THE PASSING SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17326, 11 February 1928, Page 13 (Supplement)

THE PASSING SHOW.

COMMENT AND CRITICISM.

(By “Free Lance.”)

Hamilton during this week has celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its constitution ate a borough. It was a unique occasior but there was no “big noise” to mark it. The ex-Mayors and ex-Mayoresses were entertained by the municipality at a social function, at which the surviving member of the first council, and an ex-Mayor, presented His Worship the present Mayor with a Mayoral chain. The average citizen did not know that there was anything unusual on, beyond the fact that they were afforded an opportunity of purchasing a copy of the souvenir booklet, which no doubt many of them embraced. The growth of the town in the comparatively short period of halfa century is truly marvellous. The expectations of the most sanguine of the early citizens have been greatly exceeded, and one is forced to wonder what Hamilton will he like when it celebrates its centenary. For the first 25 years after its constitution as a borough the town practically stood still. Then things began to move, slowly, very slowly, at first, but they gathered momentum, and the town as it is to-day is practically the product of a quarter of a century. • * * ■ •

Some thinty-flve years ago Hamilton was a mere village. There was a pall of listlessncss over it and municipal honours were not held in high regard. Elections were fought on parochial lines. Vision was lacking and no one thought much of the future. Petty interests weighed heavily; public welfare was relegated to the background. An infinitesimal increase in the rates was sufficient to damn any progressive proposal. It can almost he said that the town progressed despite its inhabitants, who, having got into a rut, were content to stay there. Then a new spirit became evident. Civic pride asserted itself, and a desire became manifest to have a share, however small, in the communal activities of the town. And if it be true, al has been said, that “the people are-the “town” that is an immense gain, for, as an inspiration of life, the desire to render service to one’s fellows is second only to the love of God. Hamiltonians learned their lesson. They rose to the occasion, and when they were seized with the fact that their town was destined to become no mean city they put their hands to the plough and did not look back. The town owes much to those who during the last 30 years especially, have devoted their time, energies and talent to the furtherance of municipal interests. They have set a magnificent example for those who come after.

Hon. 0. F. Nelson, of Samoan fame, lias returned to the charge, and has made a great endeavour to justify himself and place the Administration in the wrong. In this he has failed. In all such controversies there is always an inclination lo drag a herring across the scent and to divert attention from facts, which in the Samoan case are these: Certain folks endeavoured to flout the authority of the Administrator, who in conserving the interests of the natives impinged upon monopolies hitherto manipulated by private firms and traders. Quite naturally, perhaps the llrms and traders felt aggrieved, and desired to get even with their despoiler. They therefore decided to make his life a burden. Their plan of campaign included an effort to stir up the natives, and to induce them to ignore the authority of the accredited head. A body was set up named the Mau. There is little doubt that the aggrieved traders and firms were behind the Man. ma.kibg the bullets for that irresponsible body to Arc, and also in formulating and directing its policy, Tlic Administrator, however, stood to his guns; ho refused to be over awed, but took up the gage of battle.

Then the aggrieved traders came on a mission to New Zealand to lay their grievances before Parliament. A Royal Commission was set up to investigate. That investigation was conducted in a painstaking and thorough manner, the members of the Commission being men of probity and integrity. The allegations of the traders were disproved out of the mouths of their own witnesses; the. charges against the Administrator were shown to be trumped up and without foundation and the report of the Commission thoroughly and completely vindicated the policy and actions of the New Zealand Government’s representative. The aggrieved personages, however, were not wise; they persisted in their agitation and continued to stir up strife. The Administrator recognising that they were the enemies of law and order and a menace to the peace of the islands, decided with the acquiescence of his Excellency the Governor-General in Council, that the political atmosphere of Samoa would bo much calmer if the stormy petrels were for the nonce j induced to leave their usual haunts. Orders were issued accordingly. Now Mr Nelson is in New Zealand endeavouring to glean sympathy and support, ltis mission, however, is not likely to be achieved, for bis cause is already discredited. The bubbles have been effectively pricked, and Inc people of the Dominion recognise that ihe whole problem can be thus summarised: Is Samoa to be governed by a properly constiluled Administration or by an irresponsible body of agitators?

Social workers express great concern as to the prospects for the forthcoming winter. They declare that bad as were the conditions in 1927, those In 1928 give promise of being infinitely worse. There are hundreds now in the chief centres who are unable to get employment, and affording a measure of relief is a problem which will become accentuated with the advent of cold weather. A well-known Auckland mission worker expresses apprehension and foreboding as to the probabilities, and declares that he does not like the attitude the men are disposed to take up. He states that while there are some loafers in tin ranks who do not want employment the overwhelming majority arc genuine oases, who cannot get work, and there is no'lndication that the. position will improve. Aten in such plight are prone to bccomo desperate and when hungry men become desperate they do not stand on argument.

“It is recent history that a certain big landlord in Auckland watched the relief recipients in the holidays, and a woman who gathered £2 for food and fuel for tho home found him on the doorstep before her, waiting for (he money. So threatening was he that she gave him the Jot. The family of four went unfed and unfrocked. Men who have dependents requiring tho merest necessaries of life are not to brook action of that sort.