Annotations of Annabel

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 12, 16 November 1928, Page 13

Annotations of Annabel

DEAREST: The hour approaches, boards are up and microphone in place, the die will be cast on the morn’s morn; so that even the most apathetic, the newest visitor to our shores, is galvanised to fleeting interest in fortunes of war that, on the day of fate, will leave New Zealand firmly fixed on the path of progression or retrogression, just as one looks at it. Meantime, each to his taste, we plume ourselves on the chances of our chosen, our pet protagonist, our fancy man; who, poor thankful soul, if his star be kind, quite soon will reach "port after stormy seas," and, basking in sunshine of success, blithly carol "Peace, lovely peace !" NO partisan of parties, yet are my "" gympathies with Miss Ellen Melville, of the Northern City, in her gallant and persistent struggle towards the light that will beat upon a woman representative in the Parliament of New Zealand. In passing, also, I record regret that the Independent Labour candidate for Wellington Central was heckled and harried in her endeavour to address recent meetings. Greatly it goes against inbred instinct for fair play in all contests, be they politics or prize fights, that a woman should be subjected to treatment of an essentially non-Quixotic character, and refused decent hearing through outrageous interruptions from hooligan members of the party she is out to represent. LSO we come to the Great Question, "To beer or not to beer !" causing rank and file doubtfully to wriggle under fulmination from soapbox and pulpit, pamphleteer and special pleader. Well-meaning fanatics instruct and exhort to the path of penitence, the way of all flesh. Myself, I confess to penchant for old, trite slogan of ‘‘Britons never will be slaves," and after obstinate fashion of my race, prefer to pick out my own tow-line with which to yank myself to social salvation or disaster. Well

the numbers will soon be up; and at this last minute we are all very wideawake and sturdily cognisant that on election day JEngland expects every man to insist on doing his duty. This, of course, embracing Fiverywoman, who, enthusiastic at this particular juncture, needs no reminder of that little journey to the poll. N attractive town is Dunedin, its hills and vales of arresting beauty. And sometimes, in a gogetting age, capable of a generosity of the spirit, as well as in material things, exemplified in the camaraderie and kindness of a recent incident. During financially straitened period of civie service, it being necessary temporarily to retrench among tramway officials, some of the employees voluntarily forfeited positions in favour of married brethren; although to the working man, who seldom has financial resources beyond the weekly "screw," its relinquishment spells, if not disaster, at least considerable sacrifice of self. T'o such unostentatious followers of the doctrine of the Sermon on the Mount we accord vicarious and shamefaced applause, pondering doubtfully on capacity to emulate that high standard of kindness.

NE beauty of the spirit, another of physical things. Wind-swept sky at sunset across Plimmerton waters; rain-bespattered streets through which we drive’ with the friend of our heart, very aware of washed vistas and elusive reflections that call mystery from menacing shadows; morning light on a gorse-be-gemmed hill of hope; sweep of great culls as they circle around wharves and ships; loveliness of a woman’s head, perchance that of Miss Margaret Bannerman, reared upon slender neck, the length and grace of which adds a distinction which it may be is the most entrancing note in tke gamut of feminine charm.

Your

ANNABEL

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