TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21581, 19 December 1931, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

“Many people here and abroad of the extreme Socialist kind are rubbing their hands with glee at our discomforts and will try to persuade themselves that these are the result of what they call the capitalist system,” said the Spectator recently. “During and after the war the same kind of unreasonable people attributed the war to diplomacy, which is now established more actively than ever. For 50 years diplomacy had day by day staved off the war in Europe and had checked the ever-present militarist, the hot-headed or coldly-covetous politician who would willingly have made 50 wars. In 1914 the militarists of Central Europe violently thrust aside the diplomats and made war. Was diplomacy to blame?

Today’s troubles are not due to the capitalist system, which brought us, with all its faults, material wealth and prosperity, but to the steady attacks upon it. The advance of unsound finance along Socialistic lines has warned those who saw most clearly what the end must be. We have flouted inexorable economic laws; the punishment may follow slowly with halting foot, but it strikes inevitably.”

A lighthouse has been erected at Scarborough on the site of one wrecked during the war. Referring to the formal opening of the new structure, the Liverpool Post said:—“Whenever we look at a lighthouse, we see a symbol of mutual aid and of man’s compromise with the elements as well as an apparition of romance and magic. We sec also a symbol of heroic patience and endurance. How patient the builders have been may be gathered from the number of years it took to erect, say, the four Eddystone lighthouses, of which three perished, swept into the sea, burnt, or eaten away from beneath. How heroic they have been may be gathered from the history of lighthouse building off the Massachusetts coast, in America, where the tides allowed only 30 hous of work in the first year and only 157 in the second year. Knowing all that a lighthouse signifies, there is only one thing more moving than to hail across the dark eternal waters that brave signal of never-resting, all-revealing light, only one thing more moving than the thought of the lonely lives of the light-house-keepers ; and that is to catch sight of such a beacon from a high summit afar off, and then, with a little shock of surprise, to perceive that away to the right or the left another is shining from another coast, another country. Then does the phenomenon of the lighthouse represent something more than social and personal virtue; it is a symbol of truth itself, piercing the night of the spirit with a flashing message about the grandness of unity.”

The Dominion meteorologist last night issued the following information: Shallow depressions still cover Now Zealand and the greater part of the Tasman Sea. Winds moderate and variable mainly between northeasterly and south easterly. Seas in New Zealand waters moderate. In the eastern Tasman Sea moderate northeasterly winds in the northern portion and southeasterly in the southern portion. Seas moderate. Weather warm and humid with much cloud and at times fog. Scattered rainfall still likely and thunder in places.

The express last evening brought back quite a number of Southlanders from northern boarding schools.

The bridge over the estuary at Tweed street and Stead street, which has been closed during repairs, is open for traffic again, though it may be necessary to restrict traffic for an hour to-day for a few finishing touches.

In the City Police Court yesterday morning before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., James Ryan, alias Leonard Sjnith, r — ,'i 21 years, a native of Tasmania, who had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of being idle and disorderly at Bluff on December 9, appeared for sentence. The probation officer (Mr C. G. L. Pollok) said that a report obtained from the probation officer at Christchurch, where accused’s people were now living, did not recommend probation. The Magistrate convicted Ryan and sentenced him to reformative detention in the Borstal for a period of two years.

Breaking and entering the shop of H. M. McGirr, in Cuba street, and stealing goods valued at £lO 8/6, theft from the Te Aro Post Office of 220 letters, and attempted theft of money and stamps of the total value of £2, the property of the Post-master-General, were charges upon which Harry Balfour Burden, a youth of good education and appearance, came before Mr Justice Blair in the Supreme Court for sentence yesterday. After hearing counsel, his Honour deferred sentence until the morning to enable him to give further thought to the case. In granting probation for four years, his Honour said the prisoner was liable to be brought up again on the original charges if his conduct was such as to show he was not deserving of leniency. He understood that employment would be found for the prisoner, and advised him to do his very best to show that he was worthy of the lenient treatment he had received. An order was made for the restitution of the stolen property and for the payment of costs of the prosecution (£1 16/-). —Wellington Press Association telegram.

