FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1050, 14 August 1930, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By

"THE LOOK-OUT MAN.

B A BUIXG 11 R . 1 DM .1 .V It’s going to be followed with yreat curiosity. Finding expression on many a tongue. Discussed and debated in heated verbos ity, Looked for with interest by old and by young. Wagered upon in all grades of society. Anticipated in country and town, Awaited by some with no little anxiety, Greeted by either a smile or a frown. Predicted by experts with shrewd perspicacity, This little topic the world will enthrall, Already a subject for eager loquacity It's sure to claim the attention of all. With excitement and interest spectators are yammering, (What it’s about you have probably guessed), For this is the question that everyone’s clamouring: “What will he knock up this time in the Test?” PAKITI. FROCKS AND TAGS Seemingly it is a heinous crime to copy a Paris model gown “on the spot.” Two American women living in the Gay City suffered the ir*lignity of a police raid on their home because they were suspected of “a plot to steal copies of winter modes." Here, with a vengeance, is an example of the autocracy of Dame Fashion. A much more clear-cut example of the exploitation of Parisian model gowns was exposed many years ago by the late Edward Bok. editor of the “Ladies’ Home Journal," who discovered that New York firms had a habit of importing sample frocks, manufacturing duplicates to order, and fitting each fake with a Parisian "tag,’’ imported for the purpose. Curiously enough, although Bok did his level best to stress the gross unfairness of this exploitation, the system continued to flourish. Obviously women did not care. As long as their gowns had Paris tags and deceived their friends, they were satisfied to pay fantastic sums for homemade “models.” Bok, one of the greatest magazine editors America lias produced, counted this fruitless crusade as a complete failure and a lesson In the psychology of womankind. ’KLPIXG THE HEMI’IRE An intimate glimpse of Mr. J. II Thomas, Dominions Secretary, is supplied by the London “Daily Mail," whoso Parliamentary correspondent writes: “Mr. Thomas Is a man who at all times commands admiration, bu f he has a failing which persists through all his Ministerial translations, and that is his misappropriation of aspirates. He finds it more difficult to place the ‘altches’ in regular employment than ever did the most stubborn out-of-work on the dole. The general opinion is that this is a deliberate pretence, a gesture of continued sympathy with the proletariat in whatever circles he may be moving. “Recently he assured the House of his intention to do whatever he could in his new office ‘to hease, mitigate, and ’clp’ the problems of Empire.”

ROMANCE FOR SALE An endeavour is being made to sell by auction the Scottish mountain, Ben Lomond, that lies on the northern shore of the famous Loch. Thus have the exigencies of modern times put to flight romance and Highland tradition. The owner of Loch Lomond is the Earl of Montrose, who possesses in all 115,000 acres. He has announced that because of the high level of taxes he can no longer afford the luxury of the 3,192 ft peak, and is anxious to pass it on for any reasonable otter. For the earl it will be a case of: ” ‘Twas there that we parted in yon shady gien, On the steep, steep side o' Ben Lomond . . . .” And, as the auction progresses, he could murmur: “O, ye'll make a high bid. An’ Fit take a high bid. An* I’ll sign the transfer afore ye: But me and my mountain will ne'er be linked again On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Locli Lomond!” WHAT HE MEANT Recently Sir Ronald Lindsay, Britain’s new Ambassador in the United States, made application to the authorities for permission to import a stock of wines and spirits. Strong advocates of the repeal of Prohibition applauded what they considered to be- a change of policy for, before his retirement, Sir Esme Howard, Sir Ronald's predecessor, announced that he “would import no more liquor into America.” It now appears that Sir Esme was being tactfur rather than sincere in his apparent support of the dry laws and, even in the latter part of his regime, the British Embassy at Washington was never “dry.” Sir Esme, anticipating his recall anrl perceiv ing there was enough liquor to last until his departure, merely announced that he would import no more liquor. Sir Ronald has dispelled the illusion, and, according to correspondents on the spot, is busy putting down a record cellar.