RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 398, 23 September 1911, Page 5

RANDOM REMARKS.

By "Onlooker." A heresy preached through the medium of the Chronicle recently is worthy of mure than passing comment. Presumably the article in question was published "merely for the purpose of provoking controvesy, and with this much made clear, no doubt Onura residents will f-rgive the action. The article referred to suggested Taupo as the fulure capital of the Dominion, and the writer had the temerity to elaborate the suggestion by specious argument and an appeal to the artistic sympathies of his audience. 1 have no particular desire to enter the lists with a promoter of heresies or new evangels, but cannot resist pointing out that the future capital of the Dominion ia already firmly fixed. Fixed not merely in the fertile imagination of a journalistic partisan, but deep in the hearts and convictions of all who have visited the garden valley of Ohura. Just as painting the lily or gilding refined gold is an unnecessary operation, so is it unnecessary to enlarge upon the attractions of Ohura "where every prospect pleases and man is only vile by comparison with the surrounding beauties There will no doubt be many attempts to dricct public thought and attention to other localities; when the demand for a capital site becomes keen, but there is little fear cf Ohura being passed over in the final section. The various proposed sites will require to be visited prior to a choice being made, and a visit to the Ohura cannot fail to bring conviction to the most hardened sceptic. <3—© Seeking the light has been a favourite occupation of mankind from the very beginning of things. That Te Kuitians should be engaged in the same alluring pastime is not to be marvelled at. -Judging impartially from the correspondence which has appeared on the subject it seems that if heat without light was required the question would be solved without going further. However, the first necessity appears to be light, either with or without heat, so the game will have to continue until one or other of the contending parties is down and out. An old Scotch woman squelched a Kirk discussion with the remark "They talk about auld lichts and new lichts, but there's nae licht to me like the gas licht." Had the lady lived in Te Kuiti she would have learned that even g-iS lights are may, and are varied with divers virtues and utilities, to say nothing of prices. Representatives of the interested lights have poured oil on heated waters in the endeavour to generate the required illumination; it remains to be seen if the oil wag the correct brand. Meanwhile the town remains in darkness and press correspondence, however heated, doe 3 not even warm a boddie's toes.

All roads lead to the King Country these times, and it was a reasonable assumption that Pawelka, when he breathed the precious air of freedom, should make direct for the mo3t desirable district in the Dominion. The district has suffered an invasion and has been police-ridden for a time, but Pawelka has nut been seen, save in the active imaignalion of the casual traveller. Judging from remarks heard on all sides the youth would have met quite as many sympathisers as enemies had he appeared in the district.

Mr Fowlds must be credited with possessing the courage of his convictions and his determination to preach a new political doctrine is to be commended. Not to everyone granted the gifts which alone entitle a man tu uplift his standard and sound a clarion call to mankind in general to rally to it. Mr Fowlds' late colleagues, in commenting upon the retirement, credit the resigning Minister with the possession of high ideals arid this seems to be the kindest thing they have to say. After all, Mr Fowlds does not possess a corner in ideals. Most decent people have soulful aspirations and spirit-stirrings which unfortuatelv have to be sternly suppressed in the interests of practical work a'day methods and customs. Fortunate indeed is the person who is granted the opportunity to even preach his own special brand of politics or theology untrammelled by party shackles or the hundred and one social customs which have upgrown with civilisation and spread with the conquest of the seas. Mr Fowlds' ideals may be of sufficient importance to warrant his action, but if the Prime Minister's candid opinion on the subject could be obtained it would be interesting. Of interest also will be the collective opinion of Mr Fowlds' constituents at election time.