TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 22202, 20 December 1933, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Other Worlds.

One cf the most significant conclusions of the present century was that, in the depths of space, there were millions of universes similar to ours, in each of which there might be a thousand and a million planetary systems, said the Bishop of Birmingham, Dr Barnes, in a lecture. Was it likely that our Earth was the only member of any planetary system on which intelligent life had appeared? It was surely beyond the "limits of probability that a cosmos so vast should have in it but one planet, otherwise in no way exceptional, on which life had appeared. Nature might be wasteful, but. that God had made a cosmos so vast and so meaningless passed belief. He postulated that, not as a supernatural act, but as the result of a Divine activity which continually created, the living emerged from lhe non-living when the cooling Earth was ready to support life. Material conditions on the cooling Earth must have been paralleled a vast number of times in the history of the Universe; and on each occasion we might assume that life had been created. There was, therefore, he thought, good reason to believe that, planets on which life had appeared were in the aggregate numerous, though they might be relatively sparse in any particular region of the cosmos. Many such planets must have been formed thousands of millions of years before our earth, and he judged that elsewhere the mental, moral, and spiritual attainment of living organisms must far surpass that reached on Earth by men. But he doubted whether we had any reason to assume that elsewhere there had normally been a process of physical development parallel to that of Earth. Quite possibly animal types which would appear to us strange and unpleasing carried the highest kinds of intelligence in distant worlds. If intelligent life existed and was progressive elsewhere in the Universe, there was no reason why contact with it should not untimably be made.

Japan’s Imperialism. “If pursued with continuing success along its present lines, Japan’s policy might ultimately develop into a grandiose imperialism which would be a menace to Asia and to the world,” writes Mr J. V. A. Mac Murray in the autumn Yale Review. “But there is the alternative danger to Japan that persistence in the Continental policy would, in some circumstances, bring about internal conditions which would bankrupt Japan and leave her, in the end, no longer one of the great Powers of the world. It is not beyond possibility, however, that Japan may yet come to modify the present course of extreme nationalism which seems to commit her to a gamble upon these perilous alternatives, and may find it to her own interest, to arrange with her two Asiatic neighbours a modus vivendi that would reconcile the rights and interests of the three Powers on such a basis as would minimize the occasions for grievance or for menacc to the security of any one of them. Such a settlement could, of course, be worked out by Japan only with the collaboration, in good faith and with good will, of China and of Russia. Only a settlement of that sort could be satisfactory or lasting. For no solution of the Manchurian problem could be imposed from without, even though it is possible that when time and changing circumstances afford opportunity, the good offices of other Powers might be helpful in facilitating and furthering an understanding.”

The name William Barnett appearing in the North School proficiency list yesterday should have been William Barrett.

The Dominion meteorologist last night issued the following information: An anti-cyclone covers the Tasman. Sea and New Zealand, but a depression is now forming over south-eastern Australia. Winds light to moderate and mainly southerly at first, but northerly prevailing to-morrow in and south of Cook Strait, later freshening. Seas in New Zealand waters smooth to moderate. In the eastern Tasman Sea light variable winds, tending northerly. In the southern portion seas smooth to moderate. Weather fair to fine generally. Temperatures becoming warmer.

The Post and Telegraph Department is circularizing local bodies with a suggestion that a public utilities committee be set up to co-ordinate activities involving street openings for any underground plant such as water, gas or sewer mains, electric cables, telephone ducts and also the erection of power poles.—Auckland Press Association message.

There is a serious shortage of farm labour in the Opotiki district, in the Auckland province, and farmers are finding it very difficult to carry on necessary work besides milking. Several milkers are urgently needed, but they are not available. A labour agent at Opotiki had five applications for labour in one day, but could not fill the positions. A few men have been passing through the district lately seeking work, it is reported, but they refuse to do milking, although farmers are offering up to 25/— and 30/— a week and found.

Even an epidemic in a big school has its humours. Mr R. J. Richards, headmaster of Christ’s College, caused much amusement at the prize-giving ceremony by his account of some of the sidelights of the outbreak of influenza which at the beginning of the third term resulted in the illness of some 100 boys and several masters. “There were, for instance, the house matrons bustling about like hens which had lost their chicks, and again, there were the groans of disappointment when some master, who was supposed to be sickening, would unexpectedly turn up for breakfast in the dining-hall.”

A plea of not guilty was entered by James Manukiri Clarke, aged 21, for whom Mr H. E. Russell appeared, when charged before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday with assaulting Ronald Double. DetectiveSergeant D. J. Hewitt, who prosecuted, said the trouble was part and parcel of a similar assault as a result of which a mate of Clarke’s had already been dealt with. Defendant in evidence denied that he had dragged the complainant into a right-of-way to fight the other man; in fact he had endeavoured to separate the two. “I have apparently been lenient with you once before and I am going to be lenient with you once again,” remarked his Worship to the defendant. “But if you come before me again, understand there will be no quarter for you. I will adjourn the case until March as a conviction may prejudice your entering the Navy as you desire. However, I advise you to leave liquor alone and to get out of Invercargill.”

“True education should not only be the fount of wisdom, but also the foe to vanity, self-sufficiency or intolerance,” said his Excellency (Lord Blcdisloe) to the boys of Wellington College at the breaking-up ceremony last week. “Education is a great outstanding privilege, and every privilege has its corresponding duty, especially if this privilege is conferred or enhanced by the State. If it breeds intellectual conceit, class segregation, or contempt for those less fortunately endowed, it fails in its purpose. Its main function in forming and ennobling human character is stultified and sterilized if it eventuates in a selfsatisfied individualist, a social Pharisee. It thus becomes a positive danger to the common weal, a cog in the wheels of communal progress and social evolution. Education should in any normal individual of well balanced judgment evoke and generate not intellectual or social monasticism, but broadminded, tolerant, humble, and thankful human sympathy.”

