THE NEW DISPENSATION.

Shannon News, 17 February 1922, Page 3

THE NEW DISPENSATION.

USHERED IN BY PENNY RULERS

Tlie suggestion of the Walrus “to talk of many things, of ships ana shoes and sealing wax and cabbages and kings” has been outdone in sober

earnestness by a New Zealand busi-

ness firm that speaks in one breath of * the war, the Disarmament Conference, world betterment, cigarettes and penny rulers, this mixture was achieved ' in a letter received recently by the' Shannon School Committee containing a request, humble enough in itself, that a number of rulers be purchased at the above-named price, but the method cl making it is unique. A couple of excerpts will serve to indicate the general. style ol this business letter: — “I am desirous of opening Wp direct correspondence with your Committee, as 1 urn persuaded that you are always glad to hear’from anyone who has aught to say for the good of education, the moral part in particular, for is not this what the world is crying out for at the present moment, as evidenced by the Disarmament Conference now sitting. With- your cooperation, I dare to say that even we can do much towards assisting .the world out of its present unhappy dilemma into a- joyous, loving, hearted people, by simple common sense methods, of which I propose to speak in future with unconventional freedom, because 1 slel that it is my privilege to do so, having educated a large family in this Dominion, and when the war* broke out my sons were amongst the first at the front. ' “NoW that the war is over, 1 feel if is up to us to do all in our power to help the-discordant nations, to bury the hatchet and get busy beating then swords into plough-shares and spears into pruning hookg, for this will he. found a much more congenial occupation than killing their fellow-men. ■ ' “As a preliminary step towards hits ideal condition, 1 would suggest thai you call a special meeting oi patents, teachers and scholars to exchangeideas with you concerning the great possibilities, for good that would iesult from a better understanding oi the Biblical golden rule, which I'am endeavouring to impress upon tne plastic minds of children by means or these school rulers. These I can supply to you at 12/ per gross, ‘freight . paid, delivery about January 20, 19~~, provided you let me know your requirements without much delay. Sample ruler is posted herewith. “As i am the registered proprietor of this ruler, I can guarantee that no trade advertisement will ever he permitted to appear thereon; further, l , heartily agree with 'all teachers who think that school rulers should not Lr.i used as a medium for advertising patent medicines, cigarettes, or any such like goods, which may not conducive to children's best welfare.