From The Watch Tower

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 984, 29 May 1930, Page 10

From The Watch Tower

By

“THE LOOK-OUT MAN.”

METHODS DIFFER Serious differences, involA 7 ing the use of fisticuffs over telephone messages, have made it necessary for the Christchurch City Council to abolish telephones at taxi stands. In militant Chicago, when taxi-drivers meet, And on some point of business disagree, As like as not they stage revolver duels in the street— The victor gains a trade monopoly. In Christchurch, taxi squabbles have been termed "a civil war,” But points are scored with fisticuffs alone. Yet anxious City Fathers find occasion to deplore Each fracas at a ringing telephone. AVe Aucklanders are luckier: Each taximan of rank A test of patient fortitude declares; Replacing gun and fisticuff, or other violent prank, With popular reductions in his fares! M.E. LUCKY THIRTEEN Though New Zealand’s Official Year Book is singularly reticent on the subject, there are certain financial reasons why Cabinet portfolios are always in keen demand in political circles. The Hon. G. W. Forbes, principal of the Lucky Thirteen tvhose names were announced yesterday, henceforth Avill draw the Prime Minister’s salary of £I,BOO a year, Avhile bis colleagues will receive £1,170 a year each. Each salary is increased by £2OO if no Government residence is provided. Before 1921, when the Civil Service cut was made, Ministers of the Crown dretv £2OO more, but they stepped into line with their departmental officers and submitted to reductions. At present New Zea* land’s best paid political office is that of High Commissioner, which carries with it a salary of £2,000. Curiously enough there are still people who consider that their chief administrative group are too highly - rewarded for services rendered. IN OTHER LANDS Ministerial salaries in other parts of the Empire vary considerably. The Prime Minister of Australia receives £2,100, and his colleagues £1,650 each. In South Africa the Prime Minister makes shift with £3,500 and each of his Ministers with £2,500. Canada pays her Prime Minister 15,000 dollars and her portfolio holders 10,000 dollars each. In Britain Mr. Ramsay MacDonald draws £5,000 and the salaries of Cabinet Ministers range from £2,000 to the Lord High Chancellor’s modest £IO,OOO. Such figures as these perhaps tend to dAvarf New Zealand remunerations, at least in the eyes of those who receive them, but the ordinary taxpayer, even in this country, may be pardoned for meditating on the financial advantages of a smaller Cabinet. It is on record that a Prime Minister of New Zealand once said: “Give me half a dozen secretaries and I’ll run the country.” Certainly that would be a cheaper method. Or we could quote a price to Mussolini, who might consider taking sole charge, thus filling in his week-ends. FERRY AGILITY

Habitual users of City trams will be intrigued to learn that their grim, sardine-like experiences at rush hours are of value to the Devonport Ferry Company on holiday occasions when city dwellers hie to the North Shore. Said a speaker in dealing Avith the question of improved gangway facilities at. DeA'onport: “De\’onport people are much easier going. On race days the people from Auckland, used to hurrying on and off trams, actually get on and off the boats in half the time that regular passengers take.” North Shore stalAvarts should not take this lying dOAvn, particularly in view of the exploits of those athletes who leap from bubwark to wharf and wharf to bulwark as each ferry moves to its berth. The most agile of our tram users can point to r.othing in their daily migration half as exciting and time-saving as this.

HOW IS IT DONE

BulAvark-leaping is by no means a casual or unmethodical art, and the modus operandi of the business must be studied with care. The experienced leaper waits until the journey is nearly at an end and then makes his appearance and ascertains the height of the wharf above sea-level. -If the tide is high he Avaits on the lower deck, but if it is low he stands at the rail above. Next comes the anticipation of the steamer’s berthing method. Sometimes she touches the Avharf fender AA-ith her forward quarter and sometimes the point of contact is further aft. Shrewd leapers are able to select and wait at exactly the right spot and, as soon as the vessel touches, they are over and away. Others, AA-hose judgment has been faulty, wait sheepishly until the gangway creaks down. Of course, bul- j wark-leaping is against the regula- ] tions and inexcusably dangerous. ■ NeA T ertheless ferry passengers must i have something with which to answer j these charges of slothfulness, j