Tag: Politics
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The Rainmakers
The context for this Bittie was the Water Supplies (Exceptional Shortage Orders) Bill of April 1934, which introduced powers to regulate the use of water. As it turned out, it began to rain heavily no sooner than the Bill had been passed.
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Fermin’ an’ Frettin’
Barrowsgate despairs at the constant pessimism shown by farmers. The Walter Elliot referred to in this Bittie was a Scottish politician who, at the time of the article, was Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. He was credited with introducing the Agricultural Marketing Act which sought to protect food producers from going bankrupt amidst surpluses…
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The Milk Pool
Barrowsgate’s dairy cows are unhappy. Peter, the young bullock, explains that this is because the dairy farmer only gets a fraction of the cost of a pint of milk to the consumer. The cows blame the Milk Pool for setting the price that the farmer gets at too low a value, undermining the long-term viability…
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Economy – A Savin’ Disgrace
Barrowsgate thinks that “economy” is just another word for greed, and cites the example of a Mayor of London who used to make his tobacco go a long way by first chewing it, then smoking it, and then smoking the ash.
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The Traffic Problem
Barrowsgate came across a report by the town council about the traffic congestion in Aberdeen city centre when there is a football match on. He responds sarcastically to the suggestion that all traffic coming in from the countryside should be halted some distance from the city centre on match days. Barrowsgate is amused that the…
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Eggs, Assorted
Barrowsgate reads a Board of Trade report showing that millions of eggs are imported every year. He reflects on the humble egg in its many forms.
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Hikers’ Hostels
Barrowsgate pokes fun at the new trend for Hikers’ Hostels, pointing out that they are just the same as the old lodging houses, rebranded.
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“The Auld Tongue”
Barrowsgate remembers a farmer’s son who, having spent some time in London, spoke in a genteel manner on his return. However, he forgot his airs and graces when he trod on a barrel hoop, and reverted to his mother tongue with some choice Doric words.
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The Repeal of Prohibition in America
In 1933, the USA repealed the alcohol prohibition laws that had been in place since 1919. Barrowsgate notes that Scottish distilleries are working overtime to keep up with the demand and that the repeal is good news for Scotland.
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The Scots – Their Reet an’ Rise
Barrowsgate is not impressed with an account of a talk given by Lord Raglan at the British Association (for the Advancement of Science) in which he suggests that the Scots are not an ancient race. With a combination of logic and the Old Testament, Barrowsgate demolishes Raglan’s argument. Like Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Lord Raglan was…