TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 25303, 5 June 1935, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Two Worlds. Dr W. R. Inge, in an article entitled “Spectacles for All," says:—“No two people’s eyes are exactly alike, and no one person’s two eyes are exactly alike. And no one’s sight remains exactly the same for more than a few years. It therefore requires a great deal of skill to be an oculist or an optician. But we have the same trouble in our profession. No two people want exactly the same religion. No one in spiritual matters sees quite straight with both eyes. And no one, in his attitude toward the unseen world, remains exactly where he was 10 or 20 years ago. We all have to live in two worlds. We call them by many different names—the temporal and the eternal, the natural and the spiritual, the visible and the invisible, the world of facts and the world of values, or, sometimes,x borrowing our imagery from time and space, we talk of the present and the future, or of earth and heaven. We have to cross from one of these worlds to the other constantly, for we have a footing in both, and we need bridges to take us across the chasm which seems to separate them. Most of what we usually mean by religion—creeds and ritual and sacraments and codes of duties—are bridges of this kind. If they will bear our weight and take us across, that is what we want from them. A ‘true’ bridge is one that serves the purpose of a bridge.” Foreign Travel By Radio.

Those who cannot afford the time or the money for foreign travel have heretofore had to solace themselves with books or pictures. But the British Broadcasting Corporation hopes to provide its public with still another acceptable alternative and, with' this project in mind,. Mr Eric Maschwitz. the producer of plays at the 8.8. C., is starting on a journey to Budapest. It may be extended to Warsaw, Paris. Berlin and other capitals if his experiment of informal broadcasts from foreign cities proves a success. The idea, he explains, is to give something more intimate and challenging than an orchestra or choir or theatre company can give. “We want to reproduce the hum of the streets, the student life, the recreative hours, and all those everyday aspects of existence .which are the most human emanations of any race worthy of the name. I believe that with careful collaboration an Englishman, who is a quick-study, and a Hun-

garian, who is a well-informed and an open-minded patriot, can combine to give us something eminently satisfying and entertaining as well. Practically everything will depend upon the guide if the venture is to be the success we hope for; and if it is, then we may eventually make our way to Vienna, Prague, and so onward to almost any extent. Of course, the proposition is double-edged. We not only look for collaboration, but we trust our hosts — in a scientific sense, of course—will in their turn visit London to see what we have to show them, and let their people listen to British broadcasting on the up-to-date lines I have just described. But of necessity there is a great deal of organizing before we can be sure of our ground; and we do not propose to submit the first results until the late summer or early autumn ”

Germany And The Powers. Sir Austen Chamberlain in a lettci to The Times takes as his text a sentence in the leading artcle of the same journal, in which the writer says:--“There will be no settlement in Europe so long as Germany is on the side of the fence and the other leading countries on the other. And the approach to common ground cannot be expected to be made from one side alone.” How does the balance stand between Germany and the other countries at the present moment? Sir Austen Chamberlain asks. “On the day of the signature of the Treaty of Locarno tho evacuation of the Cologne area began and was rapidly completed, while the regime of occupation in the other zones was sensibly modified to meet the views of the German Government in spite of the fact that the precedent conditions had not been fulfilled by Germany. The next yeai- Germany was welcomed to the League of Nations as the equal of the other Great Powers with a permanent seat on the Council. The whole of the reparation clauses of the Treaty of Versailles have been abrogated by mutual consent, and the occupation of German territory has been brought to an end in advance of the period fixed by the treaty. So far the approach was all on one side. What has happened since? The British and French Governments, with the full approval of the Italian Government, made proposals for a regime of security in which a general limitation of armaments would become possible and would take the place of the unilateral disarmament of Germany and the other vanquished nations. There was here no erection of a fence between Germany and the other Great Powers, but a cordial invitation to take part as an equal in a round-table conference to assure the peace of Europe. What has been Herr Hitler’s reply? First, the unilateral denunciation of Part 5 of the treaty at the very moment when he was invited to remove it by agreement. Next, the refusal of any Eastern pact of mutual guarantee coupled with the express exclusion of Lithuania from any treaty of nonaggression. Thirdly, not indeed refusal in principal to discuss an agreement for non-interference in Austria, but the expression of grave doubts of its prac - ticability. So much for ■ the security. On the other side of the account figures the demand for an army of 550,000 men, a navy with 35 per cent, of British tonnage, and an air force equal to that of France or England. Finally, a refusal to return to the League of Nations unless the former German colonies are returned. Meanwhile every platform and pulpit in this country rings with denunciations of war and in every school and gathering in Germany war is glorified and the doctrine again preached that might is right.’

Last evening the Dominion Meteorologist issued the following information: An intense anti-cyclone is centred near Hobart and extends across the Tasman Sea and New Zealand, but a depression is now located to the north. Forecast: Winds easterly to south-easterly; light to moderate generally, and freshening about and north of Cook Strait. Seas in New Zealand waters rather rough north of East Cape; later, rising thence southwards to Kaikoura; elsewhere smooth to moderate. Eastern Tasman Sea: South-east winds, fresh to strong in the northern portion, with rathei’ rough seas; light to moderate in the southern portion, with smooth to moderate seas. Weather fair to fine in western districts of the South Island; elsewhere cloudy and overcast, with scattered showers or misty rain and some heavy falls likely in far north and north-east parts of the North Island. Temperatures cold.

