MY DAY TO GROWL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 79, Issue 7123, 21 October 1949, Page 5

MY DAY TO GROWL

ABOUT THIS AND THAT LIFE’S VICISSITUDES AND ITS PLEASANTRIES (By A. Growler) Two incidents in Parliament this week gives me the opportunity to indulge in “growls,” that serve to indicate and stress the fact that this column is strictly non-party political. 1 am in hearty agreement with the Opposition in opposing Mr Nash’s action in granting a very special privilege to a certain portion of his electorate in the way of financing a Community Centre. The method of raising that money is also to be coni demned for I fail to see that anyone ; should be compelled to pay a levy for the provision of something that perhaps they may not use. To increase the rents of State houses by Is per week, for the purpose named is surely wrong, though it might be a practical example of the gospel of socialism as preached by the Government- Coming nearer home, under recent legislation, power is given to Domain Boards to collect levies from counties, and at the moment the Hamilton Domain Board are trying to enforce the Waipa and Waikato counties, to make substantial contributions towards the upkeep of the domains in Hamilton that are under their control. All sports bodies should be in a position to provide the finance needed to carry on their particular kind of sport, but from the numerous applications from sports bodies for financial assistance it would appear as if the good old spirit of independence has been relegated somewhat to the background, and the modem spirit of socialism implanted in place thereof. Surely, Mr Nash cannot think that his hold on the Lower Hutt seat is too safe when he has to adopt this particularly obnoxious form of vote catching. ♦ * * * So the Gaming Amendment Bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and the only member of the House, in my opinion who can feel any cause for satisfaction is Mr J. A. Roy, the National Party member for Clutha who, in opposing the Bill, said he was sorry the House was passing legislation which in his opinion, and the opinion of many people, would increase facilities for gambling. He was not a “kill sport,” but he regretted that much of our sport was being spoiled and large sums of money were being spent in various forms of gambling. He was aware there had been a referendum. Many people had voted for off-course betting because they thought it would eliminate the bookmakers and so reduce gambling, but he did not think that would be the case- The extension of legal facilities for betting was not in the best interests of the country, and he wished to register his protest at the bill, which made it easier for young people to gamble within the law. Congratulations, Mr Ray on the stand taken, and for which you deserve, the thanks of all who are capable of right-thinking. I cannot understand, Mr S- C. Holland’s almost fanatical support of a measure that is inquitous and one likely to have a demoralising effect on the young people of this .Dominion. If Mr Holland’s support of the Bill is based on the t-s-surr.paon that because so many people voted for off-the-course betting, it is wise political strategy to go in “boots and all,” in the hope that such an attitude will gain votes, then I am afraid that the Leader of the Opposition is barking up the wrong tree. Mr Holland should take a few lessons in political warfare from that master of political tactics, the Prime Minister, who is a wily old bird (I am sure Mr Fraser will pardon the phrase), in such matters. However, the Bill is now law and it will be interesting to see the effects on the economy of the Dominion. I am afraid that the old saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone?” is not subscribed to or carried out by many people these days. ♦ * ♦ ♦ • New’ Zealand did not always have stringent immigration laws and in the middle decades of the last century there were some thousands of Chinamen following the gold rushes on the West Coast. Many were deported in after years but many died here* and were buried in odd corners of the gold fields. Their resting places were only temporary however for they all paid into a fund to defray the expense of carrying their remains back to China, should they die in foreign land. About 1900 arrangement were begun to gather the bones of the exiles for return to their homeland, and on October 26, 1902, the S.S. Ventura sailed from Wellington with (New Zealand’s strangest export. Outward bound for Hong Kong with a cargo of coal and 499 Chinese bodies, the Ventura struck a rock of Cape * Egmont and foundered before she could make port. I have just finished reading one of what promises to be an outstanding book of the years; it is “Nineteen Eighty Four,” by George Orwell. The author has wTitten /three previous novels, “Animal Farm,” (a satire), “Coming Up For Air,” and “Burmese Days” and three works of a general nature. The book under review depicts with very great powers, the honors of a well-established totalitarian regime. It is important, says Earl Russell (Bertram Russell) in a review of this book that the western world should be aware of those dangers, and not only in the somewhat form of fear of Russia. Mr Orbell has etched with skill and vigour a picture that makes the writer, at least, glad that he is not likely to be alive in 1984. Those who speak Esperanto will note with interest there will be in vogue in those f years, Newspeak, which will be the official language of Oceania (the scene of the novel’s action) and the new language was devised to meet the ideological needs of Ingsoc, or English Socialism. I do not think that the novel is ' likely to have a wide appeal in Te Awamutu, but it is one, that should be read by all readers who like to be up-to-date in their reading. It is a Weil worthwhile book. From the above book it was pleasant to turn to “Liza of Lambeth,” by W. Somerset Maugham. The copy in the local library is unique, so far as Te Awamutu is concerned, for it is one

