First Thoughts —Amid Second

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 7, 30 March 1927, Page 8

First Thoughts —Amid Second

A STAFF NOTE BOOK BLAMING THE WIRES Ever since an outbreak of fire was first attributed to that cause, it has been increasingly popular to blame the fusing of an electric wire for all or any conflagration—especially when the flames have made a clean sweep and left no evidence. In bygone days, when there was no electric light, there were various things to which blame might be attached: (X) The cat knocked over the candle. (2) Rats nibbled at the wax matches. (3) The kerosene lamp exploded. (4) The wind blew the curtains across the gas jet. (5) Over-consumption of gin, thus causing spontaneous combustion. (6) Any other old cause, guess or excuse. But electricity gets all the blame now and electric power boards get more furious every time the allegation of fused wires is made. Let them take heart of grace; let them be comforted. Soon we shall have elec tricity supplied by wireless to glassless globes—just like turning on daylight—and a new tale will have to be told the insurance companies. OUR APPLES Dominions Secretary Amery, helping to push our products by being photographed alongside of a pyramid of New Zealand apples, recalled, the time ue was in Auckland and climbed to the top of Mourn Eden with Sir James Parr to view liis city—“the most lasting impres sion of his tour.” One wonders whether Sir James, surveying his own Eden from the mount and counting the heads in that elector ate —torn between duty in advocating cheap workers’ tickets to Henderson and fear that he would thus be stacking his constituency with Labour votes —then visualised himself as High Commissioner in London, enlisting the aid of Mr Amery in strenuously exhorting the great British public to eat New Zealand apples. Many of the apples exported to England are grown in Eden, so that in pushing sales Sir James is still being of service to his old constituents. PARLIAMENT’S BRONZE DOORS Parliament House at Wellington has succeeded in keeping the burglars out so far—though it has been unable to keep out some undesirable politicians—without outer doors to reinforce the revolving doors at the main entrance. Seeing that the Government is hard pushed for money, the provision of outer doors might well have waited until the exchequer was full. But not so. It is announced that “massive and dignified bronze gates” are to be erected. Possibly they w-ere ordered to securely guard the anticipated decorations that have NOT been lavishly distributed by the Duke. There is one pleasing feature about these gates, however—that they were manufactured by an Auckland engineering firm, despite the dolorous prognostications that they couldn’t be made in New Zealand. It is surprising what can be made in New Zealand when New Zealand workmen are given the opportunity. -TRAMMY’’ TO PREMIER Lionel Hill, head of the defeated South Australian Labour Government, is yet another illustration of how in these democratic countries we can all become Premiers if we W'ant to. Lionel was a tram-con-ductor, became secretary of the Adelaide Tramwaymen’s Union, got into Parliament and climbed into the Premier’s chair. It is unfortunate for Lionel that he wasn’t there long, for Lionel was a very nice young man—and may still be a very nice (older) man, if he hasn’t been spoilt by elevation. He will be replaced by E. L. Butler, leader of the Liberal Party, a much older stag in the political bush. Our Mr. Ford, general manager of the Auckland tramways, was once a great gun in the Adelaide tramways and had much to do with Lionel Hill when the latter was union secretary, and he says that Lionel was a good man to deal with “straight, and no nonsense.” Mr. Ford was back in Adelaide for a trip recently and Lionel treated him right well. Mr. Ford was lucky to ha.ve paid his visit while Lionel was still Premier, for Premiers can entertain much more adequately tha.n plain Members.