THE PASSING SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17220, 1 October 1927, Page 13 (Supplement)

THE PASSING SHOW.

COIW{WENT fiMD CRITICISM.

(By “Free Lance.")

Ere these notes are scanned by readers the Raglan election will have been decided, and the fervour and excitement which have been so largely in evidence during the past fortnight will have largely died down. The contest surely has been a unique one, for Ministers, party leaders, and ordinary members of Parliament have been as plentiful in the Raglan electorate as blackberries in autumn. “Free Lance” notes that a correspondent to. the Times has suggested that a law should be passed prohibiting the holding of a by-election while Parliament is in session. In the light of experience “Free Lance” considers the proposal a good one, for apparently it is impossible for members to settle down to work while an election campaign is in progress. The whole business has been mighty near a scandal. It would have been more dignified had the party leaders been content to Ft the respective candidates tight their own battles. When Premiers and party leaders have to rush to the scene it betokens a lack of confidence in the ability of the candidate to expound the policy for which he stands. But probably the diarrhoea of words to which electors were treated had very little effect on them. They had picked their man from the start, and having made up their minds as to the candidate in whose favour they would cast their vote the persuasive eloquence of Goates-Holland-Veitch-Ward and Co. would have little effect.

A correspondent takes exception to “Free Lance's” contention that it is unjust to compel a housc-owmer to lease a house to a person whom he does not desire as a tenant. The correspondent argues that as it is deemed just to require a proprietor of a licensed house to provide accommodation for a wayfarer without discrimination, so it must be just to compel a houseowner to accept a tenant on the same terms. The eases are not analagous. Mine Host secures his license on an undertaking that accommodation will be provided for the travelling public to the extent named in his application for a license, lie obtains a privilege from the State in consideration of his undertaking; but all the same the applicant for the accommodation must be prepared to comply with the tariff of the publican, and to that extent the latter possesses discriminatory power. There is, however, no law to compel a private boardinghouse keeper to take in any applic-ant—-not being licensed he has house freedom. To be logical, if it is right for the State to compel the owner of a house to let it to anyone, it must also be right to compel the citizen who has a spare bed in bis residence to let any vagrant or undesirable occupy it upon application. That step might be welcomed by some folk, but “Free Lance” is certainly not of the number. He known it Is risky. ~ The decision of the Waikato Centred Agricultural and Pastoral Association to arrange for a Cambridge court at the 1928 Waikato Winter Show is commendable, and “Free Lance” would like to see other centres following the example. District courts are a splendid method of bringing the capabilities and resources of a district prominently before show patrons. They lead to inquiry and induce settlement. Also they have a splendid indirect effect—they promote friendly rivalry and break down petty parochialism by inculcating the fact that the whole is greater than a part, and that setting forth the charms of any particular district means furthering the interests of ail. The Winter Show is a Waikato institution. Such acion as that of the Cambridge folk emphasises that fact. * * * * Again the civilised world has been agog at the edifying spectacle of two animals in a 24ft x 24l't ring pounding each other into insensibilty for dollars. The details of the gory contest were eagerly scanned, and patrons asked for more. Dempsey, one account told us, had his eyes damaged and his face streamed with blood, but he persisted to the end. We have not evolved far in our tastes from those of the Ancient Romans. “Free Lance” is satisfied that if a gladiatorial combat could be arranged, and it were judicially advertised, thousands of our enlightened Twenty Gcnturyites would • dock thereto, and, further, that a large percentage would turn their thumbs down if the unfortunate wretch who “had it” had carried their half-dollar.

Hamilton has been honoured during the week by a bevy of beauties'who have been induced to exhibit their charms to the vulgar gaze. For three nights they held the boards in a local theatre, and they gave a matinee on Monday in which his Worship the Mayor presided. The beauties were particularly honoured. When other distinguished visitors ha\e been accorded a civic reception the ceremony has taken place generally in a public building; but the bevy were lifted up on high, where patrician and plebeian alike were treated to the beauteous spectacle. Can it be that his Worship the Mayor had been innocently induced to participate in an advertising stunt?

As the work on the riverbank at the end of Alma Street progresses it becomes evident that the critics were a little premature in their comments. In the first stage, when ruthless hands were laid on the acacias and other growth, and the bank laid bare in naked ugliness, it certainly looked as if a hand of vandals was abroad. It was'felt that if those responsible had planned to produce something more beautiful than the original they had undertaken a rather large contract. It is now- plain that they were ambitious, hut their scheme was well thought out, and “ Free Lance ” is confident that in a few months hence the end of Alma Street will he acknowledged the show place of the borough—and that is saying much.

A young theological student in Auckland has conscientious scruples against military training. He has been taken before the magistrate, where he maintained his attitude, but he was accorded a most unsympathetic hearing, His Worship making some very personal remarks, which came ill from a dignitary of the Bench and a dispenser of justice. There are those, maybe, xi’ho develop a conscience in order to escape certain obligations, but there arc unquestionably those who are perfectly sincere in their objection to military training, and these are entitled !o respect. The difference between the two classes can be readily gauged, if suitable tests are applied. But to whichever class the Auckland student belongs, there is no doubt the magistrate overstepped the bounds of decency- and dignity.