LIFE’S LITTLE WANTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 22 October 1930, Page 4

LIFE’S LITTLE WANTS.

On the Job. “I always sees your ’usband in the yard nowadays, Mrs ’lggs, burning papers.” “Yus, Vs got a job distributing circulars.” # * * • Not So Dusty. “Brush yo ’ off, sail?” asked the porter. “Brush me off if you want to, but I’m opposed to tipping,” said the mat-ter-of-fact traveller. “Well, sah,” said the porter, “yo’ clothes ain’t nearly as dusty as ah thought they was.” «,* * * Suits for 4/2. All bargain records have been shattered by a noted Berlin clothing firm. Here you may now buy:— A pair of trousers for' od. A woman’s coat for 2kl. A complete suit of men’s clothes for 4s 2d. It is almost imposible to get into the shop at any time, so great is the crush of bargain-hunters. * * • * Meat for Sailors.

Referring to the great advance made by shipping companies, and their steamers, and the conditions of the workers on board ship, at the annual reunion in Napier, Captain A. MeLaclilan, of Messrs Richardson and Co., stated that despite the fact that it was only about a quarter of a century ago that he served his apprenticeship, the improvement was wonderful. He remembered one outstanding incident that remained in his mind always. When visiting Calcutta and going through the markets to purchase fresh meat, the ticketing of the purveyor was: First grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, and then “meat for sailors.” To-day, however, everything was first grade. *‘* * *

Servants’ Paradise. Is Paris the perfect place for ser vants? •

An Englishwoman, who has recently returned to London for a holiday, describes the happy fate of servants 'in Paris. “If new blocks of London flats were designed on French lines there would be no difficulty in finding London maids willing to sleep in,” she writes. “I have a position with a French family who live in a large block of' flats. * The top floor of the building is given up entirely to rooms for maids. “None of us lives with an employer; we are all together on the top floor, and it is a splendid arrangement. “When we are finished we can get away from the atmosphere of the kitchen; we are never lonely, for we can entertain each other in our own rooms, and if we come in late at night there is no one to raise an eyebrow—except the concierge,) and he is usually good-natured to us.”

Normal Economic Condition.

There are enough of every sort of statistics, charts and expert opinions to prove almost anything which anyone wishes to believe, or to justify almost any mood which one enjoys most. My observations and studies have not disturbed my basic conviction that wo are proceeding slowly towards a normal economic condition and will reach it some time within the year 1931” (writes Mr John E. Edgerton, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, in the “Review of Reviews” of America). The speed of our progress will depend —in my opinion—upon how well we have learned from recent experiences that nations, like individuals, which go on gambling sprees and undertake to accumulate surpluses in unjust ways, and without work, must pay the price in some sort of unhappy effect. Congresses cannot repeal, statisticians and experts cannot argue away, the fundamental law of life that whatsoever is sown is going to be reaped. The only defensible attitude for any accountable citizen to take is that .of an optimist, who believes that no one has greater responsibilities than he for the betterment of our country’s condition, and that he will make the very best use of all the opportunities lie has of which he is capable. Those who are busiest trying to earn the rights Avhieh they claim have comparatively little to worry about. Those of any class who are trying to collect what they have not earned by their own efforts, or to obtain immunity from the responsibilities of life, are those who are doing most of the grumbling.