THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 22, 21 October 1942, Page 4

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Comments—Reflections One “take this,” is better than two “I will give.”—Proverb. * * ♦ “A diversion front would be useless to Russia unless it were opened up with such vigour and in such force that Hitler could not ignore it. There would be no use in establishing a bridgehead unless it could be made the starting point for an offensive which would engage large numbers of German troops. Only the British High. Command knows whether even if the British shot the works they would have enough trained men, machines, and transportation for the kind of offensive that a diversion front demands. Out on the gambling table would go not merely the defence of the Mediterranean and the Pacific, but the defence of the British Isles themselves. A defeat would be the end. No British army could come back from a second Dunkirk —with the armies of the Third Reich at its heels—and hope to save the island a second time.” —Mr. Ralph Ingersoll, of “P.M.”

“The attempt has been made and is being made to turn farm into factory with the added disqualification to the farmer that his craft is being commercialized without the financial bolstering (the 25 per cent, ad valorem duty, for instance) accorded to other businesses. Without, too, the expert staff oC the business firm, since the better accountant and industrialist the former becomes, the worse is his violation of biological law. The greater his speed, the more broken is his rhythm. The closer he specializes the more dislocated are his balances between arable, livestock and grassley and the poorer his crops. The more he confuses production with fertility the sooner he loses the latter. The more he absorbs the urban mentality, the less country man he. The more up-to-date be becomes, the more down-at heels are his fields. Land is potential life, not raw material to be manufactured, and the poet’s vision of it is far more real and practical than the business man’s attitude to it as industrial plant. But the husbandman’s treatment of it is the most realistic of all because it is based on an intuitive grasp of biological principles, tested by the experience of many generations. The judment of the earth is plain. It will have craftsmanship or nothing, and to the predatory man it will refuse its fruits.”— Mr. H. J. Massingham in bis book of reminiscences, “Remembrance.” * V 0

“We were told, when we- tried to get vegetable salads into workers’ canteens, to make good the loss of vitamin C which is almost upreventable in large-scale cooking, that the ‘bands’ would not touch them. They didn’t, when little or no effort was made to explain in simple terms what they were for or how to serve them attractively. The conventional idea that salads can consist only of lettuce, cucumber and tomato and that they are only to be eaten with cold meat was hard to uproot. But, wherever canteen supervisors have taken even moderate pains to encourage people to try salads —and I am speaking of wartime salads —of shredded cabbage, grated carrot, potatoes, etc. —there lias been a record of success. The serving of a helping of vegetable salad as part of the meal has proved a success in a number of communal restaurants. It is invariably eaten and most people like the innovation. If it were offered as a separate dish relatively few would ask for it merely because they* are unaccustomed to do so. This small hetping of fresh vegetables is of very great nutritional importance. Largescale cooking in restaurant kitchens involves serious losses of vitamin C. Some are caused by vegetables being prepared and left soaking many hours before they are cooked, sometimes overnight. Even more serious losses occur during cooking.”—Professor J. C. Drummond, in an address to the Royal Society of Arts.

“If yon have had the experience, as I have had, of hearing resolutions discussed in an assembly, you will remember bow rough places are made smooth aud the definitive is made indefinite and a sleepy haze is cast on occasion over words, miscalled a resolution. The preamble method, for example: ‘Conscious as we are that we are living in a time of crisis,’ or ‘While we admit that in times like these,’ or not being blind to the difficulties which surround (or beset) us in times like these.’ Such preambles are like the pleasant babble with which the Great Speaker opens his oration. When the preamble is over—and the most leisurely must end soinewere—the Resolution takes its own sinuous way. It must be balanced, for it is agreed that a Resolution without balance is at once and unstatesmanlike and a revolutionary thing. Poise is the right word. Poised between dreadful extremes, the Resolution moves like Blondin on his tightrope. Balance is useful because -it provides a way of escape from critics. If it is charged against an assembly that it lias passed a resolution socialist in character, it is only necessary to recall the language: ‘While fully conscious as we are of the priceless gains won by the individualism which made our fathers the strong mon that they were, we are of the opinion that the time may be nt hand in which a hearing should be given, and we would go so far as to add a sympathetic hearing to those who are exploring the...” At once it is clear that the charge is unfounded. No army goes to battle with a Resolution on its banners.”—Quintus Queg, in tlie “Christian Century.”

Of England. There shall be this, when time nuborn Looks buck on these so-darkened years: A gleam still shining as the morn Through memoried mist of sweat and tears; A glow of courage shaming fears. When hope was all forlorn. Then Britain, seen in true estate. Shall tower, like some new-visioned peak, O'er lesser hills articulate With foolish taunts and phrases sleek — The darts of little minds that seek Their lacks to vindicate. And we and all the world shall stand To do her honour for the way She took a broken sword in hand, And held the hounds of hate at bay Until was wrought the power to stay, The doom for freedom planned. Leigh Hodges, "New York Times.”