Touch and Go.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 45, 12 February 1898, Page 7

Touch and Go.

It is rarely that the retirement of a politician from public service evokes such a spontaneous outburst of regret as that of Sir Robert Stout. Active in the interests of the country, fearless in his advocacy of truth and right, relentless in the exposure of political chicanery, he has won the esteem of all whose esteem is worth having. Though not in agreement with him on some subjects, one cannot help feeling that he is thoroughly conscientious. He will be greatly missed. We could have better spared a better man—if we had one. If one could convey the genuine wishes of all generous minds it would be in one word —Don’t. # * * Mercury is sad. Sorrow, deep and true, is in his heart. A loss such as he never expected to bear has been intimated. From Ben Hevis he parted without a pang, Bass and Alsopp without a sigh. But there upon the ‘ chumbley piece,’ where he could ‘ put his lips to it when so dispoged ’ was his much-loved Stoat. From the frothy mouthings of the vapid crowd he turned to thee for perennial comfort. Thou hast never failed him in the day of gloom. And must we part ? Why recross the Rubicon ? Rome is in need of thee. Alas ! alas! “ I’ve met with many a breeze before, But never such a. blow.” * * * The N.Z.H.A.’s inaugural meeting has been held. An old friend remarked thereat upon the capacity of the young Hew Zealander to ‘ blow ’ about his country. He also said that the qualities which made him conspicuous had been transmitted from ‘ old identities.’ Whereupon my thoughts jingled as follows : AFTER HIAWATHA —(a long way). New Zealand Natives met together In the hall of the Theatre, Where they had a long palaver How best to conserve the country They had wrested from the Maori. Many words were wisely spoken ’Mid the haw haws of the chieftains And the solemn hush of Nature Listening to her noble children. Tip there rose a mighty warrior (TJted to writing, not to fighting In the battle sharp and bloody). Said it pained his heart to see so Many bravoes prone to bluster Of the land which they had wrested Prom the grasp of-the true Native. Also said it grieved him greatly That the younkers would disparage Al the old identities. Through whose efforts they had risen To the heights whereon they stood now. Said, too, that these same old greybeards Had transmitted to the rising Generation that had followed All the high commanding powers Which so clearly set them outlined From the rest of humankind. Then a smile stole softly over Features that were grim and stolid (For a Native loves a joko Dearly as he loves his pappoose), And they chuckled inwardly. With such evidence before them They could see with half an optic That the bravoes’ vice of bluster Came most certainly down to them From the old identities. Which, when chief of quill and paper Had observed most carefully, He retired from the palaver To more comfortable quarters With his lovely Minnehaha. * * * A writer in the Southland Times has been having a game of rounders over the tailors’ dispute. It is to be hoped he enjoyed it. The wielder of the quill waxed quite jocular over the tailors’ ‘ goose.’ Would they say * boo ’to him ? However, he seems to think that for every lad there should be a lass, and has no objection, seeing that both sexes were engaged sewing fig leaves in primitive times, to both being engaged in somewhat similar work now. For this extension of prerogative he is hereby thanked. But why not apply it all round ? Why should not women have equal rights and privileges with men in every department of business life for which they are fitted ? This is obvious to anyone who is not blind as a ‘ Bat.’ V

A Welliogtonian has had a thought! As it is the only one he ever had he hastened to give the general public the benefit of it. This was generous. He suggests that the price of bread should be fixed by Act of Parliament. Capital idea that ! If only it can be determined also how much we shall eat, how, when, and where we shall eat it, and that it be got for us to eat, the knot of Old Age Pensions- will be cut by the Wellington (bread) knife. Then we might cease to worry editors in general and the public in particular and proceed to making brickswith the paper. * * * A contemporary states that there is a fine lot of grass at Chaslands, and the settlers would be very glad to take in graziers—to take in the grass. Here is a grand opportunity for Boards, Committees, Councils and others to send long-eared obstructionists to grass for an indefinite period. It is to be hoped there will be a second exodus. Mercury.