THE PASSING SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14776, 15 October 1921, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE PASSING SHOW.

COMMENT AND CRITICISM. (By Free Lance). The deputation which waited upon Mr Massey on Tuesday succeeded in arousing the Premier, and was given information for which the public had I n long waiting. There have been vague rumours concerning economies, and retrenchment, but these were regarded as intangible. The farmers, by their very dolefulncss, "drew" the head of the Government, and were told that already the pruning hook had been applied to public expenditure to the tune of £1.500,000, and that a further £2,000,000 could be saved without dire results to the public services. This, no doubt, was gratifying news to the deputationists; but mctliinks, there will be considerable misgivings in some quarters pending details of the special commission's report. • • n m m The announcement that U Is possible to save £3,500.000 in public expenditure without serious impairment has, not unnaturally, occasioned much comment as to the extravagance rampant in die services and in other directions. Apparently a system of addition has come into force until the State's paysheet has indeed become a burden. I saw a statement the other day that the Slate's employees totalled four per 100 of Iho Dominion's population. In the face of figures like that there should be little difficulty in effecting reductions. Efficiency is frequently more a matter of organisation than numerical service, and observers have long been convinced that organisation is lacking in the State departments. • o « • « .. I note that a southern local body has raised a protest at the publication of details of executions, and with that, protest I am fully in accord. No good purpose can be served by the announcement that the condemned man was attired in a certain way, that his arms were bound to his side, that he took a. last fleeting glance at the patch of blue sky overhead, that he had to be assisted up the fatal steps, etc.. etc. This all ministers to the morbidly minded, and cannot have an elevating influence upon the community. A terse sentence that the malefactor has paid the full penalty for his dreadful act is surely sufficient. The public have a right to know that the sentence of the Court has been carried out. More than that is not desirable. In days of old when hangings were carried out in public, the prisoner was often exalted as a sort of hero, with the result that the gallows were largely robbed of their ignominy.

In connection with the case of the unfortunate lad Te Knhu, I was struck with a statement, made by Dr. Listoii, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, who said in an interview: —"Now thai Tc Kahu lias paid the penalty for the crime against society, it seems time to say he owed little, if anything, to society. He was brought up and lived wholly outside the refinements of society, and the restraining and ennobling influences of religion; indeed, until a fortnight ago he barely knew there was a God to whom he was responsible. What prompted the condemned man to ask to see a priest just two weeks ago, I do not know. I only know it is the priest's business, as well as his privilege, to go about his Master's work, and care for the sinner as Hie Saviour cared for the thief-murderer who hung at His side long ago. So Tc Kahu received instruction in his own tongue about his Maker, heard for the first time the story of the Godman's tender'love and boundless forgiveness, was baptised a Catholic, found and asked pardon, and was followed to the end" by the consoling ministrations of the Catholic Church."

The Bishop has raised a question which must cause considerable heartsearching amongst "those who profess and call themselves Christians," as to whether they arc not in a measure accountable for the dreadful deed perpetrated at Ongaroto on Easter Sunday, 1921. Tc Kahu had, as was apparent from Ihe evidence adduced at his trials, been brought into close contact with European vices. I!e knew all there was to know about "two-up" schools and oilier degenerating institutions, hut he had been afforded no opportunity of becoming conversant with the ennobling ideas for which the Christian Church stands. Who was responsible for his ignorance? It is surely a commentary upon the laxity of the Church in proclaiming the Evangel. In her anxiety to carry the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth, she is apparently overlooking the injunction "lo "Begin at Jerusalem."

Mr J. 0. Coates. the PostmasterGeneral, has brought a hornet's nest about his ears by his rural mail service proposals. The selllers are everywhere up in arms, and some of the remarks made are far from complimentary. Mr Coates. when he formulated the scheme, persuaded himself that he had evolved something which would confer vast, benefit upon the outback settlers —something calculated to assist (hem in making life worth living. Alas! The settlers do not view it in the same perspective, and the liability'of paying £ : ~ for a service which many have enjoyed for a lengthy period for half that amount, will. I am afraid, be allowed lo weigh heavily againsl any benefits which it is hoped In confer. The settlers fully recognise the convenience of the rural delivery, but they cannot, discern the justness of the £2 demand. Developments will be awaited.

One regrettable feature of the controversy is Ihe prnncness to raise the Country v. Town crv. Various speakers have rontrasled Ihe lot of Ihe lown dweller with llial of liie counlry resident, laying; »■ 111r•!i;;sis upon Ihe advantages enjoyed by the former and the ilistbililies under which the latter labour, li would be well If nil would bear in mind Ihe law of eompensalions. If each sidi' would pause a while and count up Ihe respective blessings, they would proliably be foreed In Ihe contention thai liie advantages are just about, balanced.

The so ss of Ihe Municipal Band al l|ie Thames Contest was received with enthusiasm by Hamiltonians, who recognise ttiat in Conductor Croxford and his men the town has a valuable asset, and of which Ihey are justly prowl. Thai Ihe bandsmen have earned 1 licit" popularity goes without saying, for 'a mop. l public-spirited body of musicians il would be difficult to find anywhere. They are always eager In render service. The bone is general thai Ihey will essay even greater things, ami asa'end still higher the Mountain of Fame.