PUBLIC OPINION

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1930, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION

an unconsidered infliction

“I cannot understand why policemen go to hospitals and worry people who are very ill and suffering great pain. J am surprised that doctors and nurses allow policemen to go and play about the hospitals. 1 would not il 1 were matron.”--Mr Justice Swift.

THE FRENCH SECURITY COMPLEX.

“Plain men in this country,” says the “Times” in a leader, “as well as in the United States will be inclined to feel that, if Fiance still feels too uneasy to contemplate any real reauction in her naval programme in spite of the obligations to which Great Britain —and other countries have already committed themselves by their signature of the League Covenant, of the Locarno Treaties, and of the Kellogg Pact, then she is not likely to be satisfied with anything winch does not* if not in set words at any rate, implicitly commit this country to some 'pact of mutual security.’ which thicountrv can no more consider than can the United States.”

TS PAULI AM EXT DEGENERATING ?

Many people say that Parliament is passing through a period of transition and endeavouring to adapt itself to the demands of a full democracy,” says Sir Herbert Samuel in the “Daily News,” “I entered the house of Commons 28 years ago, and I have noticed many changes with regret. In these days there is a certain tendency on the part of a small number of members—-they are very few—to make ejaculations, rude without being witty. There are excuses for being oreasio all v disagreeable, if it is done in a humorous and effective manner, hut these ejaculations heard in the House of Commons and reported in full in the daily Press are regrettable when oratory of a still higher order is entirely ignored.”

A WORD FOR CIVIC OFFICIALS

“While the concentration of local government throws additional burdens on the chief officers, the limits of civic expansion have not yet been reached. Every year Parliament passes new legislation, which, to greater or less extent, will add to the duties of local authorities, the executive instruments of much national legislation. The more we pile duties on town and country councillor, the more we throw new responsibiities on their officers. It will he impossible for elected representatives, even with the help of an army of co-opted persons, to watch or supervise the details of administration. They must be content with laying down policy and keeping a grip of finance

Committees will be given discretionary powers, and there should be more elasticity in administration. Under the new conditions the efficiency of local government will depend more than ever on the officers. They carry a very heavy strain during the present transitional period.”—Sir Robert Donald, in the “Municipal Journal.”

AN ACTRESS ON HER ART

“The artistic life, the life of the stage, of music and drama, is its own. great regard. It is a glorious profession. It is also an exacting one, but it brings in its train the highest of pleasures, the most varied experiences, and the most satisfying results. But it must he taken seriously;'one must work. It is not enough to display beautiful dresses and shapely limbs, and to gain adulation from men. All that side of it passes swiftly—too swiftly—but the joy of the artist remains. To .study hard and unceasingly, letting no smallest detail escape, to train body and mind unflinchingly towards the ideal, and then to forget dress, appearance. everything, and be absolutely the onrt one i.s nlaying—that is haopiness indeed. Reward comes at onc. e and in generous measure, the intoxicating music of applause, the feeling that hundreds of eyes are watching every gesture, hundreds of ears drinking in every word, and that one is not only tickling the jaded palates of connoisseurs in legs and costumes, hut touching the humblest and simplest heart at the back of the gallery.”—Miss Jessie Bond, a famous actress in Savoy opera. ,