LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 76, 10 January 1949, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Peat Fire at WillGwby Startingm grass and spreading to peat nearby," a, fire at Willowby, on Saturday afternoon, necessitated a call for the services of the Ashburton County Council fire-fighting plant. The blaze was extinguished after only about a quarter-acre of peat had been destroyed.

Visit of Health Minister Further advice regarding the visit to Ashburton of the Minister of Health (Miss Mabel Howard) ,lias been received by the Mayor (Mr E. C. Bathurst). The Minister is now expected to arrive at Tuarangi Home about noon to-morrow, and will have luncheon there, also make an inspection. She is expected at the Ashburton Hospital at 2.30. Accompanying her will be her private secretary (Mr M. Malempre) and Mrs Green, of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, which controls the Tuarangi Home.

Dismal Leave for Sailors

Most of the 240 former Royal Navy rating's who arrived in Auckland on Wednesday in the four new frigates face the prospect of three dismal weeks ashore because no official leave or accommodation arrangements have been made. They left the ships on Saturday. “We have two alternatives,” one Englishman said. “Either we go ashore and do our best to find somewhere to stop or rejoin the ship, where we will lose shore allowance and have to work during the mornings. It’s been a long trip out, and we would like tcf see something of the country.”—P.A.

Status of the Maori

Asked at a press conference in Montreal about the’ status of the Maori in New Zealand, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) said: “They live on grounds of, social, economic, and educational equality with ourselves. They are fully represented in Parliament —they have four very good members, all Labour, supporting my Government. The Maoris have shown what can be done by native races in 100 years if they are given a dialled. Australian aborigines have proved the same when they have been given the opportunity. I certainly hope the Dutch’will be able to reach a solution of their problems with the Republicans in Indonesia, so that the natives there will be able to get on with the shaping of their own destiny.”—Ottawa, January 8.

Impression of Mr Fraser The Montreal “Daily Star” describes Mr Fraser—who arrived in Canada on Friday—as “strictly the type of man you are accustomed to talking to over the hack fence.” It adds: “But if any man talking over youl- bade, fence was as incisive and sensible as Mr Peter Fraser, you would know you were trading words with an extraordinary individual.” The “Daily Star” says: “Mr Fraser looked like any dishevelled traveller when he arrived at Montreal, but once he started to talk to reporters this ordinary aspect vanished. He started the interview by referring boldly to the ‘British’ Commonwealth of Nations. Asked wheher he approved of dropping the word ‘British,’ Mr Fraser replied: ‘lt is a good idea to keep “British” in the title because Britain is the hub of this association of nations. I have no quarrel. with anyone who drops the word “British” but I will certainly always use it.’”— Ottawa, January 8.