Gifts for the children: Handkerchiefs, Sox, Garters, Pinafores, Beach hats, Play apron and Bonnet sets, Frocks etc. at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street.—Advt.

You must save —because every article is reduced at Wicks’ Drapers, Big Alteration of Premises Sale.- —Advt.

There’s quality and flavour in it, This Ham of Hitchon Brothers, Their Bacon has a savour in it That isn’t found in others.

Gift Suggestions: Initial Handkerchiefs 1/-; Parisian Ties 2/6; Mazon Shirts 9/6; Fancy Socks 2/6; Boys’ Shirts 1/11; Boys' Hose, all sizes 2/6. Also Big Reductions off all Men’s and Boys’ Suits at Carter’s 'Xmas Suit Sale. (Advt.)

Fifty dozen ladies’ Dulesco Silk Hose to be sacrificed at less than half cost price. This is a golden opportunity to buy your summer requirements. We have decided* to sell all our hosiery stocks regardless ol cost and offer the ladies of Southland this quality hose at the low price of 2/9 a pair. AU dark shades are fashionable, we have them. THE MUTUAL FUR CO., Tay street. —Advt.

Dear Father Christmas, —It is nice of you to send me Toys nearly every Christinas but this time I would like BOOKS such as “Tiger Tims Annual” (8/-, Sale Price 7/3) ; “Schoolgirls’ Annual” (8/-, Sale Price 7/3); “Chums” (16/6, Sale Price 14/11) ; “Girls Own Annual” (back issue, Sale Price 10/-); “Flying Carpet” (Fairy Tale Annual 8/- ; Sale Price 3/6); “Green Book for Boys’’ (4/6, Sale Price 2/6); “The Doctor Dolittle Books” (7/6, Sale Price 6/-); “Chatterbox” (7/-, Sale Price 5/6). Be sure to get them from the N.Z. BOOK DEPOT LTD., Mum says they are having a SALE THIS MONTH. Love from Mary.—Advt.

Where variety and value go hand in hand—is at BROWN’S, The Chemist. We have the finest selection of Cameras for presentation purposes. We are always the earliest with the latest, models and our prices are the lowest for the best quality goods. We have not the right to succeed unless we are of real service to our customers, and in purchasing a camera from BROWN’S The Chemist, you get the service of a real camera expert who shows you how to use it, giving you a practical demonstration if requested. Call, and see our selection before purchasing elsewhere. Our stock is so great that we are sure we can please you. GEORGE H. BROWN, Chemist-Optician, 125 Dee St., where the good Camera Gifts are. —Advt.

If you ask for and get Dewar’s Whisky, you will know you are being supplied with the best procurable. It is now pre-war strength, and consequently greater value on account of the greater spirit content. The quality is unequalled. The sales prove it to be the most popular of popular brands. —Advt.

You’ll find buying for men isn’t such a difficult job after all if you bring your Gift problems to the “man’s shop.’’ Solving gift problems here is a real pleasure the stock is big, prices are low and happy assistants offer helpful suggestions cheerfully.—Thomson, Beattie Ltd.—Advt. The best gift of all A CAMERA FOR XMAS. GIVES LASTING PLEASURE; MAKES A HOLIDAY WORTH WHILE. Stewart’s have cameras from 7/6 upwards and every camera stocked is guaranteed reliable. Select your model now from STEWARTS PHARMACY, Dee street.— Advt. MISSING A GOOD JOKE. Many a good joke has failed to “go over” at the Talkies—because of someone coughing. Coughing at the theatre is like static on a radio, except that it can be cured. A dose or two of “Baxter's” will end a cough by removing the cause of irritation in throat or chest. “Baxter’s” has fixed millions of coughs and cold over sixty years. It will fix yours. Get a bottle today; 1/6., 2/6. and 4/6. at all chemists and stores. —Advt.