RE-ACTION.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 11, 15 November 1919, Page 3

RE-ACTION.

Our Perpetual Jazz.

MEN habituated for long periods to trying toil, especially in dangerous occupations, or away from civilisation, re-act—when they "get off the chain." News comes from many countries tliat the whole populations have " gone on the spree," like ex-soldiers, bush--nieu, firemen, sailors. London, Paris, Berlin, and other great cities have given themselves up to wild bursts of dissipation and relaxation —re-acting after enforced prohibition of pleasure. • • • The war profiteer vulgarly displays his wealth by squandering it recklessly just as a fireman who has been grilled like a steak for a few months hurls his hard-earned money into passionate pleasure, much to the consternation and horror of the unco gnid, who have never been grilled, and who lack the temptation to physically re-act. For whole countries to go on the razzle after war has been a common human failing throughout the generations, and the reason why New Zealand has not joined the "begone dull car©" brigade, i§ that while other countries have had the war brought to their own doorsteps, New Zealand watched it from the box seat and took tickets at the door, so to speak.

Our superiority to the savage reactionary emotions which are being so deplored in older countries by people incapable of joy, is not always proved but it is noticeable that the folk who splash money about as a war reaction are not those who have the most money to splash. They are as a race more than "canny," and often belong to institutions that forbid outward expressions of passionate enjoyment that costs money. That we are capable of expressing violent emotions of pleasure has been proved, say, twice in five years, but we are yet too self-oonscious as a people to "hit it up" in the London way, or get "over the odds," as Paris surely does. The idea of public feasting or public drinking, common to Continental peoples, would bo anathema to us. We shall perhaps, as the seasons creep along the

years, take our pleasures less sadly, and whoop with joy when there is anything to whoop at. • ■ • * When a war occurs in New Zealand, and is ended, we shall jazz and "go on the spree," and act the "giddy goat," just as if we were Parisians or Londoners.