The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, November 28, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1330, 28 November 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, November 28, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

In our last issue we quoted figures from returns supplied by the Minister for Public Works concerning sums voted for public works in the Otaki constituency during the years 1909-11 (Mr Field’s term as member) and 1912-14 (Mr Robertson’s). We used the word "expended,” instead of "voted.” During Mr Field’s term, .£2,107 was voted for public buildings (police station and post offices), not including an amount of ,£5lO for linesmen’s cottages, a purely departmental grant. For the same period, 1909-11, ,£10,060 was voted for roads and bridges. During Mr Robertson’s term, 1911-141 .£797 was voted for public buildings, not including departmental grant for the Weraroa State farm, and ,£3.3°° on toads and bridges, exclusive of .£I,OOO for the Aorangi Endowment Block concerning the Lauds Department, and quite apart from private member’s efforts. It will be seen, therefore, that from the loaves and fishes point of view, Mr Field has much to his credit. The point, in any case, is not worth much as concerning the merits of members of Parliament. Every constituency is entitled to its fair share of public expenditure, independent altogether of party representation. There was a time when the policy of "spoils to the victors” obtained, but that scandalous and iniquitious system has been effectively crushed by the Massey Government, Public grants and favours are not now at the disposal of servile party satellites.

The Foxton Horticultural Society is to be heartily congratulated upon the success which has attended its annual Spring Show. In view of the fact that the entrance fee for axhibits was raised from 3d to 6d, the opinion was expressed that this would reduce the number of entries, but it has had the opposite effect. The entiles increased to within 39 of the highest recorded, in 1910, while financially the increase in this connection is self evident, constituting a record. The society should not lose sight of the fact that in order to justify the increased fees, a proportionate Increase in prize-money is necessary to stimulate and encourage exhibitors. The society is indebted to the generosity of enthusiasts for handsome trophies for points prizes, and it would be a move in the right direction to provide trophies as point prizes in every section at each show. Such trophies to be won, say, twice in succession or three times at intervals. A little judicious canvassing in the right direction would secure the trophies without calling upon the society’s lunds. Another point which is exercising the minds of certain members is whether the shows should be restricted to one day. Cut blooms lose their attractiveness after the first day, the floral decorations likewise. Further, it incurs a sacrifice of time on the part of the committee. It remains to be proved however,! whether the receipts etc., justify a second day. We believe they do. Taking the season, the general unrest, and recent attractions into consideration, the show was an unqualified success, and it proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that the! society is not only wellgoverned, but is an institution which is yearly growing in importance and usefulness to the community.

Xhj ' greatest Socialist Teacher v\ no ever walked this earth sard: “What shall it profit a man u he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” The query would, we assume, be answered in accordance with the acceptance or otherI wise of the existence of the soul. Some people are wicked enough to suggest that politicians don t possess souls. We will not traverse that argument in the spiritual realm of reasoning. We are all familiar, however, with what ia termed the “soul of honour,” and we can truthfully say that the majority of politicians possess this virtue, in a greater or less degree, and there are some who, through their own or the other fellow’s bitter experience, have come to prize honour and virtue above external and fortune. These have developed the super-man, or the soul ot honour, and their names are "revered by posterity. There is still plenty of room for such men in our public life. To err is human. We all make mistakes,

and some 6i us are quick to acknowledge them, and compel future actions to redeem the past. These are they who are developing the soul of honour. There are others who seek to win to the top by shuffling and intrigue. They succeed —for a time —but the soul of honour becomes dwarfed in the process, and finally dies —and their career with it. Our politicians need to cultivate the development of the super-man, for without this virtue they can never hope to win the confidence of their fellows and the ultimate good of mankind.