FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 189, 31 October 1927, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By

“THE LOOK-OUT MAN”

COALS DOWN

The coal merchants have decided to reduce the price of what in tlie winter is very appropriately named “black diamonds” by 2s a ton. If there is one class of philanthropist more prodigal than another, it is your coal merchant. His heart is as warm as his fires, and always he has in mind the desirability of providing a glowing hearth —especially for the poor. So in the winter he keeps up the price of coal, thereby ensuring that the worker will have to work very hard during the day (if he can find employment) to pay for the coal. This is ou the admirable theory that what is hardly won is best enjoyed. When summer comes and the fires of Nature distribute their warmth with equal impartiality among rich and poor alike at no cost to the consumer, the heart of the coal merchant expands with an uncontrollable generosity, and he brings down the price of his gems by 2s a ton. If the workers could only grasp the full extent ,of this self-denial in their interests, there would be far less talk about the alleged grinding of the poor. DARK WORKINGS A good deal of public Interest has been shown in the working of Combined Buyers, Ltd., too much indeed, in the opinion of the company’s directors. Despite considerable opposition on the part of a number of shareholders, the chairman forced through a motion to exclude the Press at the annual meeting in Wellington. The proposal, it is reported, was rejected by a large majority, but the chairman demanded a poll, and then declared his motion carried, although he refused to give the figures of the voting. It is very certain that when a public company excludes the Press it has something it wishes to hide from the public. Possibly it may be something of no great consequence; but If all kinds of rumours are circulated (and are believed) as the consequence of working in the dark, those who are responsible for this secret business policy have only themselves to blame. THE SUMMER “ SKEETER ” When comes the glad summer, comes also the glad mosquito, who has been hibernating all the past months in cellars, swamps, creeks, empty jam-tins and the like. He comes forth at night, in big battalions, humming grandly in anticipation of the feast. He drives you indoors from the porch and follows you to bed and bites you all the night, until, gorged to the neck with your life’s blood, he staggers off to hide until the following night. He is the cause of more painful irritation, more restlessness, more insomnia, and more profanity than any other of the “sweet things of summer.” So exasperated has Auckland become over the mosquito, that it has formed a Mosquito Control Committee, and it is putting it to the ' City Council to clean out of the gullies of the city and suburbs all the litters of “old tins, bottles, boots and broken household utensils,” wherein mosquitos breed in unbelievable numbers. The City Council should hardly have to .be invited to wipe its face and wash its hands in the manner suggested, for these many rubbish heaps breed flies as well as mosquitos—and flies spread disease more than any other carrier. The Works Committee of the council is considering the question of utilising expert assistance offered by the Mosquito Control Committee. While it is considering, the mosquitos are suspending breeding operations, of course—so there’s no hurry.

“GAOL IN FUTURE " Mr. Mosley, S.M., is to be eougratulated upon taking up a courageous attitude in regard to that terror of the road, the drunken motorist. “It must be stopped,” said the magistrate, in fining a defendant .£lO and cancelling his licence for a period. Then he endorsed the argument Gf The Sun by stating that the only course was to send such men to gaol. "Day after day,” said Mr. Mosley, “men are charged with being intoxicated while in charge of cars. I have done my best to warn them. Now I issue a further warning: I am seriously considering sending all intoxicated motorists to gaol, for I am satisfied that 90 per cent, of the accidents are caused by men taking a little liquor. . . . Then they take risks they would not take in the ordinary course.” If all magistrates were to issue similar warnings—and abide by the policy enunciated —the terror of the road would at once become less formidable. In view of recent very shocking happenings, the public now looks to magistrates and judges for better | protection, and if this is not afforded. : occupants of tlie Bench will lay j themselves open to very serious 1 criticism.