Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1911, Page 914

Notes

Under the Hat - r;:-. ‘No country in the world/ says the Outfitter,, ‘can produce a silk hat of such high quality as the English.' ‘lt is,’ comments Punch, ‘in what the hat covers that we are sometimes outclassed.’ Mr. Asquith’s Pledges Mr. Asquith seems to be ladling out pledges in all directions. In a recent letter he suggests that a new Education Bill is a probability of this Parliament. Receiving a resolution with regard to the grievances of Nonconformists under the Education Acts, he says that ‘ it will receive most careful and sympathetic consideration, which I trust will assume the form of legislation before; this Parliament comes to an end.’ To the United Kingdom Alliance the Prime Minister has repeated his pledge that temperance; legislation should be among the first fruits of our recovered Constitution, and expressed his determination

to introduce in the House of Commons a measure on the lines of the Licensing Bill of 1908 as a minimum. _ Wales already has a pledge in respect to Welsh Disestablishment; Labor, in respect to Payment for Members; and, of course, the Nationalists have a very definite and explicit pledge in regard to Home Rule. The militant suffragistswho are making the biggest fight to get a —seem to be about tho only people who are unable to extract one. Getting Home on the Bachelors At the present time the Rural Councils in Ireland are engaged in considering applications and representations under the recent Laborers’ Acts (which correspond to our New Zealand Workmen’s Homes legislation) and in view of the irrepressible Irish wit and love of fun it was only to be expected that the otherwise dry proceedings would be enlivened by many an amusing dialogue and passage-at-arras. A typical instance is described in the Dublin Freeman's Journal of March 25, when, at a special meeting of the Edenderry No. 1 Rural Council, matters suddenly took an interesting turn, and a veritable war was waged on unmarried laborers. Patrick Farrelly, a beardless son cf toil, who looked about 18, was one of the applicants. . As he entered the Boardroom the chairman (Mr. D. Sheil) said— is a shop boy apparently. Mr. M. MooreHe looks more like a jockey, Mr. Chairman (laughter). Were you ever at the Curragh, Farrelly ? The applicant (indignantly)—Certainly not. Are you married?—Not yet. 1 am thinking ,of it (laughter). The Chairman These intentions are very good, but I regiet to say that the laborers very seldom carry them out, Mr. Donnelly, D.C., said he could assure the Council that if this man got a cottage ho would get married. The Chairman all say that, but when it comes to tho point they fight shy. We will only have to take the cottages from any laborers who refuse to get married (To the applicant)—Your application is passed, but understand that if you don’t get married you won’t get the cottage ultimately. _ , The applicant—l will want the cottage before I . get the wife. The Chairman—Yes, but if you don’t get married when you do get the cottage you will be put out. Another applicant (James Dunne) resented the Council’s suggestions regarding the advisability of his getting married, and added, amidst a good deal of laughter, that his questioner (Mr. Moore, D.C.) ‘could go to the Privy Council about it.’ This application was refused. John Finn applied for a cottage on Mr. Moore’s land. Mr. Moore—l have no objection if the man is married, but lam sworn against bachelors (laughter)—l have a horror of them (laughter). The applicant you are one yourself, sir (loud laughter). Mr. Moore—lf this man promises me that he will «-et married I won’t object. ° The applicant—Now I’m ‘cornered’ (loud laughter). Clerk (to tho applicant)—Promise you’ll get married and you’re all right. The applicantl would break your word (laughter). Mr, Moore — If you don’t keep your promise you won’t got the cottage. The applicant—l will do my best. i Mr. Moore—lf these fellows don’t get married they should be all evicted. Nineteen applications Were passed altogether, and in every case that was rejected the chief .ground of objection was that the applicant was unmarried.