THE PASSING SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14540, 11 December 1920, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE PASSING SHOW.

(By Free Lance.) It is gratifying to note that til 1 ! public of Hamilton, in meeting assembled, decided to proceed with tne raising of a fund with which to provide a suitable war memorial, and that the scheme d’ecided upon will be carried to full fruition all will hope. The Memorial Park scheme is an ideal one, and must appeal irresistibly to all sections of the community, for it will provide a living monument to every dead hero, while the park itself will be a constant reminder to succeeding generations of the stirring days of the war, and of the gallant part played by the young manhood'of the town, in common with all other parts of the Empire in upholding their British liberties and for the vindication or Justice, Truth, and Righteousness oo earth. * * • * •

There is, . however, room for a difference of opinion concerning the site proposed for the cenotaph. To me it seems that the majority, at last week’s meeting, failed to grasp the idea behind the original proposal—that was to keep the memorial right in the forefront of the town's activities, to be a constant reminder in the rush and whirl of business that it was only by the service and sacrifice of those who have gone that we are enabled to pursue the vocations of peace. The wisdom of erecting a general memorial in a quiet spot already fylly dedicated and inscribed to the departed, collectively and individually, is at. least doubtful, for everyone who will enter that enclosure knows its purpose. What is needed is some method to make it impossible for the multitude to forget their debt, even in their busiest hours, and that it was hoped the cenotaph would provide. The matter, however, was freely discussed at the meeting referred to, and a decision arrived at. While lam far from convinced that that decision was the best I am prepared to accept It, and sincerely wish the promoters every success in carrying out their scheme. *****

Is the use of strong language growing? It was a complaint levied against our military camps that many of the instructors indulged in some forcible speech, and it was satisfactory to note some w’eeks ago that the Defence Authorities have ordained that the matter has to be taken cognisance of, and an effort made to suppress the evil, which I fear is more prevalent than generally thought. . The other day I was in close proximity to a number of young girls at play, and I was astonished lo hear them frequently use the adjective “blooming,” and other unseemly terms. Such language from wee lassies' lips is certainly not becoming. It may be forcible, but U is not polite. *****

I have received a chain letter from a resident of the district. The original is stated to have been posted from the trenches in Flanders, and I am threatened with pains and penalties if I do not send it on to seven other' persons, posting one each day. I am going to risk Hie “great misfortune," and forfeit the “great joy" by deliberately breaking Hie chain, and 1 have no' hesitation in advising others to do likewise. I cannot imagine how sane persons can bring themselves to countenance these abominations. A couple of minutes’ calculation should be sufficient to convince anyone of the absurdity of tire thing. Presuming that the chain w : as preserved unbroken for seven manipulations it would have passed through' 5,078,801 persons’ hands, over double the population ol the Dominion, and the Postal Department would be unable to cope with the business offering. Recipients ot these favours will be doing the community a good turn if they promptly break the chain, and risk the consequences. *****

No doubt, there is an element ol superstition in these matters for the thing has been exposed many times and oft and yet there are people wno will not,care to break the chain fur fear of the implied consequences. These same folk will laugh derisively at the IMteittot, the Hindu, the Chinaman, and the Islander, because of their strange beliefs and customs, and they vaunt themselves upon their superior mentality. Possibly they regard the passing on of a chain letter as an evidence of faith, but is it not more indicative of superstitious credulity? ***** The wonders allegedly wrought by the Maori prophet Katana have appealed to the Native mind, and the representatives of the churches are being moved to think as to the significance of the matter. The Presbyterian Assembly (of which church it is said the prophet claims to be a member) set up a commission to inquire into the bona fides of the cures, and the Church of England representative, who has been on the scene, has expressed himself very guardedly on the subject, whilst those of the school ol Gallio openly deride the claims as far fetched and impossible. But arc they? We are professedly a Christian people, and we render homage to Him, who, wo believe, did great and wonderful deeds when He lived on this earth as an humble wayfarer; and He gave his followers an assurance that they would be able to do even “greater things than these” through the power of faith in His name. Rat-ana claims that it is by that power he is working, and I, for one, am content lo preserve an open mind concerning liis bona fides pending the receipt of further information.

Some folks have a queer idea of honour, and a recent incident shows to what lengths unscrupulous public men will go in order to wriggle out of an awkward situation. A member of a certain local body made some remarks which he subsequently found were not popular, therefore, to put himself right, lie, at Die next meeting, asserted that he did not make the statement attributed to him and aspersed the pressman's work. Other members, however, staled that the reporter was right, and (he member wrong, but even then lie had not the common decency to retract, but covertly reproved ids follow members for not “standing by him” in attempting to place the odium upon an innocent party. It would bo well for such a man to remember that in casting unwarrantable aspersions upon a pressman's work, he is doing him an injury for which it Is a very moot point whether an action" for damages would not lie. Apart from that, however, it betokens a very low standard of moral ethics to cast blame upon an Innocent person In ord?r to explain awaj a a awkward predicament. jYu ctc«u asji vyvuld do It.