CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2271, 17 August 1908, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Corrcspomlonco on public matters is welcomed at all times, but it must bo distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with tho opinions of its correspondents.J CO-OPERATIVE BAKERY. [To tub Editor.] Sir, —To-night an opportunity is offered to consumers, and particularly to tlio6o who are not endowed with too much of this world’s wealth, and largo families to maint.iin the privilege to obtain at a reasonable price that most essential necessary of life, bread. Will tho peoplo of this town rise to tho occasion and assist us to-night by attending the mooting to bo held in Town ley’s Hall, and help us to break down a largo monopoly, a combine which tolls you and I that our credit is not of tho valuo of a 21b loaf; tint tells us wo must pay the prico they demand of us for bread for our children ,or allow them t 0 starve; a prico that is most unreasonable, unwarrantable, and unjust. That the promoters of this bakery, which is to he purely a co-operalivo concern, and “not” for mercenary motives, lias inspired one of the present combine to endeavor to float his business into a “limited liability company,” purely for gain to thoso within the circle, is now public'property, and there is -i wealth of information now given full publicity which must strengthen tho hands of those who have been tho prime movers in the establishment of a genuine co-operative bakery. But, Mr. Editor, the. information that is contained in the prospectus in one instance is appalling, and that is tho business that is to he carried on by this eoncorn “is not to enter into compel ition with the present ring as long as they don’t cut”; or ,in other words, they propose to wold a stronger link than ever to this ring, and perpetuate the imposition inflicted upon us for so long. Well, Sir, we intend, with the assistance of all right-thinking peoplo to-night, to sell bread to “everyone” at a lower price than is being charged for it at present by tile combine. Of course, it will he said, and has already been stated by some of the promoters of tho “limited liability concern,” tint we will not get a profit or dividend on our shares if we cut the prico of broad, hut wo assure them that we are not moving in tho direction wo aro for “profits” by way of dividends. We have 1 higher ideal in view than tliis; and that is to relieve oppression, and we are prepared to put in our little pound for the cause that needs assistance, not for filthy lucre. Of course a number of those interested in the other concern will grin and pooh-pooli tin's; but then, Sir, it is impossible for those who aro the slaves of selfishness to entertain generous sentiments. Their thoughts must always necessarily be similar to their ways. lam afraid lam taking up too much of your space, and will conclude by asking the workers particularly to rally round tonight. Let us have a bumper house, let them add their names to the already largo list of shareholders, and show a solid front, and success is ours.—l am, etc., “ONE OF THE PROMOTERS.” MR. CLARKSON’S LECTURE. [To the Editor.] Sir,—Mr. Clarkson’s letter is, in my opinion, the most hopeful sign of tho times in New Zealand. Get, and keep, and use, such men as that ono: and then, indeed, New Zealand will bring up a race of giants. Then, as your school boys and girls grow into men and women, you will have a population able to take full advantage of the enormous privileges which your country offers its people. Why should New Zealand turn cut only farmers and wool-growers ? Wily should there,not be great industries of all kinds here, which will bring to Now Zealand the best, because the most enterprising, of our English immigrants ? Why should Now Zealand use so little of her own wool Why should not a hundred industries flourish, and lessen the cost of living for the working classes in New Zealand? Mr. Clarkson’s remarks as to tile existing lack of training of children’s powers of observation were well expressed ami well timed; and liis definition of a scientific man, not a 6 one who has crammed into his head from hooks an illassorted heap of “knowledge” or “information,” Imt as “a man who sees bettor than his fellow men,” is just right. How true this is in many lineg of life. Take the profession of which I am an unworthy member; I know that to be ‘known” as a scientific man in general private practice is often the worst that can happen to him, because the unscientific public arc afraid of him; they imagine ho will “make experiments” upon them, and a great deal more of such nonsense; but a medical man can he scientific on the sly; not let people know that lie uses the science for their benefit which is gained from the laboratory. Take that profession; which are the men who grow from students into practical physicians and surgeons? Very often they are not the brilliant prize-winners of the schools, with special diplomats and degrees, who have been able to cram successfully for examinations; but they are more often those who have trained their sight, touch, senso of smell, hearing, taste, to a high point of sensitiveness; they may possess quite ordinary diplomata; and were not known .as brilliant students so far as “knowing” a lot went, blit they are tho men who, whilst you, the pationts are talking and instructing your doctor, quietly use their powers of observation and sum you up mentally. And w.itli children, as Mr. Clarkson says, teach them to see, and to describe clearly what they sec ; that is the foundation of all education.

I hid given to mo when I was a boy, a diary sqi't of book. Each mouth of the year (it was an ordinary largo diary book) had been ruled off for use into columns, headed for observation. Ono column would bo “birds,” another “flowers and trees,” another “bisects,” and so on; and every now and then I got out my little pocket book, in which I had jotted down what I had seen, and handled and smelt, and tasted, etc., and found worthy of noting. I remember how interested I used to ho in keeping a sharp look-out for the first swallow, or tho departure of the thrush, or the first appearance of the crocus or wild flowers, and thathabit grow with me; and (just to speak of its value to a doctor) merely as a recreation, it has been, and will lie to my last day I hope, one of the greatest blessings of luy life. If I lost the habit half my. interest in existence would bo gone.

And so it is and will bo with anyone olso who is trained ill childhood to observe and describe; obsorvo and describe, accurately, using tho right words, and make deductions from wliat is observed, chocking the truth or falsity of those deductions by the light of thoso who .are older and have attained to a higher degree this power of “seoing.” And then, in later life, when experience has fixed facts and correct deductions in the iniml, comes tho highest delight of all, that of imparting to others (lie results of one’s past observations. —I am, etc., GERARD SMITH.