Current Comment

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1938, Page 11 (Supplement)

Current Comment

(By "M.O.S.")

Other Points of View

Die ?— t. # * « * Fire gutted the main part of a bacon factory at Christchurch. The employees, we take it, made strenuous efforts to save theirs. * # * * Conclusion of negotiations for the Tasman air service is in sight, accordirig to the Hon. W. Nash. More longsightedness by the Labour Govemment? # # * * That meant a loss of the happiness of general welfare and mental happiness, which could not be estimated in figures, said a lecturer on nutrition. We thought the general welfare and happiness often was estimated *in figures. # # '» * Long standing world sack race records were broken at Wellington on Saturday. Did they eclipse the employers' sack race records in depression years? * * * m Ability to fly backwards and to remain stationary is among.the remarkable powers of an autogiro invented in Germany. A market for it will be found in Abyssinia and in China, and the League of Nations may buy for the second quality mentioned. # ' # # * Catching alight when travelling at 30 miles an hour, a car in tow could not be stopped as the lights signal to the front vehicle would not work, the fire having been caused by a short circuit Ln the electrical system. The occupant, a New Plymouth man. had a fortunate escape. ' The man sat in the burning car At thirty miles an hour; He could not stop the flaming thing, 'Twas in another's power. The flames increased and made him feel It was the-werst -ef stews. But no-one can deny the fact— It was the hottest news. # # « # A mouse recently stopped the water supply of a big group of farmers near Paeroa. In its war against mankind the mouse followed the example of the League of Nations and decided to exercise sanctions. In doing so it l®st its life, which is what Mussolini considers the League has also done. That is ifi it ever was really alive. # * e # With Japan and America indulging in a limitless naval armament race it will eventually be found necessary to divide the Pacific for mooring purposes, and if warship construction continues indefinitely the ocean will be bridged by. boats. It would be wise, therefore, for the nations to co-operate in details so that by having all the ships the same Ijeight from the water .they could.be used as a motor highway between the West and the East, to the confusion of adherents of Eudyard Kipling's poem— "For East is East and West' is West, And never the twain shaE meet," is an axiom that no longer applies. The problem now is to keep them apart. * ■# * * Direct taxation stood at the wartime level, stated a member of the . British House of Commons when urging the Govemment to do everything in its power to lighten the "burden." Does he think the taxpayers are hatching a plot? * . ' # # * Discussing the suggested boycott of the Olympic Games at Tokio in 1940, a Japanese newspaper states that a boycott might be justified if Japan were in the battlefield; on the other hand she . is entirely peaceful. . She is so full of peace in fact that her soldiers have just overflowed into China for a little war practice, * # # * The Mahoenui school was burned'and replaced by a building designed on the free air principle. We would ; have thought the burning oi the old building would; give • the school all the ' free air it desired. # * * • Showing interest in the New Plymouth tramways, an overseas visitor to the town plied with questions a reporter seeking an interview.' After he had imparted information for some time the reporter asked the visitor his dpinion of the tramways at New Plymouth. The visitor only laughed. • , .# # * * The recent revue at New Plymouth was quite fantastic. # # * • # Mention of a "go slow" policy at the freezing works at Christchurch included the possibility of a stay-in strike. In view of the delightful weather at New Plymouth lately we almost travelled to Christchurch to join the strikers. It was so hot, however. that we did not have the energy to move past the first corner. . # # • * " When Hitler made his demands to Austria the terms were communlicated to Signor Mussolini with an urgent appeal for advice, but II Duce was ski-ing and did' not reply, II Duce skis while Austria goes for a skate. * * . # ' * It is also stated the Austrians were warned that Mussolini no longer is able to proVide the military help he successfully offered against Germany in 1934. He has spent so much money breaking treaties that he is no longer able to keep the terms of the rest.