TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 25307, 10 June 1935, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

To The New Generation.

“We are always being told that the generation to which I belong has not made such a success of things as to render its advice particularly valuable to the next generation. Be that as it may, I want to look a little forward with you,” said Lord Meston, Chancellor of Aberdeen University, in an address to the students. It is a restless and in some ways a topsy-turvy world at the moment; and when we ask what is wrong with it our philosophers, historians and moralists all unite in giving one over-riding cause—that man’s control over Nature has outrun his capacity for controlling himself. In other words, there seems to be d general belief that material progress has got ahead of social aftd spiritual development. In this belief there is considerable truth, but are we going to sit down and accept it as a permanent description of human relations? If there is this maladjustment between their physical and their moral powers, the task of redressing it will rest upon you, and can any task be finer? For whatever failures can be laid at the door of the outgoing generation there are, to my mind, two main reasons: One has been the inability to face truth; the other has been a devotion to what is euphemistically called ‘enlightened self-interest.’ If you of the incoming generation can remedy these two failings, you will have done much to put the world straight. Let us apply in the moral world the same severe tests of truth as are obligatory in the scientific world and sweep away some of the endless conventions, superstitions and prejudices which dim our vision. If you do that on the one hand and on the other be constantly on the watch for opportunities of serving your fellowmen; then in time all your problems—social, national and international —will yield to you their secrets.”

Education and Snobbery. “Hitherto public policy in education —when we have had one —has been the conscious policy of adjusting the next generation to the needs of the present,” said Mr J. W. H. Brown, president of the British National Union of Teachers, in a recent address. ‘‘But surely it should be concerned rather with giving each new generation ‘the ability to face new issues in new ways.’ If we really desire to educate for a true democracy, this must be recognized. In other ways, too, there must be a change of heart as well as of policy. The idea that children of different social classes must be educated in different types of school perpetuates caste and renders democracy unattainable. It is mostly sheer snobbery. You cannot produce a democracy by an education based on class prejudice and fostering class distinction. We must get rid of the idea that there is something _ superior about a literary education. It is merely one type of education; fitting those likely to benefit by it for certain occupations in which presumably they can best serve the common good, but definitely inferior as fitting them for other equally useful occupations. In a true democracy the man who ploughs, or forges, or builds would be regarded as serving the community equally with the doctor, the secretary, or the administrator. Therefore, the kind of education which gives skill and artistry in ordinary avocations should not be regarded as inferior to that, fitting people for work not done with the hands.”

Germany and the Treaty. The formal rebuke recently administered to Germany by the League of Nations for her breach of the Versailles Treaty by rearming was the subject of a notable leading article in The Times, which pointed out that Germany had violated a “dictated” treaty—entirely different in nature to a treaty signed by agreement—and one which she signed only under protest. The Times added: It is regrettable that ho allowance- should have been made by a body like the League Council for the special circumstances in which Germany incurred her obligations. It would have enhanced the reputation of the League for impartiality if one voice at least had been raised to recall the manner in which this particular Treaty had been imposed. Germany signed.it literally at the point of the bayonet. At the time of her signature hex- representatives made explicit protests that they would be unable to carry out all of its provisions. The first chief of the German delegation, Von BrockdorffRantzau, resigned with his Government rather than sign; and his successor, -Von Haniel, made the formal declaration that his Government would sign only “yielding to overwhelming force, but without on that account abandoning its view in regard to the unheardof injustice of the conditions of peace.” Not until Marshal Foch was instructed to be ready to march into Germany within three' days, says The Times, did the Gei-mans consent to a peace in the framing of which they had had hardly any part at all.

The monthly meeting of the Central branch of the W.C.T.U. was held in the Jed street hall. Mrs Macgregor presided.. Mrs Tannock sang a solo and Mrs Brass read an interesting paper on the history of the W.C.T.U. paper, the “White Ribbon,” which, she said, had been in circulation for 41 years The first issue, which was published in Christchurth, was the small beginning of what was now an important and widely circulated journal. One new member was initiated.

Last evening the Dominion Meteorologist issued the folloiving information:—A series of deep westerly depressions is advancing from southern Australia across New Zealand. Forecast: Winds strong and squally northwest to westerly, rising to gales and backing temporarily to south-west over most of the South Island. Seas in NewZealand water rough to high on the west coast and in the Cook and Foveaux Strait areas; elsewhere moderate to rather rough. Eastern Tasman Sea: Strong winds to gales between north-west and south-west; seas rough to high. Weather mainly cloudy to overcast; rain in districts •with a westerly aspect, with many heavy falls, extending also at times to eastern districts; snow probable on the high levels. Temperatures becoming colder.

