TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 22042, 15 June 1933, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

System or Otherwise. “The public good, just because it is public, cannot be effectively served by the independent, unco-ordinated action of isolated individuals, no matter how well disposed to it they may be. It can be effectively served only by the concerted action of the public,” writes Dr. L. P. Jacks, editor of the Hibbert Journal. “We misconceive the nature of the public good,” he continues, “when, we think of it as resulting from the accumulated actions of benevolent-ly-minded or public-spirited individuals, each working for it on his own lines. The public good is symphonic in its structure, and for that reason can never be brought into being merely by multiplying the numbers of the public-spirited and accumulating their good deeds. . . Among thoughtful people of to-day,” says Dr. Jacks in a subsequent passage, “there is no lack of willingness to accept the necessity of social planning, but there is an appalling lack of the social skill without which no plan that we can think of would have the remotest chance of v jrking successfully, and a deep hatred of the discipline which alone can produce the skill that is needed. Our ‘systems of education’ have been directed to another end. . . If a social system of any kind is to be established—a thing entirely-‘hovel in Western civ-ilization-education must lose no time in furnishing it with the social discipline appropriate to its working; on no other terms can it be worked. If, on the other hand, we are resentful of discipline, determined to pursue our way as ‘walking. Declarations of Independence,’ and too highly developed to walk otherwise, then we must abandon all hope of a social system and be content to live, as heretofore, in society.”

Age of Hurry Ending. The nineteenth century will go down to history as the period of human existence when everybody was in a hurry, writes the medical correspondent of the Times Trade and Engineer-

ing Supplement. Hurry, in these days, was included among the virtues, because it was looked upon as a means of saving time, and such protests as “the more hurry the less speed” merely emphasized the fact that speed was the object. All these years are full of slogans against sluggards and idle people, people who did not wish to go quickly and belonged, therefore, to the wholly unregenerate. If one .asked what all the hurry was about the answer was that a man’s life had been given him for the purpose of getting on, or getting there, or even just getting by itself. Everybody believed this and therefore everybody felt quite happy about it—except, of course, the sluggards who, most of them, had guilty consciences. But all this has now been changed. Hurry has reached such a point that its true character is revealed. Having learned how to travel at hundreds of miles an hour, we wish, many of us at any rate, to “stay put” in our gardens. Why bother to get 'n or get there when “there” is so tiresome a place that having arrived we desire only to leave again? And so the worship of hurry is growing cold. Men, and women, too, are be-, ginning to learn how to sit still and think. It is a good sign, even though one has to use spectacles, so far, to see it. For it means that the neurotic symptoms which have characterized the world during so many years will begin to pass away.

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following information: The depression which crossed the South Island during Tuesday night deepened somewhat in passing eastwards. Another anticyclone is advancing across the Tasman Sea. Winds southwesterly to southerly. Moderate mainly but strong at first in a few exposed positions. Seas in New Zealand waters rather rough about Cook and Foveaux Straits. Elsewhere smooth to moderate. In the eastern Tasman Sea moderate southwest winds. Moderate seas. Weather changeable at first with scattered showers mainly on the coast but soon becoming fair to fine again. Generally cold temperatures.

The results of the competitions run in connection with th? Winton dog trials on Monday and Tuesday were as follows: Dinner, Miss B. Andrews; cake, Mr F. Moore.

St, Andrew’s Sunday School Hall presented a gay appearance yesterday when the Balloon Fair was opened. A baby show in the afternoon and a cross-cut sawing competition in the evening provided considerable interest and entertainment. The fair concludes to-day.

Under the auspices of the Baptist Church Mr W. Dobie is to give a recital of organ music to-night in the Esk Street Baptist Church. A. programme of unusual interest is announced and included are vocal, ’cello and elocutionary items. The Rev. J. K. Archer (Christchurch) will preside. The recital is to commence punctually at 7.45.

A local dog fancier, Mrs S. D. Stewart, returned from Dunedin last evening, where she had been attending the Dunedin Fanciers’ Club’s annual show. She was again successful with her Irish setter Rita, who was awarded first in the limit class, first in the colonial bred and first in the open, also a special prize for the best opposite sex and a New Zealand Kennel Club’s challenge certificate.

“Thirty years ago the shores of the upper reaches of Lake Wakatipu were bush-clad,” said Mr W. A. Kennedy in a lecture on Queenstown and its surroundings, which he gave in Christchurch on Saturday evening. “Now there was a very little bush in a few parts only and this was the result of carelessness,” continued the speaker. “Many picnic parties visited, the lovely spots about the lake and failed to put their fires out before they left; the bush had gradually smouldered away, and it was a tragic thing to return to find it gone and to remember its beauty of 30 years ago.”

A treatise on the miracles wrought by Christ (St. Mark, Chap. 6) which formed the basis of the devotions given by Mrs Richards to open the meeting of the South branch of the W.C.T.U. on Tuesday afternoon in Grace street hall, fittingly harmonized with a tribute paid later to Sir Truby King by the speaker for the afternoon (Matron Warneke of the local Karitane Home) for his introduction of the Plunket Society. Matron Warneke also briefly sketched the work being done by those homes throughout the colonies and in foreign lands. During the afternoon Miss Sinion and Miss B. Walker contributed solos. A comprehensive vote of thanks was accorded the speaker, the soloists and the social committee.

