CURRENT TOPICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12085, 14 August 1917, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

THE LATE MR WHITCOMBE. The death of Mr G. IT. Whitcombe, Now Zealand's leading miblisher, will be regretted by very many outside the immediate circle of his friends in th'ls city. His firm has won a very wide reputation for enterprise and courage in introducing New Zealand authors to the world, and for the publication of the work of specialists which otherwise might not have gained a wide public, and the chief mover in this practicr.l exhibition of faith in New Zealand creative talent and in the value of scientific research in Australasia was Mr Whitcombe himself. With a keen business sense he combined a fine literary insight, and he was quick to per-ceiA-e the merits of a literature that reflected something of the real New Zealand life and preserved for future generations pictures of the Dominion in its young; and adventurous years. Mr Whitcombe knew something of that dramatic colonial life himself, for he saw New Zealand whiie it was still troubled bv local wars, and his earliest experience in the Dominion was a period of service in the frontier military corps, the Armed ConstabularyThat practical acquaintanceship with the life of nation-makine no doubt had its influence in later years in arousing Mr Whitcombe's sympathy with those who endeavoured to place on record somethinsr of the most romantic eras of New Zealand's history. His interest in educational progress found practical expression, too, in the compilation of series of text-books, which became widely used throughout Australasia and Avhich admirablv conveyed to colonial children the information for which they would have looked in vain in foreign-made school books. In such directions Mr Whitcombe exerted a useful influence that was in large degree due to his sincere enthusiasm for the land in which he founded his fortunes and for the talent which was native to the soil. He possessed sufficient confidence in New Zealand to develop to the best of his ability what literature so young a land could produce; and his faith in "local production " set; an example which might well be imitated in other walks of life, even by the State, which has not always adhered to the soundly patriotic policy of preference for New Zealanders. PRESIDENT WBLSON IN WAR TIME. The Washington correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" writes that President Wilson, facing the worries and tremendous responsibilities of Avar, is in -orieet mental health and physical condition, and that although sixty years of age, he acts and looks like a man of forty. The President attribute* his fine physical condition to his fondness for outdoor exercises and plenty of fresh air. In good or bad weather he may be found on the golf links or takimr long wa,lks with Mr« Wilson. "Relieve the mind by exposing it to the sunshine," appears to be the President's creed. After making his momentous decisions Dr Wilson plays golf usually, ;ind he chooses a box in a theatre whenever he wishes to ponder over a crisis. Dr Gary T. Grayson, th< President's private physician, has played a prominent part in keeping him strong and Avell. The young Southern doctor is intimately acquainted Avith his distinguished chief, and whenever a danger signal is flashed along th P President's system, Dr Gravson '' catches " it in it's inception, and sends the. patient to bed to rest. Dr Wilson and Dr Gravson may always- be seen together when an international snarl is being dealt with. Tney may either play golf together or ride about the Washington drives. The President's everyday habits are extremely regular. He keeps appointments with himself with the same "strict accountability" as with callers. He has breakfast in his rooms, luncheon is ahvavs at one o'clock on the dot, and seven o'clock dinner is the rule. By holding to these few simple rules of living, the President finds himself—a war President—physically and mentally fit to cope with the big problems ahead. THE PEOPLE'S SAVINGS, The first annual report of the British National War Savings Committee is a highly interesting document. Tt is yet scarcely a year since the committee began in earnest its work of education and organisation, and there are now 32,614 local savings associations at Avork .receiving small sums Avcekly from something like three million members, " draAvn probably in the main from those Avho have not previously saved, and who have been induced to do so by a system of collective saving."' These three millions of people have contributed upwards of £118,000,000 to the carrying on of the Avar. This is a truly remarkable result, amounting in itself to a very respectable War Loan. For this satisfactory stfrto of things great credit is dve to the workers On the local bodies, Avho have done missionary Avork for this good cause with admirable energy. Appeals from the committee in London, hoAvever, persuasively framed and advertised, could never hare induced people Avho had not previously formed the saving habit invest their sixpences and shillings unless they had been seconded so ably and enthusiastically by members of the local committees. There is still Avork for these missionaries. More asscciations may still be formed, and more people induced to save and secure "a stake in the country." A specially satisfactory feature of the Avork is the attention which has been paid to the younger generation. The children have been taught the lesson of thrift, and in turn have helped Ito teach their parents. It may reasonably be hoped that the habit will remain after, the immediate need caused by the war has passed.