LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 267, 22 August 1945, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Catholic Club. There was a good attendance at the weekly meeting of the Ashburton Catholic Club last evening, which took the form of a table tennis competition, all present taking part. The president (Mr P. X. McDonnell) presided. Timaru Competitions. At the Timaru Competitions yesterday, Ruth Hanson (Ashburton) was placed second in the Tap Dance, under 12, with 75 points, one point behind the winner. Keith Tonics (Ashburton) was very highly commended in the .Action Song, Girls and Boys under 143. Food Rationing. Food rationing would have to be continued until the food situation in Britain and Europe had improved, said the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) speaking in the House of Representatives last evening. It would also be necessary to maintain tyre and rubber control until rubber became more plentiful.—(P.A.)

V-J Day Incident. A bridal couple who emerged from a taxi at a photographer's studio in Lambton Quay, Wellington, on V-.T Day were immediately surrounded by a hilarious crowd. Unable to escape because the photographer’s dooi; was momentarily closed, they were pinned against the building, photographed, congratulated and mercilessly teased. A sailor with a mandolin wanted to kiss the bride, hut the groom stood in the way in an over-my-dead-body manner. So the sailor kissed the groom..

Telephones Still Out. Of the 1200-odd telephones connected to the Ashburton exchange, 236 subscribers cut off because of damage during the snow are still without service. This number comprises mostly party lines in the country, but there are still several subscribers in the Borough without a service. In these latter cases there is usually damage to poles involved, and the repair gangs have not so far been available from more urgent jobs in the country to effect repairs.

Hampstead Red Cross The monthly meeting of the Hampstead Sub-branch of the Red Cross Society was held last evening. The president (Mrs W. 11. Robinson) presided over a fair attendance. The sum of £lO was granted to the Subsidiary Fund and £3 3s to the Relief Fund. Gifts of clothing for devastated areas were handed in and wool distributed. It was decided to approach district organisations with a view to holding a victory community sing on September 5 to celebrate the cessation of hostilities.

Children’s Library Opened. The children’s library, opposite the adult library, was opened yesterday afternoon. In addition to the children’s books from the Municipal Library, there are about 200 from the Country Library Service on the shelves. The library will be open from 3.15 to 4.15 from Monday to Friday and for a few hours on Saturday mx>rnings. Teachers from the various schools will he in charge of the children.

Shipping Costs. Part of the recent increase of 31d an hour granted NeW Zealand waterside workers “by the (Waterfront Control Commission will have to be borne indirectly by the British taxpayer who through the Ministry of Shipping, meets the working costs of United Kingdom ships. Since early in the war (states the “New Zealand Herald”) British shipping companies have operated their ships at the direction of the Ministry, which meets losses, and guarantees the individual companies an annual profit equal to their average profit over the three years • prior to 1939. Work on American vessels in Dominion ports is met by the New Zealand taxpayer through reverse lend-lease and the same man as a consumer bears the increased cost of local shipping by paying higher prices for articles carried at sea under higher rates.

Financing of Heritage. A, recent meeting of the national council of the Heritage movement discussed the question of financing its work for the children of deceased servicemen and decided not to make any widespread national appeal for funds in the meantime. Reports from branches indicated that substantial support was being given and that both substantial donations and legacies were being received.lt was clear, therefore, that all branches had ample funds to meet present calls, but as the great majority of those children were at present under ten years old, it was realised that substantial funds would be required in the future. The peak of the. work was likely to come from seven years onwards, and substantial capital sums would then be needed. Heritage Responsibility. 'lnteresting information as to how many children of deceased servicemen of the present war there are in New Zealand was given to the national council of the Heritage movement at a recent meeting in Wellington. _ It showed that the lists of Heritage branches name 891 war widows, with 1377 children. As most branches have icoine across one or more cases not officially notified, it is. probable that the actual number is greater than the figures show. The greatest number of children are to be found between the ages of five and 15, there being only 110 over 15. The age details make it clear that the major work of Heritage, founded to assist the children of the men who gave their lives for their country, will be over the next 12 years, although it will continue to be needed for much longer than that. Industrial Relations. ‘•'lt will be for the annual conference to say whether it shall be war between employers and employees or not,” said Mr A. 0. Stephens during a discussion on industrial relations at tho monthly meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce last evening. Mr Stephens suggested that the chamber should send a remit to the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce asking chambers throughout New Zealand 1o do all in their power to improve relations between employers and employees. Personally he thought there had been war between employers arid employees long enough, and it was time there was a reversal of the attitude. The president (Mr A. P. Greenheld) said that no doubt there was a breach, and a very wide breach, between employers and employees, and it would have to be healed before they conlcl inarch clown the road of prosperity. The chamber approved of Mr Stephen’s suggestion, anil it was decided that a suitable remit should be framed for submission to (lie annual conference. —P.A.