MY DAY TO GROWL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 81, Issue 7253, 18 September 1950, Page 5

MY DAY TO GROWL

ABOUT THIS AND THAT LIFE’S VICISSITUDES—AND ITS PLEASANTRIES (By A. Growler} The death of Field-Marshal Jan Christian Smuts i emoves not only a great soldier and statesman, but an example of Britain’s magnanimity in dealing with a defeated foe. Smuts, however, more than repaid Britain and his service to the Empire was long, faithful, and distinguished. Incidentally, I record that in World Wai 11, New Zealand’s Director of Publicity and Cen.sor, Mr. J. T. Paul (himself a former newspaper man) issued a directive calling on papers to call Smuts by his title of Field-Marshal, and not merely General.

Every small town has its quota of spreaders of rumours, but unfortunately Te Awamutu has more than its share. I mentioned this fact to a friend of mine (a resident of quite a few years .standing in the town) and he said some of that ilk went in for it on quite like a business scale. One finds it difficult to understand why people spiead rumours and why they listen to tales and assertions and spread them as being the truth. It would appear as if some people find in .spreading rumours a sadistic pleasure. Unfortunately, there have been several events that have given spreaders of rumours scope for their activities. One was that the very sad event that, but for God’s mercy could have been a great deal worse. Despite the published statement as to the condition of the victims, the Rumours spread rapidly that several deaths had occuned as a result. There was absolutely no excuse for the rumours. It is a pity that the people responsible for the spreading of rumours did not Stop to think of the mental anguish that is caused, which is equally as painful as physical pain to many people. It is cause for further pity that such could not be made an offence and the originators punished. A next of kin to mmour-spreading is scandal-mongering, and here again untold misery is caused to innocent people. It is to be sincerely hoped that in future people will ascertain the true facts before jumping to conclusions and before passing on unverified statements.

Last Sunday afternoon while waiting to meet some people I was interested to see the way in which some of the youth of the town spend theii leisuie time. I saw quite a few adolescent youths ride aimlessly around on their bicycles taking an apparent delight in circling around without rhyme or reason. They did so to their own immediate danger and to the annoyance and possible danger of motorists. I venture to say that if any one of those cyclists had been hit by a car, the driver would be blamed and without any just cause. The afternoon was gloriously fine and I wondered why they did not cycle out into the country and thus get better acquainted with our glorious countryside. Perhaps they knew that they would not have any spectators if they did so, but they should realise that the people who see do not admire their antics. Fuithermore, how many of those lads take part in any game of sport? The question of providing recreation for those young people at a loose end is a difficult one and offers scope for those organisations who are interested in the welfare of youth. The above criticism is not offered in a carping spirit, but with a desire to see youth indulge in a more edifying pastime than by merely .showing off.

An esteemed reader last week brought into the office where I work a paper called “The Helping Hand.” The advertisements were as interesting as they were intriguing. A firm of undertakers (still in business) advertised funerals at from 35s for infants to £4l 10s for adults. A photographer charged 5s for three enamelled cabinet sized photos. The question of milk is a somewhat sore subject in Te Awamutu at the moment, so that it was interesting to read of a pure, concentrated milk and it was claimed that there was no need for the dairyman to sacrifice his Sunday rest for as milk could be taken on Saturday and it kept sweet until Monday. A tailor in Kawakawa advertised that he would make a tweed sac suit with cap to match for £3 15s. He proudly adds “Patronised by both houses of parliament.” A dentist advertises full sets of teeth in vulcanite, celluloid, or silver at £3 10s and a full set in gold at £lO. The date of the publication is October, 1892.

The glorious spring weather recalls that in past years spring used to be welcomed by long-haired (and bala) poets breaking forth into poetic fervor, with the housewife sallying forth and buying herself a new hat while the farmer sallied forth to his bank manager to see about his overdraft. The muddied oaf gave place to the flannelled fool, the beautiful flowers blossomed, the bees hummed and the birds sang. “Old Rowley” and others of his calling talked about what w’ould win next Saturday’s races nnd lovers, married and invaded the lurniture shops and rented or bought the house of their choice and there were spring colds and hay fever and people began to say “my word, Christmas will soon be here.” No poets greeted this year’s spring and the housewife was far too worried about making Sid Holland’s pound go further to even think about a new hat, leaving that for the single girl§ who work in shops, offices and factories and earn big money. Farmers do not worry about overdrafts and the wool kings are sailing on to undreamed heights of affluence. Birds and bees and racing scribes are performing as usual; so are lovers, though they can’t buy furniture, because there are no houses to be rented or bought (except at fabulous prices) and the best the young marrieds can do is to live with his or her “old man”. There isn’t much happiness except among the young and thoughtless, for though a man collects a handful of notes, as much in a week as he got in a month fifteen years ago, he hasn’t mucn left by the time next week’s pay

comes and probably he has to “borrow” a few bob from mum so he can get a few “snifters”, while mum is hard put to it to feed the family on what she gets and she never knows when the electric light is likely to be switched off.

Spring now brings newer and graver threats of war and awful threats of newer and more awful weapons of destruction and the whole world can’t hear the birds singing for the roar of propaganda and the screeching of jet propelled planes. Parents with boys leaving school look at them and wonder if they will be free to pursue their chosen careers, have families or have to go and defend their (and our) freedom against a tyranny that may even outdo that of Hitler.

We find militant unionists ceasing work because the morning tea is too cold or for some other paltry reason, but despite all those evidences of the a favoured people, living in a wonage we live in, we in New Zealand are derfully favoured land. Whether we are as grateful as we should be is a matter of personal opinion. The thought for the above came from the Sydney Bulletin.

I did not have the pleasure of hearing Mr T. L. Hayman, M.P. for Oamaru, when he was in Te Awamutu last week. All who heard him, spoke in glowing terms of praise and there is no doubt but he will be an acquisition to the House. I was greatly interested to read a letter he wrote to my Chief and I quote the following from it inter alia, he said “I do hope to be able to make some small contribution to the general welfare over the years. We all accept with little gratitude so many wonderful gifts. We have many privileges which we accept without any thankfulness, that I sin cerely believe we could get so much more out of our term in this world if we occasionally gave some con sidered thought to this wonderful life of ours and counted from time to time our blessings. A better appreciation of our blessings would, I believe, promote some more effort to wards their presentation.” Tn another letter written to his host and hostess and their son, Mr Havman expressed thanks for the hos pitality received and appreciation oi the opportunity to see so much of the Waikato in which they were deeply interested and very much impressed.