THE PASSING SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17632, 9 February 1929, Page 13 (Supplement)

THE PASSING SHOW.

COMMENT AND CRITICISM. (By “Free Lance.") The visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to the distressed areas of Britain revealed the Heir Apparent in another most pleasing phase. At the time of crisis he always rises to the occasion and does the right thing. His recent journey from almost the heart of Africa to the bedside of his stricken father showed that in the excellent trait of filial affection he was not lacking, and his stirring appeal to Britain’s millions at the Christmas season not to forget the claims of their less fortunate countrymen in thu mining areas made a great impression upon the nation and resulted in large sums being contributed In the Lord Mayor’s Fund. Now His Royal Highness has furthered the good work by a personal mission, undertaken without ostentation or display, to the affected districts; and the immediate outcome of the tour and the prominence the festering sore in the industrial system has received in consequence, must result in redoubled efforts to solve a problem which has heretofore baffled statesmen, politicians and philanthropists.

There is a disposition on the part of the multitude to follow the example of the ostrich and to imagine that what is not immediately discernible does not exist. It is safe to say that thousands in Britain failed to realise the immensity of the trouble to which His Royal Highness has now drawn such pointed attention. The Prince has revealed the sore in all its hideousness, and thought will now be directed upon it from all angles in an effort to find a remedy. But to be effective there must be close co-operation between all parties, and not the least important essential is a determination on the part of the unfortunate persons to adapt themselves to altered conditions and to seize every opportunity to improve their positions. Without such determination on the part of those most directly concerned any attempt to effect a solution must be futile. Much was expected from last year's effort to transfer several thousand miners .to Canada for the wheat harvest, and it must have been somewhat discouraging to those who suggested the experiment that only a comparatively few decided to adopt the work provided for them at the conclusion of the harvest and remain in the Dominion. About four-fifths of the original contingent returned to Britain to resume the old conditions. If the people arc unwilling to help themselves, if they are content to be spoon-fed they are in a hopeless case, it will be deplorable if events prove Lliat the unfortunate people’s sense of independence has been undermined and are indisposed to heartily second any effort made on their behalf. Unless a man is willing to be raised it is impossible to raise him, and when self-respect has been lost the case becomes hopeless.

“Free Lance’’ was talking to a settler the other day, and unemployment came under review. The settler, who, it may be stated, does not reside in this district, was very bitter regarding those who posed as unemployed and .were traversing the country in search of work. He declared that at the time of the hay harvest two young, able-bodied men called at his holding and asked for work. Being hard put to at the time he offered them several days’ work at 2s per hour and found for saving hay, and they would not accept, declaring that the work was too hard. They left the farm without assistance of any kind, for not unnaturally the settler decided that as they would not work they should not eat at his expense. 'l’hc narrator stated that this was by no means an isolated instance: it was a common experience in the district, which was much frequented by swaggers, for offers of work to be refused on the plea that it was “100 hard." There can be only one end to such a career—gaol or poverty—and one cannot waste sympathy on such men. But if the inhabitants of the mining villages in Britain arc imbued with the spirit of these “won’t works” the outlook is serious indeed.

“Is Arapuni safe?’’ large headlines ask again and again. If ever there were a question with two sides this is one. In highly technical language we are told of the location of ruptures, of leakage, and of insecure foundations. Then, just as many are becoming hot and bothered and nervous over the gloomy prophecies, up speaks another authority who soothes us by saying that there is really no need for alarm and no need to take notice of these spoutings and crackings, for they are explainable. If we desire to visit the dam in order to see for ourselves we may come away more baffled than ever, the one thing we are sure of being that we should not like to be responsible for such a gigantic scheme. However, we may console ourselves with the thought that matters cannot no serious or Lhe Government would have more to say!

Some excitement and a few minutes' anxiety were caused at the regatta on Anniversary Day when a speed boat overturned. Fortunately the occupants soon reached the bank. Far more serious was a similar accident which occurred the other day in the Dunedin harbour. As the launch turned a sharp corner two men were thrown out. One was rescued. The other, though a prominent yachtsman and a member of the Harbour Boating Club Committee, \vas unable to swim, and was not even sighted. In the interests of the safety of all concerned surely those engaging in the somewhat risky sport of speed boating should become at least moderate swimmers.

It is the time of game Ashing. Large swordfish and mako sharks show their enthusiasm and eagerness for the sport by attaching themselves to the lines by twos and threes. Accounts of catches seem to eclipse all former bigfish stories. One monger jumped 22 times and travelled 50 yards on its tail. None but a few cranks would condemn the catching of small Ash which as an industry is valuable and as a pastime is proAtable and pleasant. But what of game Ashing? Often are we told of these Ash giving beautiful exhibitions of jumping for 35 minutes or an hour. Of course the man whose favourite sport is big Ashing will say blandly: “Oh, but Ash really don’t feel pain, you know.’’ Perhaps their jumps express the joy they feel at death’s approach. Let us hope so.