PUBLIC OPINION

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1928, Page 8

PUBLIC OPINION

EUROPE AND HOOVER. “To be perfectly frank, official Europe does not like Hoover, because it regards him as too completely and unqualifiedly American. He does not talk tlio European language. Me manifests little or no concern for the niceties of phrase and manner which constitute so important a part of European relations. He has the awkward luv.it of constructing official expressions meant for public disclosure. If Hoover were to be President, Europe believes that ne would ruthlessly sweep aside all pleas of inability to pay debts according to existing agreements, that he is even capable of telling Europe how it could pay, by what forms of efficiency and economy it tould save the money necessary to meet the regular assessments. It knows that it would be hopeless to approach him on any ground of sentiment. It knows it would be futile to talk to him of the common cause and the disproportionate casualty lists.”—Mr. Frank H. Simonds.

THE PRAISES OF “YES.” '‘There is a certain very distinguished man of letters who must be enormously rich. He must have many appeals to his generousitv, but he can say No on a post-card to appeals for this or that charity with a characteristic note that would make the postcard a* valuable .autograph if there were not so many of them’’ writes Katherine Tynan in the Morning Post.” “I sing the praises o*f Yes. No is a mean, hurtful word with nothing round about it, except the vowel. There arc many occasions every day in all our lives when Yes may lie said instead of No. Yes is as blessed to. the saver as the hearer. Even if it costs a little personal inconvenience, learn to say Yes— if it be a question of a. dull tea-party or sitting by a sick friend, when golf or some pleasanter thing beckons. To say Yes is noblesse oblige—courtesy—gentleness. No is a cold, selfish, slmrpfaccd fellow. Away with him !”

TO THE. SEA OF RECUPERATION

“Our grandfathers held a ‘sea voyage’ in High esteem as a means of recuperating health or strength. There are. signs to-day that we are returning to that point of view. Every-sum-mer more and more holiday-makers go down to the sea in ships—and return therefrom with added vigour. The reason is simple. Above the sea the air is excellently clear, so, that all the actinic rays of the sun are able to penetrate the atmosphere. The deck of a ship at sea is a sun bath. It is, in addition, a sun bath surrounded by mirrors, for the surface of the water reflects those rays which striks it, and thus serves to' concentrate the availn.lde supply. These advantages are very great in themselves. They do not, however, exhaust the merits of sea voyaging, as a means to fitness. For all, except those who are abnormally sensitive to sea-sickness, h ship is a place of mental and physical rest. There is a monotony about ocean travel which, while it may oppress at first, tends, soooner or late, to lull and soothe.”—The Medical Correspondent of the “Times Trade and Engineering Supplement.

LIFE. “Law is absolute; and abstract theory. But the administration of it must rest upon human judgement. Life is compromise swaying between circumstances and will, with the law human and divine to temper it. We steer a straight a course as we can, getting as much satisfaction out of it as we are able to do. Circumstances may run more easily for some than for others. We are not all equally able or willing,, or in a position to take full advantage of them. It has ever been and ever will l>e so with all created things while the world lasts. This is a fair summary of life.”—The late Sir .John Kempe, K.C.8., a distinguished Civil Servant.

THE DREAD OF THE EXPERT. “The say ill”; is attributed to Lenin that ‘One technical adviser is worth twenty Communists.’ Substitute for Communists the words ‘Committee members.” and one might he very near the truth, hut the dread of the expert in England is reflected in every Government department, local and central, and the readiness with which the layman is willing to express an opinion on medical matters of a highly technical nature is in striking contrast to his diffidence when a legal opinion is required. Voluntary organisations have done valuable pioneer work in drawing public attention to the need of various diseases such ms tuberculosis and venereal disease. Child care from every aspect has been assisted by the various societies working for this common end. Rut with the growth of the Public Health service many of these societies find their work is being done by the oumieipalitv and the voluntary helpers do not any longer display such zeal for the cause.” -Dr. Stella Churchill.