RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 495, 28 August 1912, Page 5

RANDOM REMARKS.

By "Onlooker," The political atmosphere appears to have settled down in to a serene and holy calm, which nothing can agitate. This may be merely a surface, under which momentous stirrings and strivings are being experienced, but I incline to the belief that the fixed and stony smile of the political sphinx is real. The manner in which the weather synchronises with politics is wonderful and weird. Throughout the election turmoil, and the troublous time which followed in the political world, the weather was equally agitated, and self respecting persons had to refrain from passing the usual weather remarks fur fear of language. The weather became settled directly Mr Massey took office. Politics and weather have assumed an air of permanency which is truly refreshing. * * * "Oh could some fey the giftie gie us To see ourselves as ithera see us, 'Twould from mony a blunder free us" Notwithstanding the apt rhyme of the great poet it is to be doubted if Te Kuitians would benefit largely by adapting their view point to fit the opinion of the Dunedin Evening Star. We may have our faults; we may have our weakennesses, but faults to some are to others virtues of the highest nature, L'fe is too short to make it worth while for ordinary mortals to endeavour to trim their conduct to suit the whim of every carping critic who chooses to cultivate a liver. We may have a liver of our own to study, and the organ mentioned is no respecter of persons. Besides, we are too busy with hospital business to bother much about what outsiders think.

Talking of hospital business there was a terrific storm in a teacup at a recent meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board over an innocent remark made by a local official. The cup in question was only an afternoon tea cup, and it was in serious danger of injury from the explosions of some of the board members. However, the cup survived, and the official who caused the storm is still able to appear in public. From which one is led to conlcude that that though it may not be the highest wisdom to trifle with the dignity of a local body, the explosions of members are not so direful as they appear. Still appearances are deceitful ever, and there is no telling what might have happened if the cup had got broken. People really ought to be careful.

Some men are born to greatness some achieve greatness; others have greatness thrust upon them. Of the three forms of temporal power, surely the last named is the greatest. Achievement counts for much, but it can hardly be said to rank equal with the fact that a person is held by his fellows to be so worthy of place and power than no denial will be accepted; no evasion heeded. In the local Parliament at present is a striking illustration of the difference I have mentioned. In the Labour leader we have a Prime Minister, who, by dint of sincere and well directed effort has soared to eminence. It is hinted that in order to attain his goal he trampled under foot his own political reputation in climbing over the heads of his colleagues, but thoae things are always said of a party leader who has ideals and aspirations conjoined with the ability to "get there."

On the other hand in the Opposition leader —standard bearer of a party which its adherents claim represents the best and highest aspirations of an enlightened democracy—is to be seen an entirely different type of man to his rival. Chosen in a crisis as the person most eminently fitted to give effect to the widely expressed desire of the people for the more dignified and statesmanlike conduct of the House, he was placed in a position of power by the unanimous voice of parties which had amalgamated for the common good. Unsought was the position, yet the office was accepted and the duties pertaining thereto carried out in a manner deserving of unstinted praise. In the interests of the society, and with a view to prepetuating its usefulnens, it is surely due to the public that a crusade against the enervating spirit of: levity be again inaugurated.