AUCKLAND NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1931, Page 3

AUCKLAND NOTES

(From our own Correspondent). The news of the death of the late Mrs Seddon was received with sincere sorrow and regret by a number of the older West Coasters now resident here. The kindly nature of the deceased kidy had endeared her to all who had the privilege of knowing her in tile past years when, as wife of the late Premier she proved herself such a worthy helpmate to her illustrious husband in his wonderlnl political career. The “Winterless North” has hardly been maintaining its reputation lately. The winds that blow from the south have not been “sighing so soft and low”—at least not so as to be noticeable. They have been howling boisterously with bitterly cold squalls, varied by heavy rains from the northeast. The result has been a mild epidemic of colds and influenza, but fortunately nothing of a. virulent type. The students of a local, commercial college decided this week, by a majority of two to one, after an animated debate that youth has degenerated during- the past five years, and that the stamina of modern youth was at a much lower level now than formerly. This opinion has, perhaps been fairly generally held by the “old timers ’ with memories of the strenuous days of their youth. But it is surprising to find it is held by the young folk tiiemselves. Probably the explanation is to be found in the more luxurious and easy conditions of life which have prevailed in New Zealand of recent years, particularly in the towns, as compared with the poverty and hardship of the earlier days. Apropos of this three old colonists from different parts of New Zealand met in Auckland the other'day and were comparing notes. Each of these men had, as the saying is “made good.” They had acquired more or less wealth, had built/ up industries, employed labour, had occupied respon- 1 sible positions and done good service lor the community. They had in each case been forced to go to work and earn a living before they were fourteen years of age; had followed various occupations—anything which came to their hand, sometimes at sea and sometimes on shore. They were unanimous in their opinion that things were worse in N.Z. fifty years ago than they were to-day; that there was far greater hardships and a keener struggle for existence. They particularly stressed the necessity for adaptability. Those who had to make a living in a new and undeveloped country had to he prepared to adapt them.stives to their environment. The tendency 'of modern education, and the restrictions of labour ' unionism confining the industrial to one trade or occupation ivas, in the opinion of these worthy pioneers one of the 1 actors responsible for the conditions now existing.

Discussing tins aspect la ter with a dairy fanner with whom I was staying —some hundred miles north of Auckland, he agreed that a good “handy man” w r ould not only have an almost certain chance of obtaining employment in the country, but would later probably develop into a very efficient farmer. He pointed out the farmer had to rely on himself, and had to be in turn carpenter, builder, painter, engineer, plumber, glazier, paperhanger etc., besides being able to put up fences, dig ditches, plough and do other farm work. The idea that there was nothing to learn but to milk cows was utterly ridiculous, and only show, ed how little the townspeople knew of the conditions prevailing in the country. He agreed that the present system' of education did not fill the requirements of the country at all. and it was improbable that boys brought up and educated in the towns would either want, except as a last resource, to go to work in the country —or would be much good when thy got there. There was a very fascinating exhibit at the Auckland Winter Exhibition—a show case containing the products from a one-man farm. There were butter, eggs, honey, vegetables, bottled fruits, jams, bread, tobacco, and mini crons other• products, besides woven flax, fancy work, drawings, and other exhibits showing the spare or leisure hours of this man and 'his wi e had been turned to good account. If we had a few thousands more/of such people in New Zealand the present depression would soon lift. There has been great poverty ami distress in Auckland this winter, ancl this has brought into prominence rations aspects of human nature. One splendid aspect has been the almost universal response to appeals for as sistance by the dozens of relief organisations which have been set up—both in connection with, and independent of the churches. Hundreds of women have been knitting, sewing and making up parcels of clothing, day after day, and week after week for the relief of the needy. Food, fuel and money have been freely and constantly contributed, and as there was appeal for more and yet more the iarmers have lately been sending in tons of meat and vegetables, etc.,, foods of all kinds. Amongst the most active of the charitable relief organisers is the Rev. Jasper Calder, of the City Mission. By strenuous efforts he had organised a night shelter and since May last had provided 15,354 free beds and 40,961 free meals for the hungry and shelterless. No doubt, the vast .majority—practically all—of these were duly grateful and appreciative of the relief But a handful of agitators were amongst them and a most regrettable scene occurred when a few Communists endeavoured to excite the crowd to riot. One of these had the effrontery to accuse, the reverend gentleman 0.l running the place for the 'sake of profit, and was promptly

told he was a liar. The presence and bactl’ui action of the police relieved a rather ugl.v situation. But immediately the news of this insolence and black ingratitud ‘ circulated the effect was noticeable in the falling off of supplies However, prompt action "'as taken, pome 14 of the malcontents were turimd out. and tlu; lesson was so salutary that since then there have been no complaints. Ail urgent appeal was then sent out to those who had so kindly contributed food and necessities, not to punish the many who were sincerely grateful, ior the sake of the misconduct of the few. The appeal was successful and supplies are coming in now more freely than ever. What needs to he noted lioWvor, is that, a mere handful of the “agitator” class can do an immense amount of damage. There is a class, mostly coniine in from overseas and largely from Australia- whose activities require careful watching, or they will assuredly breed trouble. The Arbitration Court lias just ruled that, it is quite reasonable that carpenters and bovmnkers should carry nails in their mouth if they wish to do so. If they should happen to swallow one the onus is on tlm employer who would he responsible for loss of wages and medical expenses. It is latlioi a serious risk to employ labour these days.