THE PASSING SHOW

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 11 (Supplement)

THE PASSING SHOW

COMMENT AND CRITICISM

(By “Free Lance.”)

Thanks to “Call Him Back” and others who have suggested that that bird Byrd tinkering with the South Pole is responsible for our so-called summer. Personally we see nothing wrong with the weather, our parents being in the umbrella trade. The owner of a Taranaki orchard containing a large and particularly attractive variety of fruit trees was summoned from her slumbers shortly after 10 p.m. recently by the penitent ringing of her telephone. Responding to the call, the householder received a shock when she was addressed by a youthful voice which informed her that together with other boys he had visited her orchard that evening. “We have raided your orchard, but the fruit was not ripe; we will return when it is ready,” declared the youthful voice. Fearful of the shock to the country following his announcement about no more taxation this year, Mr Nash hastened to explain that he meant the only tax which would not be increased this year was the petrol tax. • • • • Many old-age pensioners believed they would receive £lO extra this year, under the superannuation scheme. With Pope, we can only say : Hope springs eternal in the human breast. Man never is, but always to be, blest. • * * * Strange comment of a woman listener at the conclusion of Lord Bledisloe’s broadcast from England at Waitangi time : “The darling, I could eat him.” Congratulations to the Rev. Ormond Burton and his companion on the attainment of their desire—“ Peace, perfect peace.” The present objection of the Farmers* Union to Mr Nash, as far as we can make out, is that he hides and skins. ♦ * * * Britain’s peace aims, America’s peace aims, Germany’s peace aims, France’s peace aims—surely one of them will score a bull soon.

Mr S. S. Dean, chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union executive, declare* himself in favour of conscription. Those who know their Rugby control feel that the question is as good as settled. A brightly-dressed young man presented himself at a recruiting depot and expressed his wish to join the Army. The sergeant in charge asked him the usual questions, and entered the answers on his sheet. “Occupation?” he inquired. “Well.” said the young man, “I hardly know what to say. You see. my uncle left me a pot of money a year ago. and I’ve just run through the lot. That’s why I’m here.” “I see,” replied the sergeant thoughtfully. Then a broad smile broke over his face, and he entered in the necessary column, “Brass finisher.” • • • • One consolation for home tomato growers this season is that the fine big plants will be great for digging in. Motto of the Wellington City Tramways Department : “An explosion every mile.” Primer 4 youngsters at Hamilton East school needed bigger hats when an announcement made one day this week that the primers would stay home was followed by another that the infants would do likewise. Headline: “Finnish Fighting.” Hear. Hear I Now the lid is off. We can tell all the good stories about what the wharfle-tumed-soldier said to the stevedore foreman as the troopship left her berth. We are wondering about the many youths who had been engaged in essential occupations without break for years, so wrote “unemployed” on the form Just to make sure none would stop them from having a go at Hitler. Also about the youth who successfully concealed his age till he came to Hopu Hopu and had to produce his employment levy book. He was sent home, but his parting words, a mixture of rage, grief and frustration, were : “Goodbye fellows, I’ll sec you over there yet.” And he betook himself to a distant military area to try again. Good luck to him. and to his cobbers he will be seeing “over there” yet.