THE PASSING SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17586, 15 December 1928, Page 13 (Supplement)

THE PASSING SHOW.

COMMENT AND CRITICISM.

(By "Free Lance.")

Characterised by dignity, sportsmanship and sincerity the late Premier's conduct in the days following his defeat was exemplary. Even his opponents were moved by Mr Coates' fine speech closing the debate on the Address in Reply. Like little children tired of fighting and wanting only to be friends the Parliamentary leaders forgot for a while their grievances, their differences and their hasty utterances and as the storms of controversy subsided they saw /.hat their opponents were not devoid of wisdom, neither were they totally incapable of good work. The re-organisation was a happy proceeding. Let us hope that inside and outside the House there will be a continuation of the goodwill and unity of purpose which prevailed.

I The Domain Board's consideration for people who might find Sunday tennis a detraction from spiritual enjoyment was commendable. Consideration, like courtesy, is a wonderful lubricant for the machinery of life. But the attitude of the member who stated that he saw no objection to golfers indulging in their game at St. Andrews but that tennis at the Hamilton courts was a different matter was difficult to understand. If his desire was solely to respect the feelings of those to whom Sunday sport is Sabbath desecration he should have expressed himself more clearly. To countenance in the slightest degree doubtful actions because they are hidden from public gaze is to, encourage deception. If Sunday tennis on the Hamilton courts is not permissible why were football matches allowed last year on the Claudelands racecourse, which is situated in a thickly-populated residential area? Cannot fairer ruling be made in the matter of Sunday sport?

An English judge commented recently on the increasing number of suicides among young people. In our own land during the last few weeks several in their teens have been unable to resist the temptation to take their lives. Behind each short statement in the press there must lie a tragic story. "Have a good time while you are young." "If you are not happy now you never will be," we older folk sometimes say. Should not youth be the time of carefree hours, of love and of laughter? Often it is. How came these to lose youth's heritage of happiness? Not infrequently young people are so reckless and so ambitious that they try .to live several lives in one and do not heed the laws of health with the result (hat they become nervous wrecks to whose distorted vision life seems not worth living. When young people have worries they feel them the keener because they are young. Finding one's vocation presents difficulties to many. Loneliness, temptation and poverty are the companions of many young men and women working In large towns or cities long before congenial friends are found. And adventures in love may or may not be happy. True it is that young folk usually make their troubles. But at what age do we not? Would it not be kind and wise to say to those who are not very happy that they may attain to greater contentment in middle life and old age? Then experience has taught us to expect less of life and we find our greatest pleasures in books, in music, in Nature's beauty, in the understanding and sympathy of friends and in the joys of'work, rather than in the chasing of rainbows and in the fulfilment of youth's desires.

A correspondent to a Southern paper protested vigorously against the ignorance of politics noticeable in many modern young men and women. When he was twenty-one, he says, he was as keen a politician as he is today. (And his powers of discernment seem to show that he is no mean authority). In his superior wisdom he really wonders whether to giva votes to flappers and hooligans is wise. The writer to whom this learned dissertation was addressed seems of the opinion that age is not always an indication of fitness to vote. With this view one is inclined to agree. Were the electors whose enthusiasm led them to throw rotten eggs at candidates, young men and women? We,re those angry agitators who "howled down" and "counted out" their Prime Minister all first-voters? Wonderful wisdom and dignity is shown by some well past their first youth!

In Christchurch the girls seem to give the trouble. «A member of a local body stated his grievance thus: "Nearly always when you want to use the public telephone you will find adapper in the box giggling and talking to some young fellow. She stays there for about half an hour and then goes and leaves her handbag behind* Then she comes back for it and disturbs whoever is then using the telephone." No wonder they have not sufficient telephone boxes! Poor man! What is he going to do about it? What a wonder he did not suggest a special "flapper ratel" That might "lam 'em!" But how did he know the flappers were talking to their boys? Evidently he was not at school the dav teacher told the class how rude it was to listen to other people's conversation and that if you did naphappen to overhear remarks the polite way was not to let on!

In setting up a film censorship board comprising Mr C. O'Reilly (present censor); Colonel L. Hurley, and Mrs E. Glencross (president of the Housewives' Association and the National Council of Women, Victoria, with Professor Wallace (Sydney University), Mr E. Black and Mrs M. LiddeLl as an appeal board, the Australian Government has apparently shown wisdom. For three to be concerned with the passing of each picture and six with doubtful films and to have views of representatives of both sexes should be much more satisfactory than leaving all responsibility to one. The inclusion of a University Professor on the Board should improve films from an educational aspect and result in the procuring of more pictures especially suitable for children. Could not a similar scheme be carried out in New Zealand? Suggestions along such lines to the Government would be more effectual than sweeping condemnations. Motion pictures have come to stay. They have a great influence. Is it not worth while endeavouring to ensure , that the influence will be elevating? J