RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 521, 27 November 1912, Page 7

RANDOM REMARKS.

"Things are dead!" This rernark is in danger of becoming fashionable, judging from tha frequency with which it is uttered locally. Personally, I always enquire for details and make the informant particularise. Close enquiry generally reveals the fact-that only some things are dead, the actual forces which signify to any extent being very much alive. Some things are better dead anyhow, and it is cheerful to reflect that the majority of our sins get decently interred with little prospect of resurrection. These are the abstract things, which only affect tha individual, and with which the world is not much interested anyhow. The real moving factors in life; the daily round of work and recreation; joy and sorrow, still exist, and to all appearances seem likely to thrive. The dairy factory, and the tenni3 courts; the mstal works and the bowling green; tha numerous businesses and the farms are all in existence, while some day We shall be able to boast of real roads as existing forces in the scheme of things.

One important thing which I . had almost omitted to mention in the catalogue of the living is the native land question. This can hardly be called a dead issue yet, however much our politicians would like to consign it to the limbo of the forgotten. Certain recent significant utterances on the subject by people who play a prominent part in our legislature indicate that there is still ample scope for effort on the part of the oeople most affected, in order to sweep away misconceptions, and get everybody working towards a desirable common end. Distrust is rampant, those people who have merely theoretical ideas on the subject being obsessed with the notion that those who are personally affected by the existing state of things are desirous of serving their own ends at the expense of the poor, unsophisticated native, who is incapable of managing his own affairs. Until this feeling of suspicion is removed; until it is plainly demonstrated to the world that the interests of the Dominion, of the native, and of numerous individual Europeans are being sacrificed as a result of ignorance and apathy, and that a proportionately heavier penalty will have to be paid the longer the matter is neglected; until then there is not a flicker of hope. It is high time cur land agents woke up, banded themselves together and proclaimed the truth to the world. Possibly they are waiting till the agency business is dead.

It is little use wishing things were dead unless one takes steps to effecj the demise of the execrated object. My friend Jones is not by any means a blood-thirsty parson, but his devout wish the other day was to see a certain person dead at. his feet. The events leading to such a lamentable frame ,of mind require a little explanation, particularly in thß case of Jones, whose amiability is not easily pffled. 16 all arose over a telegram received in the forenoon of a fateful day. The message was brief, but pointed, and informed Jones that a parcel of trout from Rntorua was on th 6 train in charge of a mutual acquaintance. The parcel was to be divided between Jones and another. A slight difference had arisen in the Jones' domestic circle that morning concerning a summer bonnet for Mrs Jones, and the man welcomed the opportunity to propitiate the ruling power. He hurried home with the news that a hundredweight or so of fine trout could be expected that evening, and Mrs Jones, with commendable presence of mind, immediately cancelled the butcher's order. She also'kept the telephone busy calling up her friends, and according to the degree of esteem with which each was regarded the trout was duly apportioned.

Throughout the day felicity abounded in the of Jones. He discussed the character of Brown, who was sending the trout, and failed to find a flaw therein. He regretted audibly that Brown and not married, holding that the thoughtful consideration, and other worthy attributes indicated in his old friend marked him for an ideal husband and father. Philosophical reflection is dangerous to a man like Jones, and he was almost led into the indiscretion of inviting Brown to meet his favourite sister-in-law. Restraining himself, he unearthed a dusty and damaged rod, and passed the remainder of the afternoon imagining the romance he could weave round the speckled beauties if he carried home rod and fish together. It waa a pleasant day, until the train arrived; then it became memorable. Neither fish nor friend appeared. When the situation was fully realised, Jones did his best. He started with the Government and anathematised the Railway Department. He called on the atmosphere to stifle officialdom, and exhorted the Red Federation to breed anarchy throughout the country. Finally, he became personal to the railway clerk and was ejected from the station. Then he thought of home, and in place of the pleasant yearning for the comfortable fireside and the soothing atmosphere of domesticity, his soul was filled with dismay. He quailed at the thought/of arriving without the trout, and the sight of the dilapidated rod brought a blush of shams to his cheek. The remainder of the day was full of interest for Jones, and the enthusiasm his spirit lacked was probably supplied by another