The following donations to the Jubilee Cancer Fund are acknowledged: Miss P. C. Thomson, £25; Mrs and Miss Eastwood, £1 10/-.

A Press Association telegram from Napier on Saturday-stated that Edward Mountford Tunnicliffe, a showman and labourer, aged 43, was sentenced by Mr Justice Blair to three -years’ imprisonment on a charge of uttering a forged cheque for £lOOO on the National Bank of New Zealand at Napier.

Hopes are held by the New Zealand Labour Party that the memorial to the late leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Mr H. E. Holland, who died on October 7, 1933, will be completed in time for the second anniversary of his death. The sculptor, Mr R. O. Gross, who has designed the memorial, will, it is expected, commence on the marble work very shortly.

“I suggest that the days of largescale assisted migration to New Zealand are not merely interrupted, as Mr J. H. Thomas suggests, but definitely ended,” said Dr. A. G. B. Fisher, Professor of Economics at Otago University, addressing the Economics Society at Christchurch. “The old migration policy in New Zealand was based on rapidly expanding primary production. If that situation has fundamentally changed we should adopt a different policy. It seems to me that we should be prepared for, and welcome, a much slower stream in the future.”

An endeavour will be made by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce to arrange for a meeting between its representatives and the Airport Committee of the City Council. ‘ I don t think any time is too early for us to learn from them what course they propose to pursue,” said Mr M. G. C. McCaul, president of the chamber, at the meeting of the council this week. He thought that the chamber should indicate to the Airport. Committee its willingness to help in any scheme the committed proposed and its intention of urging the speedy prosecution of the work.

Three Maoris, Te Tamanui, Jack Rata and a child, had a narrow escape from drowning in a stream at Waingaro early last Wednesday afternoon. They had travelled in a sedan car from Tariki, Taranaki, and were going through Waingaro on their way to Waimai when the car, which was driven by Tamanui, left the slippery road and fell down a 30ft declivity. The vehicle came to rest on its side in a small stream and was almost completely submerged. The windows were open and the three occupants scrambled out very wet, but little the worse for their misadventure. Rata, an elderly man, was cut slightly about the face.

A link with the earliest days of the white man in New Zealand has been presented to the Auckland Wai Memorial Museum in the form of two beautifully etched sperm whale teeth (states the New Zealand Herald). They were given to Mrs George .Greenaway, who came to the Bay of Islands in 1832, and to Mr Gilbert Mair, who lived at Wahapu, Bay of Islands, as early as 1824. Over a century later they nave come into the possession of the museum, through the generosity of Mr J*. H. Worsfield, of Otorohanga, whose greatgrandparents on two sides of the family were the original owners. One etching is of a sailing ship with canvas and rigging in full detail, while on. the other tooth are two excellent drawings of native women.

When the East Coast Airways passenger aeroplane Tui landed sately through the fog on the Napier aerodrome at 8.50 a.m. on Tuesday the six passengers stood around the machine and gave three hearty cheers for the pilot, Squadron-Leader T. W. White (states the Hawkes Bay Herald). This was a spontaneous expression of appreciation of the pilot’s skill in bringinc the machine safely to earth uncter trying conditions after having cruised around for about an hour after arrival over the airport. During tnat hour the fog was so thick-that the .ground was quite invisible to those in the. aeroplane. The machine landed while the fog was still very thick, but a ternhorary rift over the airport itself gave the pilot just sufficient visibility to make a safe landing.

That oil may exist under Tokatoka is the opinion expressed by Mr T. Todd, of Lepperton, Taranaki, a diviner, who is visiting the district in connection with preliminary investigations, tor a water supply for the Ruawai fiats. Several Ruawai farmers have known for some time that there was oi- m small quantities under, their f 3 ™ l ® - Often water from artesian bores naa had a film of- oil on it, but this is the first time that any indications have been found of oil in larger quantities. Mr Todd, who uses a bent piece ot galvanized iron, as the strongest tw.igs break in his hands, covered a considerable area of ground to-day, and found indications of several good flows of water. In one particular spot he first found water, and then definite traces of oil. He says he is quite sure that oil exists under Tokatoka.

“There must be thousands of dogs in New Zealand roaming about loose at night. There must be hundreds in my district alone,” said Mr H. G. Parish (Oxford), speaking at the annual conference of the North Canterbury district of the New Zealand Farmers Union. He was supporting a remit that the Government should make it compulsory for all dogs to be tied up or placed under control after dark. Mr Parish said dogs were let loose at night because farmers would not feed them. He thought a dog not worth feeding was not worth keeping. Other speakers emphasized the menace to sheep and the worry to farmers of roaming dogs at night. The remit was referred to the executive as the difference. felt that in its present form it was not practical.