B. F. Corrigan was fined £lOO at Wanganui yesterday morning on a charge of keeping a common gaming house.—Press Association message. •

John Elva Wilson, married, was committed for sentence to the Supreme Court on a charge of obtaining money by menace, states a Hokitika Press Association message.

Cycle thefts in Christchurch amount to 1000 yearly, of which about 800 are recovered by the police. This statement was made by Sub-Inspector McLean in the Court yesterday morning in a theft case, states a Christchurch Press Association message.

The need for shipping and insurance companies to provide bills of lading and policies on lighter paper when they were to be sent by air mail was advocated at a meeting of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce last week. It was decided to take up the matter with the companies.

An interesting coincidence is connected with the appointment of Mr G. F. Griffiths as Dominion president of the New Zealand Educational Institute. On only two previous occasions has the presidency been occupied by Southland teachers, namely, the late Mr W. H. Clark and the late Mr W. G. Mehaffey. The vice-presidency was once occupied by Miss H. Birss, of Invercargill. Each of these three teachers at the time of holding the office was on the staff of the Invercargill Middle School, and now Mr Griffiths, the newly-elected Dominion president, is headmaster of the same school.

“The Loans Board has resolved that it is prepared to consider the issue of its sanction for Monowai extensions at its next meeting if your board by that time has not obtained a reasonable quotation for a supply of surplus power,” is the text of a telegram from the Loans Board in reply to the following communication from the Southland Electric Power Board: “Regarding my board’s negotiations with the Public Works Department on the matter of the supply of power to supplement the board’s own output, my board has been unable to obtain a quotation. A meeting of the board resolved that the Loans Board be advised of this fact. The board feels that it is essential that it should be given a quotation or that authority to proceed with the extension of Monowai should be granted.” The board’s telegram was forwarded by the chairman, Mr W. Hinchey.

An event of interest to sheep breeders is a demonstration on Romney Marsh sheep which will be given by Mr A. E. Wheeler, official inspector of the Romney Marsh Breeders’ Association, in the Drill Hall this afternoon.

James William Bruce Miller, charged with issuing valueless cheques amounting to £75, pleaded guilty and was committed for a term of reformative detention, the period not exceeding two years, states a Wanganui Press Association message.

An exhibition of old Bibles and manuscripts is at present being conducted by the Otago Bible Society. These examples of the skill of the copyists and printers of many years ago have been secured by the British and Foreign Bible Society in New Zealand from Mr A. Clemas. The collection includes Bibles which were copied as long ago as the /thirteenth century. It also includes a series of Bibles produced by the early presses when printing was still a novelty and a book was so precious that its pages were bound in massive leather and guarded by steel clasps.

At last night’s meeting of the Management Committee of the Southland Women’s Hockey Association the chairman (Mr J. H. Holland) said that although local players were naturally disappointed that Miss Mary Mclntyre (one of the Southland Association’s nominees) had not been chosen tor the New Zealand team to tour Australia in July, it was gratifying to note that four Eastern Southlanders had been selected. On the motion of Miss R- M. Blackie, the secretary was instructed to ’convey congratulations to the Eastern Association on the fact that Mesdames H. Reid and A. O’Connor and Misses Alice McDonald and Margaret Sanson had gained their New Zealand caps.

That New Zealanders are unaware of their own prosperity is the opinion of an Englishwoman who is at present visiting Christchurch. She remarked that in a tour through the Dominion she had been entertained by people whose homes, cars, radios, and clothes all bespoke most comfortable circumstances. “Yet 1 do not think 1 have met a single New Zealander, man or woman, who has not grimly assured me that nobody has any money!” she said. “If it is indeed true that a great number of the people in this country are at present jiving on reduced incomes, then in normal times the inhabitants of the Dominion as a whole must have an extraordinarily high standard of living!”

“It may surprise the average person to learn that of the 61,000 picture theatres in the world, 32,000 are in Soviet Russia,” said Dr A. L. Lewis, formerly of Hollywood, who is visiting New Zealand on a search for talent for comedy productions in Australia, in an interview at Christchui’ch. “The Russians have used the cinema to a tremendous extent,” he said, “in the dissemination of propaganda and in satisfying the demand of the proletariat for amusement. Entertainment is one sure way of keeping people occupied.” Dr Lewis said that in New Zealand and Australia there were 1500 theatres, in Great Britain 5150, and in Canada and the United States together, 16,000. The number in Great Britain was increasing rapidly, one new , theatre being opened in London practically every day.

