THE PASSING SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16815, 5 June 1926, Page 13 (Supplement)

THE PASSING SHOW.

COMMENT AND CRITICISM.

(By “Free Lance.”)

Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., has, so “Free Lance's” fellow scribes inform him, recently altered an arrangement which has prevailed at the Hamilton Courthouse for the past twenty years or so. The innovation referred to is a change in the position of the table set apart for use by the newspaper reporters. This formerly stood just beneath and to one side of the Clerk or the Court’s desk. Now it has been moved over to the side of the room next to the passage. Despite Hie fact that it brings them nearer to the fireplace the reporters are not enamoured of the change, which means that witnesses in the box, whilst speaking to the Dench, have their backs to the pressmen, increasing the latters’ difliculty in obtaining a correct record of the evidence. Some witnesses’ words are not too easy to catch even under the most favourable conditions.

Of course, if the presence, of the reporters’ table in its former position seriously inconveniences the occupant of the Bench, this constitutes the best of reasons for moving it. But the local scribes wish respectfully to point out to Mr Wilson that there are no sons if Anak amongst their number, and, therefore, they should not, when seated in their places, interpose any formidable barrier between the Magistrate and the eloquence from counsel’s tables. Personally, “Free Lance” prefers to believe that Mr Wilson ordered the change out of consideration for the pressmen’s bodily comfort —so that they might be nearer to the Are. But it seems reporters are such a hardy race that they would prefer the old order and would take it as a kindly act on Mr Wilson’s part to issue the command, “As you were."

The problem that local bodies and Main Highways Boards are up against in providing roads that will stand up to the requirements of modern motor traffic in this district have once more become strikingly apparent with the advent of wet weather, even to one who is very little upon the roads. To take as an instance the piece of highway between No. 1 Bridge and Vardon Hoad. A few weeks ago this was in excellent order, but with a month ol’ wet weather (admittedly worse than is common) is again a mass of potholes. Nor is it easy to suggest how the controlling authorities, however anxious they may be, can do much to improve matters short of laying the road down in some material impervious to water.

This, of course, will come in time, but meanwhile the thoroughfare is literally in a shocking condition. Under the circumstances ,it is rather wonderful that matters are not worse. Taranaki was jeered at for reverting to the archaic wtien it erected toll gates to raise revenue for tar sealing, but although the toll gates there have now been done away with their purpose lias been served and most of-the principal roads in that province would be a joy to Waikato motorists to-day Could they be transported hither.

One must admit having regarded it as rather unfortunate that, with considerable talk of unemployment in New Zealand, and winter just beginning, 2200 immigrants should have arrived here on four ships which recently reached these shores. It came as a relief, therefore, to read the statement of Mr H. D. Thomson, head of the Immigration Department, to the effect that all these newcomers had been placed, it was also reassuring to read Mr Thomson's unqualified contradiction of wild generalities to the effect that shop girls and other workers had been “sacked” to make room for “liomies.” Most native-born New Zealanders, whether personally affected or not, would hardly approve of such a course, and would prefer immigration to slacken. But it would bo a great mistake to take as Gospel the sweeping assertions of irresponsible people upon this matter, and the concrete facts as expounded by the head ot the Immigration Department will, it is to ho hoped, wipe out to a large cxlcnt any apprehensions which may have existed previously.

Whilst on the subject of immigration, it is to be feared that people in the Old Country arc sometimes treated to “fairy tales” regarding some aspects of life in New Zealand. A correspondent who says she lias lived in this country for seven years, lias forwarded to the “Ilawcra Star" a clipping from an English-journal, reporting an address on New Zealand given at a luncheon of the West Ham Rotarians. Amongst other tilings Hie speaker seems lo have told his audience that “grapes were so plentiful that a shilling woud buy a bucket fill of luscious grapes. Port wine at sixpence, a bottle was far better than that costing 5s in this country. Being pure grape juice it had more ‘kick’ in it. Peaches were sold in the market at one penny per pound." All one can say is that if Hie lecturer was not drawing upon his imagination lie must have been very lucky, whilst here. New Zealand doesn’t regard blackberries as an asset,, but one doubts whether a bucket of blackberries, let clone grapes, could be bought here for a shilling, and one fancies it is some considerable 'lime since peaches could lie had at a penny a pound. As for the port wine at sixpence per botllc one would prefer lo try it on tiic dog first before taking Hie risk of a tumblerful. Ho also told them that there wore no Faxes oulside land tax. Now where did lie gel that? It is a disgusting thing for us lo read jusl as we have struggled more or less successfully to till up the particulars ot our income (for taxation purposes) on the forms kindly supplied by the Commissioner of taxes.

Some people seem inclined to find fault with the new Minister of Education, lion. Mr Wright, for having expressed fear of the congestion of the professions as the result of so many voiiiur people taking secondary education. The Minister disclaimed any intention of saying anything against education. One fully believes him and considers lie was talking sense. Education should he as valuable to artisans as io others. Without doubt many of the professions are tending to become, overcrowded and one fancies that many secondary school pupils will shortly find better prospects as tradesmen than as underpaid assistants in ••professional" occupations.