In this issue the Railway Department advertise the train arrangements for the Christmas holidays.—Advt. Christmas variety. Chocolate toys. Eskimo pie, ice cream, soda fountain drinks, toffees and candies etc., all at Ayson's two shops, 5 and 72 Dee street. —Advt. Cream Spun Silk Bloomers 1/6, Real Fuji Bloomers, double seamed garments 1/11; Pyjamas 7/11. Wicks’ Ltd., Cash Drapers, Dee street.—Advt. ORDER OF MERIT: 1— DEWAR’S WHISKY. 2— OTHER BRANDS. —Advt. An appreciated Christmas gift is Lavender Water. We stock only the best makes, from 1/- to 17/6 per bottle. G. I. Moffett, Chemist.—Advt. BATH SALTS as a gift are always appreciated. Those offered at BROWN’S, The Chemist, are exclusive but not expensive. BROWN’S PHARMACY, where the good Toilet gifts are. —Advt. Large selection of Christmas gifts. Real quality goods at very low prices at Carter’s Christmas Suit Sale. Initial handkerchiefs 1/-, anti-crease ties 2/6, fancy socks 1/6 and 2/6; men’s white canoe shirts 5/6. See Carter’s advertisement front page.—Advt.

Follow the old custom, give good gifts. The variety of dainty Toilet Articles at BROWN'S, The Chemist, is so great that a visit is well repaid. BROWN’S PHARMACY, where the good Toilet gifts are.—Advt.

THE USEFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT IS APPRECIATED.

You’ll earn the grateful thanks of your friends if you give them a Christmas Presentation tin of the famous Tiger Tea. This famous tea has been specially packed ir. attractively decorated 21b tins, obtainable at all grocers at th- usual price of 2/8 per lb. When empty, the tins are ideal containers for biscuits and cakes.—Advt.

Only three more shopping days before Christmas! This is net as bad as it sounds, for at Thomson and Beattie Ltd., a half hour visit is all that is necessary to select gifts for all your friends—men. women or children of any age. Novelties, apparel, hosiery, gloves, linen, travel goods, and a host of other useful, medium-priced gifts are tastefully displayed throughout the store, and efficient assistants await you with service and civility.—Advt. SHE KNEW. He: “I haven’t.” She: “You have.” He: “I have not.” She: “I say you have”—and then he sneezed. She: “There I told you, you are getting a cold, and what’s more you’re going to get busy right now with Baxter’s Lung Preserver. You don’t want that cold to keep on like the last one.” Insist on “Baxter’s”, 1/6, 2/6 and 4/6 everywhere.—Advt.

“Even peccadilloes of the past have become modem virtues,” remarked the headmaster of Mount Albert Grammar School, Mr F. W. Gamble, in the course of remarks on Friday night on the quality of the secondary school boys of to-day. What could one do, he asked, with the young fellow who “played the wag” for the genuine and proved excuse of looking for work? It was realized that, with a market full of boys of useful attainments, there was a demand for something more than book learning and physical ability. The boys had responded splendidly to the more direct and intensive work lhe school had given to what was called the personality side. Quite perceptibly there had come improved personal address, better mental and physical poise, easier conversational powers, and at the same time a loss of some of the mannerisms and gaucherie of youth. The value of such work had been proved in a practical manner over and over again. His only regret was that the stalling of a secondary school allowed too little room for what could be made a regular part of the syllabus.

Gifts for the wee tots: Pinafores, rompers, bonnets, bootees, bib feeders, sox, shoettes, silk jackets, silk suits, dresses, pitchers etc. at Miss Noble's, The Baby Shop, Dee street.—Advt.

Bits of broken glass in joints is how one Arthritis sufferer described his condition. Thanks to Taveners’ Arthritis Prescription he now states that he is completely cured, hasn’t an ache or pain. 5 weeks treatment 17/6 Tavener Chemist and Arthritis Specialist, 183 High St. Ch.Ch.—Advt.

EAU DE COLOGNE is just as popular as ever, and should always be on the list of gifts. Those at BROWN’S. The Chemist, are selected for quality. BROWN’S PHARMACY, 125 Dec St. where the good Toilet gifts are. IDEAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS. BOX BROWNIE CAMERAS. Better than toys for girls and boys. Give pleasure on Christmas morning and through all the days to come. AND LOOK at the NEW LOW PRICES! NO. 2 in black and colours, 10/9; NO. 2 PORTRAIT in black and colours, 11/6; NO. 2A in black and colours, 13/9. Stewart’s Pharmacy, corner Dee and Don streets.—Advt. Marvellous Discovery! Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis: In November last year, Canterbury lady (65) was carried into consulting room, completely crippled. After 5 bottles of Tavener’s Arthritis Prescription, she is able to work and walk as she has never done for years. 5 weeks treatment 17/6 Tavener, Chemist, 183 High St., Ch. Ch—- .

PERFUME and SOAP daintily packed for presentation purposes can be obtained at BROWN’S, The Chemist. These are all carefully selected from the finest products. Obtainable at BROWN’S PHARMACY, where the good Toilet gifts are.—Advt.