AT THE TEA TABLE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12082, 19 June 1920, Page 5

AT THE TEA TABLE.

SOME TOPICAL TALKS.

""What a splendid advertisement? our fiozeu lamb has received in America!" exclaimed the Landlady. "Evidently we didn't know how well «vs have been served in this respect. The praise seamed to me to be alinosS excessive." "Of course oui meat is She best iu the world." said tht> Critic. "Indeed it. must be, because- for a long time we have been breeding specially for the London market, where only the best has a ohuuae iu the competition, aud our splondid climate and rich pastures contribute to make our product ot superior quality. lam glad, indeed, to see that a new and profitable market has been opened up in America. The glut in the London stores has been a boon, atfer all, through forcing our producers to find new oui lets " "All is not gold that glitters, as the proverb says," remarked the Cynic. "I have got into the habit of reading between the lines when I notice anything unusual and try to discover the canse wheu there is such a sudden outburst of laudation as that made by the Globe newßpaper, incidentally for advertising purposes." "But tho American people got better aud cheaper meat," said the Landlady, "ho whv should they not rejoice over tiie fact?" "Didn't the connection of Armour's name in the reference to it strike you. as having some significance?" asked the Cynic.

"Surely, however," said the Critic, '"'the sale of our lamb in America was not beneficial to the interests of Armours or any other meat packer?" "Was it not?"*asked the Cynic. "Have you thought wlia; must tie ths effect of booming our meat in the American market on the interests of the American meat grower and also on the Argentine product? The meat packers are buyers, you know, and it our meat oomes into competition with the Asj-eriuan grown, what is likely to be the effect on the price of the America farmer's stock? Do you imagine that it will cause a rise in his market?" "Possibly there are wheels, within wheels," said tie Critic, "still, the fact remains that in the meantime our meat finds a ready market at a paying price, and we are therefore so much to the good."

"I quite agree as to the beneficial effect on us," sail the Cynic, "but I doubt the permanency of the trade. The boom will no doubt be maintained till it has served its purpose and the American farmer has been compelled to accept a lower price for his stock." "Our Ambassador to the United States did some nervica the other clay," remarked the Critic, "when he emphasised the desirability of fiee interchange of thought and a frank understanding between the English-speaking peoples. The ideal of unity of the Anglo-Saxon peoples is a high one •■am mesh desirable in the nest interests of the whole world, for it has always been ranged on the side of civilisation and battled for freedom- Even the unfortunate struggle that cost us the American oolouieH of those days was due to the intense desire of that section of the rare for conrp'.'.re freedom. Union between the i-idtish Empire and the United States would be a much better safeguard of the peace of iivi world than the League of Kationa, composed of various, racea likely rather to quarrel with eacli other than to promote peace. lam rather glad to see that the League is already coming to be discredited, because if it goes, and trouble arises in the East then America and Britain may be forced into each other's arms." "Possibly after the elections we shall find American politicians viewing Britain more favourably," said the Cynic, "but I am not enamoured of American methods, either in trade or in the attempt to Americanise our people in the Pacific. We are imbibing far too man3' Yankee notions that are likely to weaken some of our oldest and best traditions. "

"What a striking contrast there is between the Labour orator in hia native habitat, yelling threats to the 'bloated Capitalist,' and the same individual trying to 'touch' the Capitalists for a loan!" said the Critic. "Queensland, with its Lords of Labour driving it to financial destruction, haß been -threatening Capital till the holders of that very sensitive commoiity have begun to feel insecure. That country is sorely in need of cash—indeed if Theodore can't get it, he and his colleagues will hud their own supporters rending them, so he is now offering to modify the recent Queensland legislation." "The Capitalists are not likely to be deceived the changed attitude," said the Cynic. "They will naturally expect better guarantees before they loosen the purse strings, but how can they rely on any guarantees given by people who have openly advocated repudiation fc of debts? Obviously their notes would be merely scraps of paper." "I have been anxiously waiting to know what the gashing cableman has to say about oar new Governor," said the Critic. "He gave as a long screed about Australia's sporting head, but so far he has been silent in regaxd to Lord Jellicoe." "Perhaps," said the Cynic, "that is because our new Governor has some real qualifications for the office, and his reputation will not be based on skill in ping pong or ability to play the , pianola. When Lord Jellicoe comes I am sure ho will soon ba in evidence, for. there is liitle doubt that one reason for his appointment is the desire of Britain to perfects system of Imperial naval del'eflce." A JAYE PENNJS.