CURRENT COMMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1931, Page 1 (Supplement)

CURRENT COMMENT

OTHER POINTS OF. VIEW

(By

M.O.5=S.)

Old sayings revised: “Make hay while the sun shines.” Any Taranaki farmer knows the fallacy of this, because the sun never shines long enough to get the jolly old hay in. Consequently: “Make ensilage, whether the sun shines or it does not shine, just to be on the safe side.” * # # * Talking of farming reminds us of the peculiarly bold statement made by the Prime Minister the other day. “The farmers .of New Zealand,” he said, “are up against a hard proposition.” We had no idea he would be so frank in his opinion of our mortgagee. so # # * But after all times are a bit hard. “J.H.S.” tells us that away back in the nineteenth century “Punch” issued a full page cartoon depicting the mosquitos of the Manawatu perched on the top of a post-and-rail fence picking their teeth with the bones of a mob of bullocks they had slain during the night. A hefty meal indeed, but can these mosquitos compare with the cattle of Poverty Bay, who lately have been dining freely on fencing posts. It so happened that the posts referred to were of a species of willow that' frequently breaks out into verdure. To the amazement of the cattle they discovered one day that the grazing to be had from the sides and tops of a particular line of posts was infinitely more satisfying than the droughty pasture underfoot. Hence the greater amazement of the farmer when he happened out into the field and found a cow or two consuming every post. ’ , • # . • • Last week an attempt was made in this column to show people why they should get together and be as gloomy as possible. But this week the clouds are blacker than ever. Take, foi' example, the case of the highland piping that is to be held at Hawera next March. As soon as the Hawera people heard about it, it is understood that most of them hurriedly made attempts to have their holidays changed to March. Not, however, so that they might stay in Hawera. One resident oven went ,to the length of deciding to stay in New Plymouth for a week, but he, quite rightly, \Vas immediately ostra-. cised by his fellow townspeople for infidelity and rank heresy. The others made arrangements to go to Kaupokonui, Ohawe and other beach resorts away from the forbidden territory. A gleam . of hope appeared when an attempt was made by the Taranaki-Wanganui centre of the New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association to take control of the piping—any sort of control, the public argued, would minimise the menace —but alas, the true Scot appeared, and the proposal fell through. “The position was,” said a member of the deputation from the centre, “that the association controlled all piping in New .Zealand. It would like to take control' of the piping in Taranaki .... and naturally to participate in the profits.” Yes, naturally. And having perceived the sting in the tai! thg Taranaki Brass and Pipe Bands’ Union decided it would not like to be stung. ' ♦ # ■ # # A correspondent has written asking what vegetables are particularly unpopular with borough engineers just at present. We understand that the answer is “leeks.” ♦ • « • One of the worst features of this week’s news is the information regarding the alarming spread of “doping.” We have all heard of bank clerks and rich men—perhaps we should have said bank clerks or rich men—being drugged and their money stolen; and of that “sure thing” that we had a fiver on the other day, but ran last. It must have been doped, too. . But now we have the amazing fact cabled to us that cunning cricketers, in Yorkshire have 'been doping the. wickets so that the ■batsmen can make more runs. One method apparently is to treat the wicket with liquid manure, and another to treat it with fish oil. “Yorkshire is now setting an example by ordering the groundsmen not to use unfair., dopes,” said Lord Hawke. .“Endgland’s best cricketers are getting too much cricket on this sort of wicket, and are becoming absolutely stale.” In view of the treatment they have been getting is it not possible that it is the wickets, and not the batsmen, who are getting stale? *• * • * • ■ % Wellington, Jan. 28. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce to-day decided to support the campaign for the spread of optimism. It was indicated that the Manufacturers’ Association had enthusiastically taken up the scheme and financial support was forthcoming. The plan includes the appointment of an organiser to canvass for donations. It is suggested the publicity would not be sectional but would be on national lines to encourage spending a little more, thus aiding industry generally and helping to cure unemployment. Wellington, Jan. 28. A decision to approach the Government to express the opinion that mails to be carried by steamers arriving in New Zealand from the > United Kingdom via Panama should come to the central port, namely, Wellington, was made at the meetof the council of the Chamber of Commerce. So this is optimism! Or is it selfishness? ••■ » • Two young ladies were brought before the magistrate at New Plymouth recently, and fined for breaches of the traffic regulations. Verily: Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your auto go? Now left, ■ now .right, past signals '• bright And any old way but slow.