PUBLIC OPINION.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1928, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION.

AN- UNDERPAID PEASANT. “ Good production is already below the real needs of tbe world” writes Sir Daniel Hall in the “Countryman” ; “ the growth of population alone, not to speak of any industrial revival and its resultant increase ill purchasing power, must convert the deficiency, now covered up, into a visible scarcity, if industrial progress is to continue the growing population must have more food. This can no longer be supplied by extending cultivation on to new land, for that is running short, it must bo attained by greater production from the land now cultivated. That can be done, but not until better payment is forthcoming for both 1 armors and labourers, that will biing witn it higher efficiency. Is the stimulus to be deferred until food searciity produces higher prices? Present prices are dependent on small margins, jf there were an upward movement it would probably be rapid. PR IVAT ECONOMY. “ Even more important in its practical effect than economy in public expenditure, central or local, or other action bv the Government, is economy in private spending. The possible accretions to the available capital fund from this source are far larger than can flow from governmental saving. During the war an immensely successful appeal was made lor voluntary saving ‘to help to win the war.’ Ls a similar response to a similar appeal impossible to-day to help to re-win national well-being? “ The Round Table.”

POLITICS IN AND OUT OF THE PULPIT. “How can we, even if we would, keep polities out of the, pulpit or out of the Church in these advanced days?” writes the Rev. Albert D. Bolden, in the “Daily Herald.’ ‘ Utie pulpit should lead boldly, not follow timidly. It should give free sanction to every activity calculated to help man in his social relationships. Once that is accepted as a part ot -the preacher’s duty and privilege, how can a logical niitul stop short of polities—man’s dealing with his brother man in town life, in rural life, ami in our national and international rcationships i Yet we still hear the injunction: ‘Keep politics out of tho pulpit!’ For myself. it is impossible to decide where religion ends and politics begin. / The two permeate the whole of life, and are often indistinguishable. No proper liian —least ol all the Christian teacher—wishes to take back on Mon clay what he said on Sunday. A TRIBUTE TO FINE WORK. “One of the best hostels is. that of the Church Army Home, in Great Peter Street. This is a striking example of the advantages of voluntary over State charity,’ writes Air I'. A. Mackenzie in the “Daily News.’ Ihe doors are open very wide, day and night. The derelict is gi\en a good meal of thick meat soup and bread, a hath, and comfortable bed. Next morning lie is expected to work foi an hour at some simple task, and is invited to remain for a three days’ labour test. If be stands ibis, he is next offered an opportunity, as tai as room allows; to start life again in a Labour home. The atmosphere in Great Peter Street is cheerful and hopeful. There are hooks and papers, bright services, games, and even a billiard table. All kinds of men have gone through the test —ships’ surgeons, ruined tea'-plauters, accountnuts, engineers, men from many professions and from famous public schools besides unskilled labourers, hotel servants and the like.” the bat also runs.

“The pursuit of the electric hare lias become so popular that it has attained the melancholy status ot a social problem.'' says the “Manchester Guard-

inn.” “Now the hare itselt is to lie pursued in tho race lor favour. ’I lie electric rat lias entered the ring at a London sporting club, and men of rank and fashion solemnly sit in armchairs to watch terriers either chasing it in vain or chasing each other with more hope of results. 01 course if the passion for instituting these native substitutes for the casino is sufficiently strong there is no limit to the amount of available spectacles. Cats might be too sagacious to follow electric mice or sparrows, hut donkeys would surely* take the track after an electric carrot. The vital question is the number of human donkeys who can think of nothing better to do "ith their evenings and their pocket mou-