TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19545, 6 April 1935, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Scandal and Slander The vicar of a southern parish attained prominence recently by means of an outspoken address on gossip and slander, which he denounced as the most malicious of sins. He said, inter alia, that there was no Averse sin than slander and taking aAvay another’s character. St. Paul, time and time again, had coupled slander Avith the other gi - oss sins, and it Avas a sin Avhich began so easily, for there Avas a very narroAv line betAveen harmless gossip and malicious slander. Nothing if) more common than a Avhispering campaign against men and Avomen prominent in our public life, and many of our best citizens rigidly refuse to take any part in our public affairs on account of this evil practice of dragging names into the social sewers and middens of our gossips and slander-mongers. No one is safe from attack, and Avhere nothing is known or can be found against the victim, a readiness for invention among the offeudex-s will soon frame up a highly-coloured and circumstantial tale, Avhich probably the victim is the last to hear and has no chance of overtaking or denying. A public campaign against the sin is urgently needed, and one of the simplest Avays of scotching it is for anyone Avho hears the calumniators at Avork to Avrite to their victim at once: state Avlmt Avas said, aaTlo said it, who Avere present as Avitnesses, and give the unfortunate person Avho has been slandered a prompt opportunity of taking action. This course proved salutary in the case of Sir John Simon, Avhosc calumniators Avere recently put to confusion. Honour for the Marines The Royal Marines, for the first time in their long existence, which dates from 10(54, are to perform Avhat arc known as “ public duties ”in London. With the King’s approval they have been chosen to relieve the Guards at Buckingham Palace when the Guards go on manoeuvres in September. Last year a Scottish regiment was given this honour, which entails the provision of guards, not only for Buckingham Palace but for St. James’ Palace and the Bank of England. Londoners in general are so accustomed to (he evening spectacle of a Guards’ detachment marching through the streets to their nightly service at the. Bank that they refuse to be thrilled even by the sound of the Scots or Irish pipes. But the Marines ought to stir home-going croivds from their apathy, since the Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot, from Avhich the Marines take their descent, Avas in 1664 recruited by beat of drum in the precincts of the City. It is for that reason that the Marines share Avith a very few regiments the privilege of marching through London with drums beating, bayonets fixed, and Colours flying.