The construction of the sawmill and tramline for the Benara Timber Company at Westhaven, near Nelson, is now almost completed, and it is anticipated that the cutting of about 70,000 acres of bush' will commence at the latter end of next month (reports the Nelson Mail). The company, which has been formed with New Zealand and Australian capital, has made arrangements for the export of timber, mainly white pine and rimu, to Australia, and the erection of a suitable wharf is to be proceeded with almost immediately. It is anticipated that the first shipments will be made in September or October. A subsidiary company has been formed- in Melbourne for the development of gold-mining at Westhaven following a favourable report by the Australian geologist Mr Edward Edwards, who investigated the gold resources of the area early this year. Another expert will arrive m Nelson shortly to further investigate the possibilities of the area before any major works are put in hand.

Money will be raised in a novel manner for the relief of sufferers in the Baluchistan earthquake by the Indian hockey team now touring New Zealand. Everywhere that the team has gone, the players have been almost mobbed by persons of all ages seeking their autographs. In future the books will be left with the manager for the signatures, and a charge of sixpence will be made for each book. The money so collected will go to the earthquake relief fund.

The fact that not only are there no apple trees in that fruitful place, Norfolk Island, but also that the importation of apple trees or apples is forbidden, was mentioned in an interview by Mr G. Scarrott, who has returned to Hastings after having spent six years on the island. Mr Scarrott stated that the islanders are afraid that apples or apple trees would bring pests with them. So long as an “islanders” council was in power, Mr Scarrott said, there would never be apples on Norfolk Island.

Though there has been a revival in building homes in Auckland, the housing position is described as by no means satisfactory. Agents said that this was more apparent in a lack of houses to let. Numerous inquiries were received daily, and the shortage of houses to rent was more acute than it had been since the days immediately following the war. In spite of this, rents did not show any marked rise, as there was apparently a well-defined limit above which many persons were not prepared to pay. Large houses were not in much demand except for sub-letting, and dwellings in the more distant suburbs —relics of the post-war building boom —were frequently little more than “white elephants.” The rise in the number of permits issued seemed to point to a period of greater activity in building, possibly in the spring.

Professor Galli, of the Salus (Health) Pad treatment lias enlarged his rooms in Cambridge Place and has fitted up the adjoining office as a waiting room. Extra cubicles have also been erected. The extra accommodation will greatly add to the comfort of the patients.— 10/6/35.

Children’s all wool knitted gloves 1/6, all sizes. Maids’ wool gloves 1/11; ladies 1/11 up. Wicks’ Ltd., Cash Drapers, Dee street. —Advt.

We specialize in Infants’ Outfits, priced from 25/6 to 42/6. Napkins 8/11, 9/6, 11/6 and 13/6 per dozen, at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street. (Advt.)

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

Two lines of reliable winter hosiery are being cleared by Thomson and Beattie Ltd. during their stocktaking period. Fully fashioned cashmere hose with worked clox, that were 7/II are selling at 3/11 pair; and “Aladdin” fully fashioned pure silk hose ‘ mesh for evening wear, 13/11 quality at 5/11 pair.—Advt.

For WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY. Make sure of GOOD NEGATIVES by using only the better fiIms—SELOCHROME, VERICHROME OR ISOCHROME—then make sure of GOOD PICTURES by leaving your films at STEWART’S PHARMACY for DEVELOPING and PRINTING.—Advt.

Reading and travelling, the fumes and germ-laden atmosphere of townlife, the cinema, the constant irritation of tobacco smoke—all these take a heavy toll of your eyes. Is it any wonder that thev often feel dull, hot and heavy, that they get inflamed, and water easily, that eye headaches are so frequent. You can relieve these troubles with OPTRINE. This safe and gentle tonic lotion cleanses the eyes of all impurities, soothes away soreness and irritation, and keeps your eves clear, alert and vigorously healthy. 3/- per bottle, GEO. H._ BROWN, Dispensing Chemist, 125 Dee Street.—Advt.

Any lady who is contemplating a New Fur Coat this Winter, would be well advised to inspect our range of the finest quality Fur Coats in Southland. All classes of skins at prices that are truly the lowest in the trade for the high quality of the goods offered. We make up on the premises to your own style, any class or coat at no extra cost. Your own choice of linings, etc. Satisfaction guaranteed. Inspection invited. THE MUTUAL FUR COY, Manufacturing Furriers, Tay Street,— Advt. NOT A HERO. The person who goes about- bravely ignoring a cough or. slight influenza cold is a menace rather than a hero. He is endangering the health of others. The sooner he gets busy with Baxter’s Lung Preserver the better for everyone. Kills the cold quickly. “Baxter’s” is quick, safe and sure, and has splendid tonic properties. Three sizes, 1/6, 2/6 and 4/6. —Advt