Current Comment

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1940, Page 10

Current Comment

(By M.O.S.)

Other Points of View

Lon-done? Never! # # # * Japanese Into-China? # * # * Capital punishment is not having the desired effect. # # * * Guns on the French coast— in British coastal towns the shelters are now shellters. * * # • Much bombing of the East End— at any rate the Nazis are helping Britain demolish her slums. * # * # The annoyances of war — London has its delayed-action bombs and New Zealand has its delayed-action mines. * # # * Answer to Correspondent.— No, Aggie, we understand tliat the outbreak of measles affecting military camps is not of the German variety due to the work of fifth columnists. • # * * Mortgage For Salp — Advt. M.O.S., who has filled many roles from Chief Haystack-Searcher of the Needles Division to Rent Collector for the Houses of Parliament, well recalls the time when we used to breed these interesting little animals. Often would we lie awake at night listening to their quiet rustling .in the paddocks as they ate a few cows for supper on their way home to roost. Friendly little things, they were quiet, tame and constant companions, but a word of warning must be issued. We ran some once with a fine bull, PostDated Cheque, but he wasn't worth twopence and we succeeded only in breeding Troubles. Finally we were persuaded to take a ticket in Tatt's with what remained from the sale of the furniture and, having won the first prize, we gave the little blighters away. . Properly dressed by an expert, a choice table mortgage will put on a lot of flesb and will also provide good pickings. If well cared for they will live to a great age and a lot of milk can be squeezed out of them, while they are often much favoured as town pets by business men, who keep farms to run them on. Personally we would rather keep a couple of tigers. At least you'd know that once they were locked up they couldn't do you any harm. # # # » London 's anti-aircraft barrage is a curtaln of fire. i And no doubt the searchlights act as a blind. * • * * Gales are whipping up the English Channel for the invader. Hurricanes over the South Coast also make things difficult. # # # # At one stage the referee was projected from the r.ing-Wrestling report. Hardlv an educational project. # # * * London must choose the fate of Paris or Warsaw, said a German spokesman.^ She will probably hold out for Berlin or Bust. * # * * Londoners have gained added cheerfulness through the success of the anti' aircraft barrage. A cockney-eyed world might be better than the present cock-eyed one. # # * ♦ Taranaki scenic resorts were entitled to more generous publicity, it was suggested. One can tell a man about Mt. Egmont. but can one make him want to visit it? * # The Patea schoql committee has resi.gned in a body because part of the school playing area is to be used for a site of a house. Grounds for action. * * * * English Fram for Sale. —Advt. Complete with gas mask and air raid shelter. we presume. * * * * Further experiments are to be conducted by the New Plymouth Borough Council in the use of reflectors at pedestrian crossings. Reflection on the part of both pedestrians and motorists is also helpful. i* * * * Rumanian soldiers leaving Transylvania are reported to have broken down a triumphal arch bearing portraits of Hitler, Mussolini and Horthy. Probably regarded them as the archvillains. # ♦ * * Over The Cliff We Go. Woolcombe Terrace is, of course, the first part of New Plymouth to disappear in every storm.— Anti-rumour article. Uncle M.O.S. is feeling in a reminiscent mood to-day: The last time the Terrace broke away (you may remember the February downpour?) we happened to be Bitting on it with our portable radio set and eating fish and chips. Quickly inserting the waterproof paper beneath the detached section of cliff to prevent it from sinking, we radioed a "lost" advertisement to the leading newspapers in the hope that the Navy Department would send someone out to collect us when they started work again on the Monday morning. We then settled down to read the news presented to us with our chips, sitting still to avoid attracting the attention of seagulls. A smudge of smoke appeared on the horizon after long weary days had passed and we paddled briskly towards it with our Last and/or Remaining Strength. "Art going t' Noo Zealand, lad?" we inquired, preparing to pay the fare. "Jah! Drang Nach Osten!" was the reply wrapped round a bullet we caught as it went by and, -perceiving the vessel to be the enemy raider we had read about many weeks later, we hurriedly reached down for the greaseproof paper and transferred the salt still upon it to the enemy's stern. Then clutching the Plimsoll Mark as the cliff sank beneath the waves, we kommanded the Kommodor to steer for New Plymouth. And there, for all you know, we are still. * • # • If that were in practice in New Zealand the farmer would not need to worry, said Mr. H. E. Blyde concerning a statement that in England ordinary businesses, including farming, could make up to £1000 without being subject to an excess profits tax. Since when have New Zealand farmers been making other than a loss? * * * * If there were to be only one mail collection a day at New Plymouth because of shortage of post office staff. it has been suggested, it should be a night collection. As a gesture of conformity perhaps business houses will each keep on a staff member at night to collect mail deliveries. • • * * Guarded Statement. (English stud sheep breeders are to be invited to send their stock to New Zealand for safe guardianship) . The life of a sheep on a British stud farm Is apt to be risky. 'tis thought, For raids or invasion may do them some harm— The prospect makes one feel distraught. The morale of a nation depends not on (Though their veins may run rich with blue blood); But for hurt to their children iet no mothers weep While we endeavour to collar the stud.