of a thousand copies, numbered and personally autographed by Somerset Maugham, This book was along with some others of the author, first published in 1897 and it is now issued in the Jubilee Edition. The chief character in the book is a midwife, who says. “I have attended 63 confinements in twelve weeks and that is the material I used for the book.” It is bright and breezy in its dialogue and is packed with good humour. Other books which might interest readers are, “Man Alone,” by the late John Mulgan, who incidentally was a son of Algan Mulgan, the editor of the Auckland Star, and himself a writer, his “Home,” a descriptive work dealing with England being very popular. John Mulgan wrote the work under review some years ago and it has been brought up-to-date. “Man Alone,” is a story, the life in between one man’s life in New Zealand in the early 30’s and it also records the failure of New Zealand’s traditional kindness to withstand the blasts of economical depression. Mulgan also wrote his “Report on Experience, War and Peace.” It is a matter for regret that death claimed him at far too early an age.

“Step Down, Elder Brother,” is a warm, sympathetic story of human beings in Mexico, written by Josephine Niggli. For those who like short stories, “The Nightingales Sing,” by Elizabeth Parsons is to be recommended. The writer’s feeling for atmosphere is uncanny, and in a few sentences she can portray the lovely aspects of the countryside, a scene in an emotional climate, in which the characters live. There are 17 stories in the book. “The Overseer,” by Peter Vansittart, The principal character is symbolic of the figure dominating the shattered world of the German people in 1922, when its life was stark. It is remarkable social commentary. “Emily,” by James I Hanley is the story pf the ret uni of the soldier (to his wife. The unease, the attempts at readjustment, the moments of watchfulness, the doubts and the unshared experiences of two simple people is very well treated. It is a disturbing, moving novel. “Jig-Saw” by Barbara Goolden, is a book to be read by all parents and others. The story begins with a Director of Human Destinies who from on high directs the right babies to the right families, except that a slip was made when the athletic parents got the aesthetic lad, and the stupid baby was dumped on the advanced parents. It is a good story and ,is a brilliant /(satire on educational ideals and achievements. ♦ * * *

A farmer friend of mine yesterday complained about some householders in the borough having the gates of their properties open, much to the annoyance of those who are driving cattle to the sales, or to other places. My friend was somewhat irate and forceful in his condemnation of the practice and rightly so. The property owners get very wrathful because of the damage done to the gardens etc., forgetting that they are guilty of contributory negligence by leaving the gates open. It is just as annoying for the drover as it is for the householder. There is some excuse for the farmer as it is an utter impossibility to absolutely have under complete control a mob of cattle, while in nine cases out of ten it is through sheer carelessness that gates are left open Now that attention has been drawn to the matter’ it is hoped that cause for complaint will be removed.

Before the next “Growl” appears the present Parliament will have gone into the limberlost of yesterday, but the political good and sins will not be interred with their Parliamentary bones. The Parliament just concluded was the 28th since the establishment of responsible Government in New Zealand in 1856. There has during that period been 41 Ministries, the first Prime Minister being Henry Sewell, who was in charge of the BellSewell Ministry for 13 days, assuming office on 7th May, 1856 and retiring on the 20th of the same month. None of the earlier ministries lasted very long, it remaining for Richard John Seddon to make a stand, his Ministry lasting thirteen years, the death of the Premier dissolving the 27th Ministry. Mr Hall Jones was the next Premier and he acted as a stop-gap for Sir Joseph Ward, then overseas. Mr Hall Jones reigned from June 21 to August 6, 1906. Sir Joseph Ward’s Ministiry lasted 6 years, while Mr Massey’s three Ministries lasted from 1912 to 1925. Labour came into power ih 1935, Mr Savage being Prime Minister from that year, until April 1, 1940, when he died. The present Prime Minister assumed office on that date and he is still in office