MY DAY TO GROWL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 79, Issue 7146, 16 December 1949, Page 5

MY DAY TO GROWL

ABOUT THIS AND THAT LIFE’S VICISSITUDES—AND ITS PLEASANTRIES Nothing appealed to this scriba’s political iaelings for many years than the offer of Mr Holland to Mr Frasei for the latter to take part in the delegation of statesmen to Colombo. The offer was not only most generous and gracious but it indicated a very high sense of loyalty to the Empire unscathed by party politics and it w*as an auspicious start to Mi Holland’s - Prime Ministership. It was also some- / thing not done by the Labour Party H in their fourteen years of office even though the Opposition by its European equality of membership in the House warranted such an act. I have been pleased to learn that several residents have recognised in a most generous manner the work of the Rochdale marching girls in putting Te Awamutu on the map. I believe that several donations have been received as well as the use of cars for transport purposes. The girls are more than grateful for that practical interest in them, and believe me they are worthy of all that can be done for them. Thank you good friends. • « * * If the Hon. Mrs Ross, is given control of the administration of the Child Welfare Act and its large, ramifications she will bring to the discharge of that duty a practical knowledge of the work. Mrs Ross has for many years been a Justice of the Peace with special jurisdiction in the Children’s Court, and I have seen her in the exercise of that duty. As in all her public work, Mrs Ross’ sympathetic yet practical interest and her kindly words of advice io young <4|.fnquents was wet 3 couched and doubtless had effect. The local Traffic Officer is doing excellent work in his endeavour to keep the roads free from intoxicated motorists of which there have been far too many of late. Th? Inspector cannot be expected to be on duty all the time, but his record of service to date in Te Awamutu indicates that he certainly works more than 40 hours a week. The position of a Traffic Officer is a thankless one, but they should have the support of all citizens of goodwill and repute. There is no need to stress the dangers that arise from drunken drivers or from drivers whose only idea of motoring is speed. The holidays are fast approaching when the motor traffic will assume large proportions and they are appealed to to exercise care in their motoring. The careful commonsense motorist fhas nothing to fear from a Traffic Officer.

The defeat of the Labour Government in Australia is a good thing for New Zealand for as Mr Holland has said there is a community interest between the two countries. The change will obviate one set of circumstances obtaining on the Australian waterfronts and another set on the New Zealand wharves. There are other ways in which the two Governments with a similarity of ideals and outlook can work in together for the common good of both countries. There used to be a saying that what Manchester thinks to-day, England thinks to-morrow and apparently what New Zealand thought on the 30th November, Australia thought on the 10th December. Now we are awaiting to see if Britain’s thinking apparatus will work along similar lines next year.

Te Awamutu achieved fame on Saturday last when the first strike under the naw Government took place and despite the presence of tuo new Ministers of the Crown the “strikers” won. Shades of Fcter Fraser. Despite that untoward incident the Waip-.i Racing Club’s Summer Meeting was one of its best, if not the best yet held by the enterprising club. Mr J. T. Young the genial and energetic president has an able and conscientious team of willing workers and that band includes Mr L. A. Johnston whose work as secretary is unsurpassable in the realm of secretaryships. The club has many good friends, such as the St. John Ambulance, Legion of Frontiersmen, Te Awamutu Municipal Band.' Members of these organisations render excellent service and all who make the Waipa Racing Club’s meetings such a success as was chieved on Saturday are to be thankea and congratulated.

The reception to the Hon. XV. J. Broadfoot (I wonder doss he recognise himself by his exalted title) m Te Awamutu on Saturday morning must have been as pleasing tc that gentkman as it was to the friends, who met to offer him felicitations on the recognition of his untiring services to the people of Wa’tomo and Waikato. Mr Broadfoot will new have the opportunity of serving the people of New Zealand and if he serves them as well as he did those in the two electorates here, and I fee! sure that he will, then the people as a whole will have no occasion for complaint.

I was very pleased to be present at the meeting held on Monday afternoon whereat it was decided to fonn a panel of Blood Donors to replenish and keep up to its full requirements, the bloodbank at the Waikato HospiFederated Farmers are Ho be heartily congratulated on having initiated the movement in this district and I sincerely trust that success will crown their efforts. While it is not possible for everyone to be a blood donor, yet the giving of blood by those physically capable. of doing so entails no hardship or pain. I was also pleased to note that the Junior Chamber of Commerce have placed the formation of a panel on their priority list for projects to be undertaken in the New Year. With so many organisations such as the Red Cross, Young Farmers’ Club, St. John Ambulance, Catholic Women’s League, Women’s Institute, Women’s Division, Rotary Club- and the R.S.A. pledging their assistance to the cause there is no reason to fear that Te Awamutu and district will not fail to make a

substantial contribution to one of the most worthy objectives that can ba conceived. There is no need to emphasise the statement made by Dt Fitchett as to the need for co-opera-tion. His remarks relative to the donation of blood having no ill-effects on the donor can be vouchsafed for by many regular donors from all over the Waikato. All who have given blood from time to time speak of the gentleness, courtesy, and unfailing kindness of the medical and nursing staffs who engage in the work of the blood transfusion service.

As it is mydntention to make this my last “Growl” for this year, I desire to extend to all my readers my best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I sincerely trust that each and everyone will spend the festive season in the manner that they think best to fittingly observe the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem. There are those who will celebrate it in full expression and in (accordance with. Itihe faith that was born with the lowly Nazarene, while others will-observe a period of feasting and drinking as their idea of a fitting celebration, but in whatever spirit it is celebrated, it will be a recognition of the founder of Christianity. In the course of human events there wll be some for whom sorrow and bereavement will come and to those who will remember if not celebrate the. world’s greatest event under a cloud of sorrow, my sympathy is extended.