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Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1928, Page 4

FOR OUR .FELLOAV-AIEN. “ The greatest joy man can have is in doing useful, service to his. fellowman. This does not mean neglect- of home, of wife, or children. The man who is handiest with his service to others cannot overlook his own family. A man who loves his home, his wife, and children, and has plenty to spare for his fellow-men, doubles bis own pleasure. Ju British language, a man who docs ‘ nowt ’ is ‘ uowt ’—at least that is my impression. I like a man to feel Christmassy all the year round, to start a Happy New A*ear every morning. I shall be told it is not possible to be good and useful and joyous all the time. Perhaps so, luit it is possible to try to be so. more than many of us are. I am said to he a sentimentalist. It is true. It may he a virtue, or it may be a failing, i look on Christmas as a time especially to remember the other follow. Goodness does not count in squandering money about. It docs not count in giving presents in the hope ol getting some back, or in prospect- of favours. Giving service, spreading love around, distributing general kindness—that is often more helptul than a gilt ot money.”—-Air Ben. Turner, chairman of the British Trades Union Congress. BOOKSELLING AS A PROFESSION. •• Bookseiing should be regarded not as a trade but as a learned profession. Booksellers shouldn’t have customers, but- clients. There ought to be no counters in a bookshop, but, easy chairs and divans. People should be able to come there lor ihscu-.-ioii and advice, ami lie able to iciy on getting the light advice. One or two booksellers l know are conducting their business on these •lines, but only one or two. I lie authors are responding. Best sellers apart,, more books of merit appear each season, and they get a better show. Look how good our biographies have become. How miserably the book-making bulks ot twenty years ago show up beside the new school who have made biography an art, and produce infinitely better | work in a much smaller and more convenient compass. Writers like Lvtton Stiacliey, like G. Al. ’I revelvan. v. bo combines all the interest of bis distinguished uncle’s work with, it seems to me. far greater conscience and subtletf.”—Mr John Buchanan. WINNING THROUGH. •■ Until 1 read Herr Emil Ludwig’s •Bismarck’ upon its recent appearance 1 had always supposed that the Prussian statesman who dominated tiie imagination of Europe ami was credited with •creating the German Empire’ had been recognised from his youtli up as a Alan of Destiny. Now that they have learned how long «. took him to induce people to regard him seriousiy, to consider him fit for important offices, to admit that he had any sort ot talent. I see that lie was no exception to the rule. ' When he and Disraeli met, as obi men, they could have exchanged almost identic.'!l recollections —recollections ol being up against the world, receiving no help from anybody, having to set tlieir teeth and push through by their own strength alone.”—Air Hamilton Fyfc. m the ‘- Daily Chi-oniric” London). A SILENT KEOYLUnO.N. ■•The silent revolution wrought in recent years by the building societies ol ibis country has been economic in character.” said Air Harold Bellman during the (nurse of his lecture on the “Silent Revolution.” delivered before the Mo-ck-U< Internationale in London. “It was a bloodless revolution,” he continued, “ and it succeeded because it aimed at nothing* save the removal ol those handicaps, which prevent the expansion of life, and it. lacked that afterninth of disorganisation common to most .sotiii! upheavals. By creating fresh virtues of self-help in individual citizens it brought a boon upon society as a whole. Home-ownership is one of our greatest national assets. It transforms unrest into contentment, and weans men from the harbouring of revolutionary notions. The building society movement is destined to play a •big part in the future, and ttie gradual transition Irom House tenancy to homo possession is one of the certainties of the next generation.” ENGLAND AND INDIA. . •• [f ever one nation stretched out its hand in brotherhood to another, England is doing it to India in the offer now made,” says the “Times of India.” “No unworthy motive has been allowed to diminish the wliole-heaitedness ot the net. Though the Commission is formed by a Conservative Government, its President is one of the leading British Liberals. Think for a moment of the tremendous self-abnegation which His Majesty’s Government showed when they shelved the claims of distinguished members of their own party and went to Sir John Simon. The Commission includes strong representation of the Labour Party whom the most advanced Indian politicians have long regarded as tlieir political saviours in England. None can term such a combination an expression of illiberal sentiment towards India without committing the absurdity of accusing every political party in Great Britain of rank dishonesty.” THOSE AVHO DO NOT GET PROAIOTION. “Those who desire promotion and who work for it, yet fail to receive it, should not rail at fate or think that they are unfairly treated,” says a writer in the “Science of Thought Review.” “They should rather ask themselves what fault is it in them that causes tlieir chief to promote others over their heads. Self analysis is not pleasant, hut it is necessary at times. If we try to look at ourselves from the standpoint of our employer, putting ourself in his place, with the task facing us of choosing men for promotion, we may learn something of great value. A) lien looked at from the employer’s or manager’s side, things appear different. One man cannot be promoted because his manners and address are not good ; another may he unsuitable because lie lacks personality ; another because he is too faint-hearted; yet another because his I temper is short and he is lacking in tact. Whatever weakness, may he the cause of our being passed over it can be remedied. But this is only possible by self discipline.” 1927 IN SCIENCE. “The outstanding feature of modern knowledge is its general progress. The thirteen sections of the British Association include the whole gamut of science from mathematics to sociology —from something quite precise to something purely human. Use those sections as a barometer, and you will find that not a single one has failed to add greatly to tbe knowledge of its subject in tbe year that is just finishing. It is Realise we made such strides in 1927 that I have good hopes for 1928. AA’o have accumulated mamnew facts .made several discoveries. Thus we have broadened the basis of future activity. If you were to ask me in what direction outside my own personal knowledge we have made the greatest strides I should say physics. The investigation of. matter and constitution, proceeding by Sir Ernest Rutherford, ,is x gradually - ijeyegli ng to us..a-inception JptaJJy di?er§l\t from anything we have ever before anticipated.—Sir Arthur Keith,