THE ROAD TO COMFORT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 4927, 22 January 1902, Page 4

THE ROAD TO COMFORT.

From the moment that the little genius comes into the world tbe father's troubles never cease until the son at last settles down comfortably in some profession. The son has children in his turn, and his troubles ceases only when bis sons settle down comfortably in some profession. The question, tbe cause of all the trouble, is, What profession ? In some cases the matter is easily settled. If the father is at the head of some big business concern he takes it for granted that bis sons will join him and keep the affair 'in the family.' Very often if the father rises to fame in some profession, if he is a celebrated doctor, painter, soldier, musician, at least one of his sons follows him. It is a somewhat remarkable fact that the sons of poets, far from being poets themselves, are usually very prosaic persons ; but with regard to many other callings the rule holds. Bach's Bons were all musicians ; the son of Mozart was a musician ; and it the names of Handel and Beethoven did not persist in their art after their death, this cannot even be said to form the exception that proves tbe rule, because they bad no Bons. Sir Henry Irving's son is often described as an accomplished actor ; the son of Lord Koberts was a eoldier, and was killed in South Africa. When the father has a great name it is inevitable that the son should find the line of least resistance in his father's occupation, where is influence, and often a good deal of money in addition. And indeed wherever there is money the father's and the son's difficulty is smoothed away in this age. Money is a sharp-edged tool that will enable any man of average ability to cut a road for himself in almoßtany trade. Or, as Tennyson said — Every door is barr'd with gold, and opens but to golden keys. Therefore we find in all ages a number of respectable mediocrities high in their professions ; we find them in the Academy, in the Law Courts, in tbe city, and on the front benches of the House of Common?. Only awe of our ' old nobility ' prevents us referring to the Mouse of Lords. In fact, the difficulty of finding a suitable profession for the son arises in the richer classes only when the father fixes on one which the son instinctively dislikes. As a rule, we have observed, the son succumbs before the superior force of cash, but there are plenty of cases on record in which parent and child have gone each his own way, with, as result, disinheritance and family ostracism — for tbe son, of course.

These things are, however, by comparison the merest bagatelles. Often, in all the social grades it may be difficult enough, or even too difficult, to find a profession. But the bitter, cruel question arises mainly in the poorer middle classes. After the head of the family has honestly or dishonestly toiled to educate his children according to bis lights, after he has ' kept up appearances ' for many tedious years, he naturally wishes his sons to do the same ; and there lies the problem. How ? During the last 20 or 30 years the ordinary, stodgy ruts of life have become chocked in an astonishing degree. While the laborers, the farm hands, and the factory bands have gone on in tbe old way, troubled only by an increasing population and a rapidly diminishing national trade, the provinces of the clerks, tbe shopkeepers, tbe schoolmasters, and so on, have been invaded by the product of the Board schools. Steadily, or rather by leaps and bounds, the new richer classes are growing richer and tbe poorer middle classes poorer. The old respectab'Jtity can no longer be sustained with the old ease. Decent poverty is becoming impracticable. In many walks of life it is Btill possible that exceptional native gifts, will, and luck, will land a man in a good position ; but woe to the man without the gifts, the will, and the luck— each day to tbe end of his life he will find bis bread harder to earn. Such callings are those of schoolmaster, tradesman, doctor, painter, perhaps musician. But there are many in which, with or withuot ability or luck, it is simply impossible to gain a comfortable livelihood. A typical instance is that of clerk. The wages of clerks have gone down dnriDg the last few years ; and as tbe Board schools pour out streams of young boys who can read and write and add up rows of figures, they will sink still lower. Even an employment in a Government office will not much longer remain a secure and moderately comfortable position. With our rapidly increasing taxation the cry for economy may become irresistible, and the powers that be will see to it that the first salaries to be cut down are those of the wont- paid officials.

The Directors of a dairy oomnany In tbe Rangitikdi district are muoh concerned at the deterioration in tbe quality of their bat tersoon after manufacture. Although tbe most up-to-date appliances are in use and tbe utmost care is being tsken to produoe a first-olass article, the quality of tbis season's output is not up to l»at year's standard. The management is puzzled how to account tor tbe present unsatisfactory state of things and tbe Dairy Oommisiioner has arranged to visit tbe Nctory with tbe object of endeavoring to eluoidate tbe mystery.

Be Cabeful.- You wont drink poisonous wine knowngly— why, therefore, drink poison oas tea ? Avoid Ohina tea, which is now adulterated out of all resemblance ; also avoid blends," for tbe average is vile tea disguised with a little good. Tbe uniform pure tea, Ceylon, and tbe name it bas is as famous as i bat island itseIf— NIRVANA. We are informed tbat Nirvana Tea it packed under British supervision, and guaranteed pure and delicious by a responsible company. Ik is packed in lead in pounds and half-pounds, &nd tbe local agent, Mr F. Oadaille, Lawrence, will be pleased to supply the require* n ents of those disposed to purchase a thoroughly pure and reliable Ceylon tea.

Fob tbe forthcoming London and coloi Ul wool sales 211,437 balei have arrived ; 01,000 have been forwarded direct to the manufacturer*, and 193.000 are available for tbe sales. Messrs Dulgety and Co. report having received tbe following cable from their bead offioe, dated London, Monday, 13th inst. :— ♦• The list of arrival! is olosed, •od all ycur wools have arrived in timr. The dpw arrivals havo amounted to 206,000 bales, of which 61,000 bave been forwarded direct to manufacturers at bom and a broad, 'leaving 192,000 bales available for sale. Private s»les since the close of last series bave amounted to 1 000 bales. Tbe improvement indicated continues."

The choicest tea. grown.— Why buy inferior when you can get Kozio »t same price or less? Have yon tried tbe 2i quality, a delicious afternoon tea ? A redaction of 2-i per lb wben * 51b tin is parobased.