PRO BONO PUBLICO

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 89, 20 August 1923, Page 5

PRO BONO PUBLICO

(By Searchlight). It seems strange that "Onlooker'' in Notes by the Way in Saturday's issue of the Stratford Evening Post should have erred in his reference to Kipling's Recessional Hymn, "Lest We Forget," by stating that "it was written to let us try and remember those who paid in the Great War." He unconsciously struck the truth, however, when he added—" Alas, our memories are short!" The poem was written long before the Great War, and nothing could have been further from Kipling's mind than conscientious objectors or slackers who took to the bush, and later were deprived of their civil rights, "Lest We Forget" was published on the occasion of the late Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, as a set-off to the chorus of self-con-gratulatory and boastful poems in prariso of the greatness) and glory of England. At the close of the service came Kipling's Recessional, which struck a new note—one of humility—in the form of a closing prayer to God for a continuance of His divine protection and mercy. The last two verses of the hymn are are follows:

If drunk with sight of power, we loose Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe— Such boastings as the Gentiles use, Or lesser breeds without the Lawt-~ Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet! Lest wo forget—lest we forget! For heathen heart that puts her trust In reeking tube and iron shard— All valiant dust that builds on dust, And, guarding, calls not Thee to guard- •- For frantio boast and foolish word, Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord! * mi ■ ■ "Searchlight" entirely agrees with" "Onlooker's" expression of regret that the public in some districts are so short-memoried as to laud the slackers by appointing them to positions in public affairs. Such action is an insult to the Glorious Dead and an injury to every returned soldier in the district who was passed over in the selection. To keep deserters and slackers in their proper places. "Searchlight" considers that an official list should be prominently exposed at every poßt office in the district, giving the names and addresses and the nature of the offences in aU ; ,. cases. There would be no need, ftien, to preach periodical homilies based on the well-worn words—" Lest we Forget!" \ ■ *, \ ■ > • • » m With only a few months ahead of the Annual Show of the 1 Stratford Agricultural and Pastoral Association; the'tune is opportune to make *jfc a suggestion to the executive with a view to effecting an improvement in the programme, and it is hoped these lines will be accepted by that body in the same kindly spirit in which they are written. "Searchlight" for several years past has heard complaints that members arid the general public receive little for their patronage. This is applicable more particularly to People's Day, when the programme is completed about 3.30 or 4 p.m., and the people having nothing to engage their at« tention move homewards more or less ; dissatisfied with shows in gjeneral and! the Stratford Show for the time being, more than any other. But it must be remembered that at most similar functions in the Dominion the same general unsatisfactory position prevails, and the public are clamoring louder yearly for better value for their money.

It is interesting to note in the same connection that the question of providing a more varied programme for the afternoon of People's Day at the Olago A. and P. Society's Summer Show was mentioned at a. meeting of the committee last week. Ono speaker pointed out that under present arrangements the greater portion of the afternoon was taken up in carrying out the champion jumping events. There was no doubt that these events were interesting to a number of the visitors, but at' the same time there was a general opinion that too much time was being devoted to these contests. There were many other interesting events that might be reasonably added, and which in his opinion would go a long way to popularise the show. Many members agreed with these rearks, and eventually "a committee was appointed to report as to the possibility of providing another ring which could be utilised to carry through other events;.

"Searchlight" does not sugj£Sftfc a second ring at Stratford, but quote* the position at Dunedin to emphasise Hie. need for f popularising People's Day especially. After the Grand Parade, which is very 7 interesting of eoxirse as an exhibition of Stratford's best high-class stock—though candidly it must bo admitted one parade ia very much like another—there is little to keep the crowd interested except two or three horserjumping contests. Tn view of the. interest shown in the trotting races at the Association's Carnival, the advisability of including two or three of this class of events in order tolengthen the programme might well be seriously discussed by f the executive. The members may have other and better ideas which can be carried out, but the fact remains that the general public deserve more consideration, in this respect in tha future than they have received from the Association in the past.