FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 976, 20 May 1930, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By

“THE LOOK-OUT MAN.”

tI YES, ISN’T IT! A “Good Morning Club” is to be formed in Auckland. The air will resound with the cheerful old gi-eeting, We’ll use it in calling- or bidding adieu, In coming or going, in parting or meeting, “Good morning! Nice morning? Fine thanks, how are you?” We’ll say it, we’ll shout it, we’ll bray it and spout it; We’ll hear it all day, not forget all about it. We’ll cry it, we’ll speak it, we’ll sigh it and squeak it; From each passer-by we will eagerly seek it. We’ll talk it, we’ll write it, we’ll squawk and recite it; When out for a walk from all people invite it. We’ll roar it, and swear it, we’ll snore it and blare it; And so evermore with the world we will share it. We’ll whine it, we’ll growl it, and sign it and scowl it; Each morning at nine the old siren will howl it. We’ll groan it, we’ll squeal it, we’ll moan it, we’ll feel it; The houseflies will drone it; the church bells will peal it. We’ll bottle and can it; with care we will plan it, But let us beware, for the council may ban it! PAKITI. * * * SUTTEEISM A man who takes not his honours lightly is Mr. G. C. Black, United member for Motueka, who has resigned his position as junior Government Whip because “the office was conferred upon me by Sir Joseph Ward personally.” This is loyalty indeed. In fact, to quote the words of a cynical colleague, it is a rare form of political sutteeism. A suttee, be it known, is a Hindu widow who immolates herself on her husband’s pyre. One may only observe that, things being as they were shortly after the general elections, it will be a bad lookout for the United Party if all other members, honoured as was Mr. Black, take it upon themselves to follow his example. * * * FIERY WORDS Every morning Benito Mussolini drinks a glass of milk. This by way of contrast with his forensic achievements later in the day. Italy’s Prime Minister is 48 years of age, and takes a keen personal interest in the increase of his nation’s 41,000,000 of population, a fact which may serve to obviate any suspicion of senility remaining after the reading of his latest, trouble-seeking outburst. “There is great ignorance about us abroad. They think we are a minor people . . . The Fascist will is a will of iron. There are people who think they can isolate Italy, and who would not be averse from starting war against the Italian people even through the territory of a third Power. We await them at the crossing.” So it went —one of the most provocative and inflammatory speeches in modern history—and his cheering audience lapped it up as though it were a pile of spaghetti. The final bombastic utterance was the most remarkable of all: “Right is a vain word unless accompanied by might.” * * * THAT WORD “ISOLATE” And the inferences to be drawn from this aping of truculent Hohenzollerns who discovered the boomerang qualities of the “might is right” principle 15 years ago? Most significant is that little word “isolate”, which crept in amidst the storm of rhetoric. Mussoliui, who has spoken coarsely hut truly of “the glorious fecundity of the Italian nation,” dreams of expansion, and gazes threateningly at those who would stand in his way. His reference to an enemy using the territory of a third Power is a most transparent sneer, as a glance at any modern map of Europe will disclose. For the rest, the Dictator’s speech is militaristic chest-thumping of the old but still dangerous order. The man who once said “Several times has Fascism trampled on the prostrate form of democracy, and she will do so again,” has outdone all previous efforts. Mussolini amuses himself by playing the violin. So did Nero. Rome blazed. WANTON CRUELTY The action of a Huntly woman who threw scalding water over a dog because it frightened her baby may be excused to some extent on the grounds of provocation. Nevertheless, it is callousness of this kind that so abundantly justifies the existence or the S.P.C.A. Unfortunately, examples of senseless, wanton cruelty are by no means rare. A month or two ago in the United States city, St. Louis, an evening wayfarer came across a whimpering puppy. Its lips were sewn together with heavy cord. The suffering creature was destroyed, and rewards totalling nearly £I,OOO were offered to him who should find the torturer. From the Mayor of Dallas. Texas, came a telegram, “If you catch the scoundrel, ship him to Dallas. We have a way of dealing with these fellows” Unhappily, no arrest was made.