“The old Maori fishermen could tell by the feel of the bite just what kind of fish they had hooked,” said Mr H. Priestley at the meeting of the Hastings Historical Society last week. For instance, the most prized fish among the Maoris, the hapuku, hooked itself with a sharp downward pull, and once it was hooked it offered no resistance when being hauled in. When a wharehou was hooked, fingers were not sensitive enough to tell that it was on tire line, for its bait-taking was just a very gentle suction, which often could not be distinguished from the line being moved by currents. When fishing for wharehou the Maoris used to have a tin in which were round shot, and when these shot moved in a certain direction they knew that a wharehou was sucking at the bait. A sharp tug then hooked the fish, and once hooked, it was a fine fighting fish.

Work on the Ohinemutu sewerage scheme at Rotorua encountered difficulties when the temperature of the pumice, clay, and sand through which the men are working reached 150 degrees and boiling springs began to pour into the trench. A stream of cold water was played into the excavation, and when the hot water was reduced to a safe temperature the Maori workmen, wearing heavy gum boots, descended* and built dams round the boiling springs. Earthenware pipes in lengths, cemented together by a composition of sulphur and sand, were then placed quickly in position beneath the water. When the ground is very hot, the workmen stand on planks, and when the water threatens to rise too quickly pumps are used. Care must be taken not to interfere with the action of the boiling springs or steam vents. Interruption with their natural outlets or activities might lead to serious consequences, and it is a test of skill to lay the drainage pipes within 2ft of an eruptive hot spring without causing a disturbance that might lead to a blowout or other danger. The borough engineer states that only the Maori can cope with the hazards involved in the work and carry it forward with a minimum risk.

Ladies’ and children’s vests, knickers, pyjamas in cosy warm materials. See our window display. Wicks’ Ltd,, Cash Drapers, Invercargill and Gore.—Advt.

Ladies ave your winter coat, costume, day or evening frock made at MISS NOBLE’S, The ” by Shop, Dee Street. Your own material made up at 'reasonable prices.—Advt.

Newest Suits and Overcoats at big reductions at Carter’s Rebuilding Sale. All mikes of Blankets at Bargain prices. Stock has to go to make room for builders (Advt.)

Chiffon Finished Worrel Dyed fast pile Velveteen, 36 inches wide is selling at Thomson & Beattie for 5/11 Yard. This is the usual 7/6 quality and the colour range is as follows: Nigger, Malacca, Burgundy, Vintage, Cruise Blue, Cornflower, Empire, Evening Blue, Clear Pink, Flag Red, Dusty Green, Coral and Ivory. Send for samples if you cannot call.—Advt. When baby gets one ot those horrible coughs—see that the cough syrup you buy does not contain ’ morphine chloroform or alcohol Nyal—the best Baby Cough Syrup—does not. Brown’s Pharmacy. George H. Brown, Chemist. -Advt AFTER SHOPPING What a pleasure after a busy day’s shopping to sit down and sip a hot cup of Tiger Tea How it soothes and refreshes You can buy this full, rich, wholesome tea at any grocer's for 2/10 per lb. Order it to-day.—Advt Don’t let baby’s cough get a firm hold. “Nip it in the bud” by administering Nyal Baby Cough Syrup to the little patient. Nyal is the safest and best remedy for baby’s cough. George H. Brown, Chemist —Advt.

According to an English visitor to Christchurch, New Zealanders do not realize how misleading to untravelled British people is the term New Zealanders apply to their native forests. “In England one simply cannot associate the word ‘bush’ with anything big,” he remarked. “Yet nowhere on my travels have I seen more glorious forests than those which cover South Westland. I am told that they are rain-forests, but to me it seems that ‘jungle’ is the more expressive term, for some of them are as impenetrable as the jungles of Malaya. If New Zealanders wish to create more lively pictures of their beautiful country in the fninjls of oversea tourists, it is high time that they ceased speaking of ‘bush,’ fond of the term as they may be, and advertise their wooded country either as forest or as jungle.” NORTHERN MUSQUASH Coats are the finest and best wearing that you can buy. Therefore, they must be the best value. We have the finest range of Northern Musquash Coats in the city, at prices that are much below today’s wholesale prices, and we have no hesitation in advising the public to procure their requirements right away, as prices are advancing every sale* Insnection cordially invited. THE MUTUAL FUR COY., Manufacturing Furriers, Tay Street.—Advt. For WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY. Make sure of GOOD NEGATIVES by using only the better fiIms—SELOCHROME. VERICHROME OR ISOCHROMEthen make sure of GOOD PICTURES by leaving your films at STEWART'S PHARMACY for DEVELOPING and PRINTING.—Advt REWARD FOR PROMPT ACTION. In times of danger—when colds and influenza threaten—act promptly with Baxter’s Lung Preserver. Instant relief and absolute safety will be your reward. “Baxter’s” is quick, “Baxter’s" is safe, “Baxter’s” is certain. A wonderful friend in every home, “Baxteri’s" is best for old and young alike. That is because “Baxter’s” is a pure, safe and pleasant remedy best for all coughs colds, and chest complaints. 1/6, 2/6 and 4/6. Insist on Baxter’s. '—Advt.