The Passing Show.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19663, 24 August 1935, Page 13 (Supplement)

The Passing Show.

WHAT ABOUT IT? MR DEBUCHI, leader -of the Japanese mission now in New Zealand, says Ills mission is one of peace and 'goodwill, the simple friendly visit of one good neighhour to another. In that case Mr Forbes had better scrap all those costly anti-air-craft guns and planes recently ordered by the Government. * * * MULES AND FAME. Abyssinia is famous for its mules, according to a writer. After Mussolini’s attitude at the Three-Power Conference, we can with confidence ascribe a similar fame to Italy. * * * SAY IT WITH HATE. “Other people, other ways” hut all the same it is mighty difficult for a provincialminded New Zealander to understand just what arc the social, economic or any other forces behind a solemn statement from Berlin that “Munich held a day of hate against the Jews.” One seems to have gained the impression that Germany was a civilised nation long before 1935, a race of intellectual giants, a race which produced an army of brilliant composers, writers and philosophers. Somehow one does not associate the magnificent thoughts of Goethe, Nietsche and Schiller or the soulful symphonies of Beethoven or the brilliant psychology of Freud with hate. Here in little New Zealand, remote from the progressive movements of modern Europe, we are inclined to regard hate as a rather old-fashioned word signifying a rather old-fashioned emotion. We disapprove, we criticise, we pity, hut we hate — no! Just what satisfaction do the burgesses of Munich get from marking a special occasion for "hate.” How is it expressed? Do they sit silently in rows making fierce grimaces and periodically uttering barbaric yells? Few of us have been able to understand fully this Teutonic idea of hate but perhaps we are not civilised enough yet. # * * “MUM’S THE WORD." When he returned from his 'trip to England, Mr P. D. N. Verschaffelt, former Public Service Commissioner, told a reporter that he’wished to “hear nothing, see nothing and say nothing.” But what would be more interesting from the elector’s point of view would be whether he wishes to “do nothing.” We wonder if Mr Vcrschaffolt’s attitude is inspired by an old Yorkshire rhyme:— See all, hear all, say no’t Eat all, drink all, pay no’t An’ if th’ ever does o’t for no’t Do it for thi-sen (yourself). * * * POLICY OF THE GAG. As a matter of fact Mr Verschaffelt’s "say no’t” policy is characteristic of the civil service. Mussolini or Hitler never applied a gag which was more effective than that which—officially at all events —closes the mouths of New Zealand civil servants. From the aspect of public expediency there is probably justification for secrecy up to a point on some questions. For instance, few people would agree that the best interests, of the public would be served if the public,

Comment and Criticism.

(By “Free Lanoe.”)

per media of the press, had unrestricted access to the police flies ala Americana. On the other hand, we have the argument that taxpayers are entitled to know all there is to know about the services which they pay so much to maintain. sit & * REDUCTIO AD ABSURDUM. Oyster-like heads of Government depart* ments are the bete-noir of every newspaperman, especially when their stolid refusal to give news is allied to a brusque and surly manner. Strange as it seems, there are actually some officials who, if Arapuni dam had burst and waters were flooding towns and villages throughout the Waikato, would refuse to deny or confirm a report to that effect. If they were asked whether the •weather was. w r et or fine they would make a noise like an ostrich burying its head in the sand and decline to answer. Fortunately there are few public officials bone-headed enough to carry departmental instructions to such farcical lengths. * # * RATTLES FOR RACING. Mention in a cabled Item the other ''day ■that rattles should replace whips for urging racehorses to victory naturally prompts the question: Has the Plunket Society approved of this? If Plunket can build bonnie babies there seems to be no reason why it should not build fast racehorses and a rattle could be only the first step in a whole series of ■experiments designed to speed up the sport of kings (and, incidentally, eliminate cruelty). Disappointed punters could have their drooping spirits revived with a teaspoonful of karlol while a spot of milk of magnesia for riders might make all the difference between win and defeat. Fourhourly feeding, too, should wflrk wonders' with some Te Rapa fancies we know, especially if “dummies”'were banned. a{i * * GENIUS REWARDED. He was a serious-minded youth. "My experiences," he said “illustrate a great truth in life. I shall write them—develop them into a treatise on human psychology.” He grew' to manhood. “Probably,” he mused,” I had better convert this idea into a novel. It would receive greater attention—more people would read it." Time passed. He wrote his idea into a short story and the publishers rejected it. Finally, he received an inspiration. He wrote a two-line joke, introducing into it his idea, and sold it to a humorous journal for 2s 6d. * * # THE BLACK DRAGON SOCIETY. Not much is known generally about the operations of the Black Dragon Society of Japan which was in the news the other day? It was cabled that the society had urged certain Japanese ministers to take steps to settle the Italo-Abyssinian dispute. No Japanese Government dare suppress Hie society, which is centuries old. Both chauvinistic and belligerent in intentions, the Black Dragon Society is feared by leaders in almost every walk of life. It wields tremendous power in times of crisis and then seems to subside for a period -of years. The society’s methods of intimidation and physical violence combined with a fervid but superficial patriotism are sometimes compared with the bigotry and terrorism of thf (Ku Klux Klan in tho United States.