Tine Passing Show.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19052, 16 September 1933, Page 11 (Supplement)

Tine Passing Show.

Messages from Germany are ■such as to arouse anxiety, regarding the maintenance of world peace. Herr Hitler, whatever his personal desires, has set forces in motion which he cannot control. His followers appear to have ’broken loose from -all restraint and are exhibiting a malevolent and Intolerant attitude towards those who do not see eye to eye with them that bodes ill for Germany and Europe generally. The Nazi movement is apparently spreading be-rv-ond the borders of Germany. Dr. Dollfuss the diminutive Chancellor of Austria, is stated to be on the verge of abandoning the struggle, and Hungary is to be seriously impregnated with the Nazi microbe. Nazism is developing into a fanatical religion and the accounts of the doings of its devotees proclaim it an unlovely thing. Hitler’s Germans have learned nothing from the welter'of 1914-18. They exhibit all the reprehensible characteristics which then made their nation the most atohored in Europe. i

Once more we are filled with ecstasy as we watch the world awakening and clothing herself in her beautiful springtime garments. Shakespeare tells us that the man who is not moved with concord of sweet sounds is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils. And is not the person who is unmoved by the glory of the spring equally base? In these days of c,risis many find life full of perplexing problems, but at least no fault can be found with the riches Nature bestows so freely and so lavishly for all. Who can gaze at the beauty of bright sunshine, blue ■sky, fresh grass and opening flowers without feeling that life was meant to be far more glorious than the mere existence which is the portion of so great a proportion of people and that there is something wrong with a system which allows thousands of unemployed in this fair land? • 1 • * »

The resolutions passed by the Auckland Metropolitan Unemployment Relief Committee stressing the necessity for the payment of a living wage for productive labour and suggesting the abolition of elaborate machinery for dispensing charity are steps in the right direction. There is a danger of the more affluent looking upon the dispensation of charity as part of their duty, considering that when they-have given their donation they have divested themselves of their responsibilities, to the less fortunate, and becoming more or less accustomed to the relief-worker struggling along on less than a living wage and endeavouring to extricate himself from his unenviable position. In numerous instances the poor are ignorant and extravagant, but many have been the victims of misfortune and all are deserving of a chance. Again the continuous subscription to .charity becofnes a burden on the possessor of a moderately-sized purse and a large heart. The time for reorganisation is opportune. Probably the Auckland Relief Committee is as well aware of the practical difficulties as any of their critics who may rise up and cry aloud that the Government is poverty-stricken. Usually the passing of resolutions is more easy than their fulfilment, but perhaps some half-way measures may be devised so that the proposals may be worked out in the ration of pounds, shillings and pence. The problem is a big one even for our statesmen, but surely we are right in stating that the committee is thinking along right lines.

Talkers at “The Talkies” have been proving a source of annoyance again. And

Comment and Criticism.

(By “Free Lance.”)

no wonder! After all these foolish folk do make themselves publio nuisances, when, apparently oblivious to the most touching episode of a beautiful love scene they Indulge In a little gossip—"and he says—and she says to him”—“Have a chocolate, dear” — a rustle of paper, and an interlude of munching—“l don’t like this picture much, do you? But I tell you what I think will happen. I think she goes into the convent, and then he turns up not dead at all.” One is reminded of the story of the gentleman at the symphony who was annoyed by two women behind him, who persisted in conversing continuously about their ailments. He suffered the heart trouble, •the appendicitis operation and the rheumatism. But when they commenced enlarging on the tonsils the irritation was more than human flesh could bear, and the exasperated gentleman broke forth, in chilling tones, “Pardon me, ladies, I came to the symphony, not to an organ recital.” * # * *

Because of the allegedly unnecessary damage done to the bush on- the RotoruaWaikaremoana route, the Post and Telegraph Department gang have been the butt of criticism. Fuel to the fire of controversy has been added by native owners who calmly express their intention to clear a large 'area for farming purposes. This statement is viewed with concern as the bush is among the finest in New Zealand and the opinion is expressed that some step ■should be taken to investigate the position and protect the bush under the Scenery Preservation Act. Such 'action, if at all possible, is surely justifiable as the country has not exactly reached the stage of overpopulation necessitating ruthless desecration.

Far too frequently do we see majestlo trees transformed into scorched stumips, and exquisite ferns shrivelling before tho flames. Only recently has the bush, on the Raglan deviation recovered from the mutilations of thoughleos or misguided individuals, and there are numerous instances where damage has been irreparable. The Hukanui reserve forms a marked contrast to these depredations. Here we find the allotment properly enclosed, paths formed and seats erected, the result being a delightful little park where one may rest in the shade of the tall trees and enjoy the beauties of Nature’s handiwork. Such spots are too few and far between. Much, has been written about the proposed broadcasting of the bell birds’ melodious song, but unless more care is taken, in conserving our forests these songsters will be left homeless to die by the wayside before their songs are recorded. In this country we are much too fond of feverishly exterminating our bush and then proceeding later to plant trees and pungas often in the very spots we thought ourselves so clever In clearing. Hi * . * *

The editor welcomes contributions for the correspondence columns. The response is most satisfactory, the letters evincing clear-thinking and considerable knowledge. Many and varied are the 'subjects that claim attention, but in view of the financial crisis the most’engrossing naturally are the various ramifications of the monetary problem.' Writers discuss at length such aspects as production, distribution, socialisation, stabilisation and the results of labour-saving machinery, but one little matter which apparently has not occurred to some of the more erudite is just how long the editor has to spend endeavouring to decipher their quaint hieroglyphics!