FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 85, 1 July 1927, Page 8

F ROM THE WATCH TOWER

By the LOOK-OUT MAN AREN’T WE ALL?”

Could you Imagine Mr. Wright, the Minister ot Education, as "an old, hard, shell-backed Tory?” Oh, no! But that’s what an elector once called Mr. Wright. When, later, he told Mr. Wright he Aas going to vote tor him, the astonished candidate asked why. “Oh,” said the elector, “Ive drawn you in a sweep, and if you don’t win I don’t get the money.” That man voted tor his own gain. Doesn’t every voter vote for something in the way of legislation for improved working con--1 ditions, improves wages—or improved profits? It is to he feared that electors are not altruistic. In fact, the man who voted “for the good of his country,” when he was really voting . for a sweepstake, was a humbug. And 'aren’t we all? -HE WHO HOLDS THE PURSE These community bus people are still wrangling. Mr. Schmidt must be commended for his tenacity. Though members of the club which runs the buses met in Mr. Schmidt’s own house and were doubtless treated with the customary Schmiditian hospitality, they resolved that Mr. Schmidt was no longer president. Mr. Schmidt remains adamant. He says he is president. He who holds the purse holds the power. Mr. Schmidt says the only money received from fares goes into the bank, and the bank won’t pay out to anyone's orders but those of Mr. Schmidt and his secretary. If that be so, the bus drivers will naturally look to the man who pays them as the Boss—and there you are! Likely enough, the bank may refuse to pay out to anybody if the chaos continues, and there will be a nice little tangle for the courts to unravel. It's a poor squabble that does not blow the lawyers some good. COMMENTS UNNECESSARY Extract from reports in daily newspaper : The Timber Industry.—ln view of the distress which exists among timber workers, Mr-. 11. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, asked the Prime Minister, in the House, whether he would treat the Tariff Commission’s report as urgent. . . . The Minister of Customs . . . said the report would not be available for some time. Jazz Luxury.—lntroducing in Auckland a dancing floor, mounted on rubber blocks. ... In this case the timber employed will be Canadian maple. PATIENTS WHO WON’T PAY It is the old story of those who will pay paying for those who won’t. The conference of Associated Hospital Boards has been bemoaning the difficulties experienced in recovering hospital and maintenance fees from single men without dependants and from Maoris. When some of these young men “take up their beds and walk” in the matter" of cure, they keep on walking. True, they very considerately leave the beds, but they also leave their unsettled accounts. The Maoris, being so used to getting something for nothing, naturally look upon hospitals as free institutions. Under the present system the hospitals seem to be just naturally drifting toward nationalisation, including the principle of free treatment for all, rich or poor. It is a principle which has as much argument in its favour as against, and it would at least place the financial burden of health upon the shoulders of all in due proportion.

ONE-EIGHTIETH Executioners appear to be losing popularity in Russia. According to a cable message, a Russian tribunal has condemned to death a Lieutenant Malfin, formerly an o' .er in Koltchak’s army, on a charge f having ordered the shooting of 80 other persons. It seems a pity that Malfin can only get one-eightieth of what is due to him; that he cannot be fatally shot eighty times. This is the kind of incongruous circumstance which makes even irreligious people wish for a faith in the gospel of punishment hereafter, so that persons like Malfiin could be paid in full. g.IRFUT RISE IN FAVOUR Railway working profits for May show an increase of £38,000 over those for the corresponding period of last year, the gain being mainly in the North Island. Good for the North! Also, good for the policy that is producing results, even in mid-winter! Take passenger traffic. A few months back the suburban trains rattled into the city with their long carriages almost empty. Now they are filied. Cheaper fares brought about this welcome and inspiring change. Since the rolling stock must be used in any case, those who manage the railways realise that it is better to carry 190 passengers at 3d than 20 at 4d a head. The point should protrude sufficiently for even the Auckland tramways management to see it.