FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 394, 30 June 1928, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By “THE LOOK-OUT MAN.” BARA AVIS From an advertisement: “Our dolls are just like real babies. They talk, walk, and go to sleep when laid down.” The L.O.M. has heard of babies like that, but never seen one. NO COMPETITION A correspondent from Taihape says that his town is further from the sea than any other place of its size in New Zealand. The reception of this news in Takapuna will be attended with a feeling of relief. TICKLED TO DEATH An elderly Aucklander told the L.O.M. recently that, in the face of great opposition from his family, he had refused to divest himself of what others considered superfluous whiskers. All through the humiliating days of the great “beaver” period, he clung to his badge of Victorian respectability in the pathetic hope that bushy moustaches and beards would eventually become fashionable once more. On being told of this our flapper niece remarked that, if the old man’s belief were to come to pass, some of her friends would be “tickled to death.” SHOOTING LINES AT SEA Ships over 500 tons will be compelled, if a Bill at present before the House of Commons is passed, to carry apparatus capable of throwing a rope at least 150 yards. This safety provision could be easily met by a specially-designed rifle at present used in the Navy, for passing lines between ships at sea, in the event of a breakdown or other mishap. About the size of the ordinary service weapon, the “rifle” shoots a rod to which is attached a light line. To this a heavier line is made fast and hauled aboard the ship in distress. * * m PASSING FANCIES Sunbeams are said to be the most suitable timber for building castles in the air. Only one object in the world walks with Its head downward, and that is a nail in a shoe, so look up. With all these tales of political corruption before us, we are forced to the conclusion that the only men really above board are chess men. Most inventors of the day are working, not for the good of the race, but to fill their own pockets. How different it was in the old days. All Stephenson had, for example, was a locomotive. It is & curious thing that we often return, but never borrow, thanks. THE BREAD LINE A thousand men are unemployed in Auckland, and of that number, which is a moderate estimate, about 400 are continuously on the “bread line.” They are glad and grateful for a dish of soup every day from that fount of sympathy, the Anglican City Mission, whose service is more valuable than a score of doctrines. This practice of Christian charity lias been going on daily since April of last year. It is a story that might well shame the politicians into remedial action. The sentimental aspect of the himentable business need not be elaborated. It is plain enough to be a mockery of civic pride and community gaiety and progress. Let hard-headed business men consider the material folly of the unemployment situation. The fact that 300 men (to take the lowest average) have been driven to the city’s soup kitchen every day for fifteen months means that the loss of wages has not been less than £50,000. In all probability the loss has been twice that sum. Isn’t it about time that something should be done by the Government and country to make an end to a national disgrace?

PROFESSIONAL REFEREES A member of the Auckland Rugby League Executive has suggested that referees in all the principal matches should be paid. There is a great deal to be said in support of the idea, but there are some disadvantages to be considered. In other countries, where football referees have been paid for years past, the players enjoy an exceptionally high standard of efficient control. But the public, knowing that the referee is well paid for his work, howl all the more loudly if and when he does not appear to earn his wages. Professionalism ends the generous spirit of crowds whose attitude to amateur referees is expressed in the saying: “Don’t kick the referee; he is doing his best in a thankless job.” But it is in Melbourne, more than anywhere else, that referees are worthy even of a barrister’s fees. There, in the Victorian football game, the referee is escorted on and off by two mounted policemen. And be needs them.