. I should, however, prefer to see him confined to the big cities. ” “Carranza came to a miserable end,” remarked the Critic. “He has supplied another instance of the dangers attendant on holding high position. Hhs assassins seem ro have otto a cowardly set of ruffians, but the average Greaser belongs to that class. ”

“Herrara's allegation that he oramifeted suicide, though the account of his death says he was shot with many bullets, reminds me,’ - said the Oynio, “of the story of the Dutch burgomaster who was trying a man on a charge of biting off another Dutchman’s nose, and when the accused pleaded that the man had bitten off his own nose, be dismissed the accused, and remarked “All things are possible mitt Gott!” “The motor cars are getting ready to play their part in the w’ork of evolution,’ 1 remarked the Critic. “When it was once suggested that motor cars should be among the entries at Agricultural and Pastoral Snows, soma one who did not realise the progressive nature, of our age wanted to know whether it was thought that this wonhf tend to improve the bread of automobiles, A Wanganui tasi driver, however, seems to possess a car that has been stirred by a spirit of emulation to rival the performances of an .aero-„

we shall soon hud machines developing minds of tlxeir own and Mary Shelley’s idea of Frankenstein will become realised. ” “When I read the story of the sensational incident, 1 ’ said the Cynic, “I felt hat it is true, indeed, that the age miracles has not yet passed away. ’ ! A JAYE PEYNE.