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Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1923, Page 2

Ix the Thought for the Times to-da.y mere is the suggestion, iroiu the Lyttelton Tunes” that in regard to Midland Railway charges, whether the tunnel section, bo controlled by tin Public WorKs Department, or the Railway Department, the policy of the country ought to he in favour of attracting trade and not playing into the hands of competitors. The Chamber of Commerce on both sides ot the range ate advised to watch the question of charges very closely. The advice is in good season. Now that the railway is in operation, the greatest economic benefit should bo derived from the convenience for ready triune. Trains counting in goods traffic, are running mote or less daily, and the aim should be to draw lull loads till the time. The volume of trade which it is possible to foster between East, and West, is sure to be sufficient, to maintain the line ill full tunning order, if the goods truffle is entered for in the way it should be. It is important to the public that the menus for freer competition in trade should be encouraged to the fullest, so tout apart from anxiety to see the lino 1 av, there will be the desire to see the volume.of trading increased to the i idlest extent, which will be probable, so lopg as freights are right. II certain classes of commodities can compete with sea carriage, there is no reason why all classes should not do so. il effective business methods are applied.

If a mail of a. pessimistic turn of mind were to return to Condon to-day after an absence of ten or fifteen years, says Mr U F. Easterbiook, in the ‘•Nineteenth Century,” lie would find ample pasture on which to browse his pessimism in the noise and general vulgarity which seem to have overtaken the English. Daughters of ancient ami honoured families lake jockeys everywhere with them as their dancing partners, and in the House of Commons men of birth and education, who ought to know Isotter. brawl with Labour members, whom they should be instructing bv example in dignity and respect. A Cup Tie crowd storms the barriers with every variety of noise-making instruments,' then adjourns to the West End to gibber and yell and wave blue parasols—all about nothing. Intoxicated men regard it as the correct pro- < edure to go to Piccadilly Circus, climb on the roof of a taxi cab and call attention to their condition. The popular reason given for nil the vulgarity is reaction from the war. But those who are making London hideous nia men who have conic back from the "at men who have come basck from the war are inclined to l>e quiet and taciturn, and do not laugii easily. The otheis, who are yelling and shouting, are not finding real enjoyment. They are living to hunt it down, to capture it byforce and so long w they use' such methods it will always elude them. The real cause of the noise is a social revolution that has slowly been taking place tor years, and has lately sped up its action. The old order of classes is changing. Money is becoming the town-stone of happiness and endeavour—even of respect.

False standards are finding place among all classes. There is only one remedy, and that is by education in the widest sense—through the schools, the churches, the press, and tho public and social institutions, and also through personal influence. Yell on- journalism and other sensationalism should lie discouraged. To direct the great rising force of democracy on constructive lines through public institutions there is a need for men of wide vision, sincere convictions, and great disinterestedness All important factor us education bv example, ‘it fe the nature of the English to be generous in their

judgments, mindful of old traditions, and quick to appreciate public sendee. To tlie rantin'g of “Red” tub-thumpers thov nro discouragingly unresponsive. Therefore the true aristocracy, the aristocracy of intellect, education, and breeding, need have no fear of the issue, for they will come through the ordeal the more respected for being weighed in the balance and not found wanting.” Men. of birth, brains, or education can do much by their example in refusing to conform to lowered standards of conduct. They can show that there is more in cheerfulness, and in a proper sense of responsibility towards life, than in the type of ‘•enjoyment” that is cheerless as well as vulgar.