The woman driver of a small car got a surprise in Christchurch on Friday night when she ran into a small boy at the intersection of Colombo and Hereford streets. The car was travelling slowly, and the boy was not hurt, but when she stopped within a foot or two of the scene of the collision she found the car surrounded by nine constables and two sergeants. The sudden police response was due to the fact that the collision occurred at the exact moment when the police were changing beats, and the night duty men were marching to the intersection when the accident occurred. The array of policemen rapidly attracted a large crowd. With so many men available the necessary details were collected in a few moments, and from the centre of the crowd the small boy appeared, being put on his way by a sergeant, who gave him a pat on the head.

The opening of the. Morton Mains Presbyterian Church takes place on June 21 at 7 p.m. The Rev. A. L. Millar, M.A., moderator of the Southland Presbytery, will conduct the dedicatory service. The preacher will be the Rev. George Budd, the superintendent of missions and ex-moderator of the General Assembly. The church seats a hundred people, and has a vestry and porch entrance. The site is' about 50 yards from the hall, and the building looks well against the belt of trees in the background. The interior is finished in rimu, the lower portion being panelled in a special wood from the North Island. The appearance is very pleasing. The Morton Mains congregation and community are to be congratulated on this successful termination to an effort carried on through many years. The architect, Mr W. A. McCaw, succeeded in planning a fine building, especially as regards the interior. The builder was Mr F. Jones, of Oteramika, and he has done very satisfactory work. A concert and supper will be given in the hall at the close of the service. The music is in the hands of the choir leader of First Church, who is taking out a party. Proceeds will go to the building fund. The building fund committee will ask for a special offering during the service to try to clear off the portion of £4O that, remains to be raised.

The fortnightly meeting of Court Queen of the South, A.0.F., was held in United Friendly Societies’ Hall. The C.R. presided over a large attendance of officers and members. The Woodwards reported that the sick were all progressing. One new candidate was initiated into the order. Court Queen decided to hold a dance the following month, the social committee to make the arrangements. To obtain £250 conditionally promised to the Riverton Plunket Society, it is necessary that the society augment its building fund, and in order to do this it is holding an old English Fair on Saturday afternoon. Dressed in fancy costumes, the committee ladies will sell produce from coster barrows on the. street. There will be races for children and. for mothers with gocarts, competitions, a mock court and finally a Dutch auction sale. Delicious Toffees and Candies always freshly made on the premises. See our bargains at Ayson’s two shops, 5 and 72 Dee street—Advt. SALE HELENE MILLINERY MAJESTIC CHAMBERS. SMART HATS 3/11.—Advt. £2OOO of over-stocked lines in Ladies’ Vests and Hose clearing at reduced prices at picks’, Ltd., Drapers, Dee street.—Advt. DEAF AIDS. Large numbers of new aids just to hand. Consultation daily at GEO. H. BROWN, Chemist-Optician, Dee street.—Advt. That swelling, stiffness and pain caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis joints will not worry you much longer if you take a course of Tavener’s Arthritis prescription. Hundreds of cases already helped, why not you? Full information from J. Tavener, Arthritis Specialist, High street, Christchurch.— Advt. Drawing to a close. Yes the last week of Carter’s Fire Sale. £lOOO stock damaged by smoke only. Final clearance of all smoked goods at sensational prices. For Bigger Bargains in Men’s and Boys’ Wear, Blankets, etc. Shop at Carter’s Fire Sale this week. Last week of Sale.—Advt. A Bargain Line of Maid’s Locknit Underskirts, in white and colours, only a few left at 3/6 at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee Street.—Advt. LOTS LOTS LOTS LOTS OF LOVELY KIDDIES’ ANNUAL VOLUMES AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES AT HYNDMAN’S SALE.—Advt.. Stocktaking Specials at Thomson and Beattie, Ltd. Among the specials offered this week are astrachan coats in brown and black only, neatly belted and silk lined throughout. These short coats are fitted with wide reveres, and are offered at the low price of 39/6. See them in the windows, together with a special line of tweed skirts, in checked flecked and striped patterns, priced at only 12/6 each.—Advt. DEAF AIDS. Auralaids, Auralease, and Magnification tubes obtainable from GEO. H. BROWN, Chemist-Optician, 125 Dee street, consultation daily.— Advt. LOOK! YOU FOOTBALLERS and HOCKEY PLAYERS. Just what you require. STRONG ELASTIC KNEE and ANKLE SUPPORTS. Only 4/6 Each. at STEWARTS PHARMACY, Corner Dee and Don Streets.—Advt. DEAF AIDS. We have a number of very satisfied customers using our instruments. Consultation daily at GEO. H. BROWN, Chemist-Optician, 125 Dee street.—Advt. ARE YOU WISE? TO THE BARGAINS OFFERING AT OUR GREAT DIAMOND JUBILEE SALE. Business is increasing daily with the realisation of the GREAT REDUCTIONS in BOOKS and STATIONERY. -N.Z. BOOK DEPOT, 49-51 Esk Street, Invercargill.—Advt. A SMALL LEAK WILL SINK A SHIP. And a slight influenza cold can quickly put you out of action. You cannot afford a spell in bed. Play safe. Pin your faith to Baxter’s Lung Preserver. “Baxter’s”—the rich warm, soothing compound is best for all coughs, influenza colds, sore throats, huskiness and chest troubles. It has valuable tonic properties too. Be prepared with “Baxter’s”. 4/6, 2/6 and 1/6 at all chemists and stores. —Advt.