POINTS OF VIEW

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3829, 4 November 1936, Page 5

POINTS OF VIEW

OPINIONS OF OUR READERS. THE LOCAL SCHOOL CAPS. Sir, —I would firstly remind "Expupil” that the whole essence of my letter was the sensitiveness of boys, and that it was not a challenge for a debate on the appropriateness and inappropriateness of pseudonyms. Therefore he has made no attempt to crush my argument, but has dodged the point. Since the true meaning ot the prefix "ex” is “out," then perhaps your correspondent is implying that lie is a true out of times being, and that in his prehistoric youth sensitive feelings were in obscurity awaiting their discovery by some David Livingstone or Captain Cook. But however uncivilised or inhuman persons are, they still have sensitive feelings. Let me direct "Ex-pupil's" attention to Shylock, a prominent character in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice." Perhaps he is acquainted with the fact that the Jew’s love for money was predominant over his love for his daughter since when his daughter stole his ducats, Shylock said, “I would that she were dead at my feet with the ducats in her ears.” But let him recall the following: “Hath not a Jew eyes’ Hath not a Jew. hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions’” Though an extremely -poor type of man, Shylock was still aware of his natural human feelings. Further, if your correspondent deplores my implication that the headmaster has anything but the well-being of his pupils at heart, and as he leaves my contentions unchallenged, he then admits that although full of good' intentions, the headmaster is unable to achieve his great object of pleasing all, on account of his being blind to the sensitiveness of youths. With regard to "Ex-pupil’s” generous appeal to the public of Te Awamutu at large to provide humour for broadminded people, I thank him, but at the same time beg to inform him,that the sense of humour of the average jn-oadmind-ed persons does never reach such an ebb that it calls for the man in the street's aid to revive it, while he is yet able to read some of Dickens’ true humour. Finally, I do allow that your correspondent showed extreme care in that he failed to mention the nature of the institution of which he is an ex-member.—l am, etc., BROADMINDED. PRICKLY PEAR MENACE. Sir, —When in Australia: some yAars ago one of the items which surprised me most was the spread of prickly pear in the Darling Downs area of New South Wales and Southern Queensland. It was also met with in Victoria. It was told it was introduced from South America; that it covered millions of acres of Australia’s best land; that it was encroaching at the rate of hundreds of thousands of acres yearly; that up to that date no efficient remedy bad been found. It appeared to members of our party that much of the land infested was good dairying land. A remarkable transformation has nowtaken place; so astonishing that it would not be accepted unless delivered by prominent judges. The Minister of Lands in Queensland, Mr R. Pease, says definitely the great menace of prickly pear in Queensland is gone, due to the persistent attacks of the cactoblastis insect, a boring caterpillar also introduced from South America. Before being liberated and distributed throughout many of the infested areas, exhaustive tests were made to prove the working capacity of the insect, and also to discover if it would produce other troubles. The distribution, of prickly pear was brought about in much the same manner as furze and blackberry in this Dominion. Strange to say, though planted here, prickly pear doe’s not prove a menace. The peak year of its growth in Australia was about 1924, when in Queensland alone it was considered 40,000 square miles or 26,000,000 acres had become infected and rendered useless. The portion of the King Country and other areas rendered of little value by ragwort is small against these huge figures, but what a blessing to New Zealand if a parasite could be found to deal with this pest. Ragwort is said to be spreading in Victoria and other parts of Australia. May they be as successful in finding a remedy as for prickly pear, in order that we too may benefit is the prayer of, —I am, etc., RAGWORT.

OUR KING. -

Some months ago a wireless message circled the earth to the effect that Edward VIII after visiting the great new liner Queen Mary, and the squalid Glasgow slums, asked of a near-by friend, “How do you reconcile a world that has produced this mighty ship with the slums we have just visited?” This reminds us of the visit of the same gentleman to India, when as Prince of Wales, he stopped his motor car, and to their surprise talked to a large assemblage of Untouchables, who had gathered to greet him. The occasion was so unique that it was a much talked of and impressive event in India, as elsewhere. King Edwaid is listed to shortly pay ,a visit to the areas of England which are still in the throes of the depression. This fact focusses our attention on the knowledge that a King rules over England who cannot reconcile a world which provides on the one hand luxury and freedom for the comparatively few, and a sordid pinched and cramped existence for the many. He is showing that he will not be contented until ho has set in motion principles which will have a redeeming influence on economic and social questions, and hereby create, a juster, fairer and more kindly England. Our King has already definitely proved that he is a friend of the humble creation. We take off our hats to the gentleman who as head of the Empire takes pleasure in viewing the Queen Mary, but who is not forgetful of the slums. Long may he reign to lead the Empire into prominence, and effect necessary reforms in this new age.—l am, etc., BRITISHER.