RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 513, 30 October 1912, Page 5

RANDOM REMARKS.

By "Onlooker."

We are living in a giddy whirl of excitement these times at Te Kuiti, and our City Fathers have some problems to solve which will take their earnest thought and calm deliberation. The loan proposals are, of course, subjudice, and to criticise them at this stage would be lese majeste.As everyone knows, the penalty for that sort of thing is too dreadful to reduce to cold print, but it is a common human weakness to toy with the fringe of danger for the sake of the resultant thrill. A spirit of recklessness inspires me to say that if the loan proposals had been more carufully considered by certain councillors and a definite policy adopted, there would have been little opposition to them. However, very few people have yet reached perfection, therefore those who have must be prepared for the shortcomings of their weaker fellows. After carefully reviewing the foregoing I am satisfied there is nothing in it calculated to wound the tenderest feelings or jar the susceptibilities of the most sensitive.

The Borough Council has decided in its wisdom to proceed with the scheme presented to the public, with a slight variation. The bridge of contention is deleted, and the money intended for that work is to be devoted to the streets on the eastern side of the river. The streets can do with it, and with as much more as it is possible to raise. An interesting feature of the proceedings ia that the council has decided to take no notice of the resolution carried at the public meeting, affirming the principle of borrowing a smaller amount which can be expended during the season, and submitting fresh loan proposals as the occasion demands. It is refreshing to see our public men exhibiting courage in their convictions despite the clamourings of the masses, and the inspired oratory of devoted citizens. Fascinating also is the pastime of high finance, and when the poll is carried the all-important operation of securing the boodle will be awaited with the usual mixture of emotions.

A much more important and infinitely leas parochial event than borough finance is to happen to-morrow night, when the question of the liquor traffic in the King Country is to be debated by the Taumarunui and Te Kuiti Debating Societies. It is only reasonable to suppose that widespread interest will centre round the war of words, and much enlightment on a burning question is anticipated. Prejudice and passion are frequently imported into any discussion in which the magic word "liquor" plays a part, and it will not be apprising if in the heat of debate the contestants are carried, through zeal, to express very pronounced views. A prominent member of the visiting team, not unknown to Te Kuiti, has been heard to hint darkly of things which may occur, but it is devoutly to be hoped his rigid principles will for the nonce be relaxed, and he be induced to sink his asthetic sentiments in the interests of the academic question. Otherwise it may be necessary to have him balanced in his own scales and judgment passed accordingly. A brilliant performance in one capacity does not necessarily qualify a person to debate the liquor question dispassionately.

"Can a leopard change his spots?" is a query which has been frequently framed to suit the exigencies of the moment. Whether the answer has been consistent it would be fruitless to enquire. We have it on high authority that the spot changing process is impossible, but in spite of historic example the Native Minister is proposing to Europeanise the Maori with a view to settling the old familiar native problem. Whether the spot changing is to be a real or imaginary process has not been disclosed. The real Maori does not require to be Europeanised to make him a very fine type of humanity, but in order to equip him to take an equal part with the pakeha in tha duties, responsibilities and privileges of citizenship he requires to be educated on European lines. Presumably the education referred to constitutes the Europeanising intended by the Native Minister, but it can safely be asserted that whatever surface altera tion takes place the scratching of the skin will reveal the extent of the change. While on the subject it may be remarked that the weakness of the Government's native legislation appears to be that the opiniun of the Minister in charge of Native Affairs in the Te Kuiti Parliament has not been requested.

The hospital question is still exciting considerable interest throughout the King Country, and two of the King Country members of the board are assiduously gathering information concerning the subject in order to place the position of the district before the next meeting of the board. Mr Boddie attended last meeting of the Waitomo County Council, and placed the position as it appeared to him before the council with the object of receiving an expression of opinion from the council. This action on the part cf Mr Boddie has not met With favour at Taumarunui, and that section of the district is apparently firm in its desire to separate from WaiUato district. If, as ia claimed, the movement is to be limited to a district which will be served by Taumaunui Hospital there can be no possible objection from outsiders. However, the Government is intimately concerned, and if Cabinet can be induced to recognise the desirability of the scheme, the rest should be easy.