RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 441, 21 February 1912, Page 7

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker.

The atomsphere is thick with politics, and there is danger of the sun being shrouded unless a storm breaks through and scatters the various opinions to the four corners. Incidentally it wouid be highly interesting to have careful and precise explanation from the leaders of the rival parties as to the differences which exist between them. Well balanced and capable men who go little on party cries and denunciations fail to see much difference in the aspirations of the. lea lers. The same old questions have to be tackled by either of them and the same set of electors have to be placated by due attention to th« same local requirements. The chief occupation of Reform party members of lute has been the throwing of bouquets at Mr Massey, while Sir Joseph Ward's followers have been showering flowers on their leader since the publication of th--Governor's speech.

The Governor's speech is certainly a masterpiece in its way and provides food for much reflection. It contains nothing that any member of either party would not be safe in supporting. Land settlement, Legislative Council reform, education and complex social problems are all dealt with, and progressive and radical proposals are prominent. There is one important omission, however, which vitally concerns the country, and to which frequent reference will be made. No mention is mads of land tenure in the sections devoted to settlement and native lands, and this appears to be the line of cleavage between the parties. The only other difference of note appears to be that Mr Massey wishes to get possession of the Treasury benches and Sir Joseph Ward wishes to pevent such a happening. Party Government seems inexcusable at times.

The Show is past and gone, and people remain fairly contented, though it was difficult to keep "happy and bright" on Thursday morning. Any number, of weaknesses can ne pointed out in the Show management, but as the critics are among the great army of those who were content to look on and allow others to do_ the work such comments need not agitate the workers. A gratifying result of the Show is that the cup remains in the district. It is stated that the donor of the cup (the president of the A. and P. Association) is to present the trophy to Mr Gadsby, the successfrul exhibitor, at a public function which is likely to eclipse all previous records. The statement is made on totally unreliable .authority. Still there may be something in it.

This is an age of epidemics, but hitherto the fair and sequestered valley of the Managokewa has kept free from anything more serious than that relaxed feeling which we have all felt next morning. However, with the passage of time, the press of progress which inevitably supplants the primitive condition leads to wider activities. The dashing youth of our primitive past i 3 being rapidly engulfed in the wide realms of settled domesticity and the gay haunts of bachelordom will know him no more. Unfortunately for existing institutions the matrimonial germ has come in epidemic form, and hardly a day passes without a surprise packet being launched on the public. Still, it is" an amiable human weakness and has its compensations.

Nature lias done her best for Te Kuiti in the matter of providing beautiful surroundings to a ideal site for a town. She has, moreover, pro vided a charming stream which meanders its tortuous way through the town, and delights the eye of all who are privileged to see its rippling stretches. The human being has also made the initial step towards taking advantage of the opportunity offered by bounteous Nature, and reserved a portion on each bank of the river for a public Esplanade. Some day in ths dim and distant future, when the elementary requirements of the town are provided, the city fathers will be persuaded to form the Esplanade, and complete the picture which can ro drawn in one's imagination of bsruiliful shaded walks and rippling stream, with trimly terraced banks. Somewhere above the septic tank a bath houge will exist.