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Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 5, 7 January 1922, Page 6

The Manuka left Sydney at 4 p.m. on the sth inst., and is due at Auckland on Monday. She has "217 bags of Australian mail, and, in addition, four bags from the East and three from South Africa. Sixty-five bags represent the Auckland portion of the mail. An interesting report on lab'»u/ conditions and the rates of wages in New York State was issued recently. A special inquiry was inaugurated and replies were received concerning Ml plants which normally employ more than 300,----000 workers. Nearly 500 of these factories have made decreases in wage rates. The report states that the increment for the downward revision of wage rates was started on a large scale in January, 1921, and since then wages have been reduced "in nearly every manufacturing industry of the State." The reductions now reported rang: from 2 per cent, to 40 per cent., but nearly half of them are between 10 and 15 per cent. The slogan "Keep the cradles full" is not thoroughly popular -with some people. People in search of homes know something of this strange antipathy. The wife of a well-known Auckland resident went to a suburb the other eiay to inquire about a house which was advertised to let. After explaining the reason for her call she was given some casual particulars about th«< dwelling, which was empty. "Of course, I have children," she added. "Kids," replied the other woman with evident "disgust, accompanied by a stony stare, "I wouldn't have them about the place." "Thanks," replied the caller with a smile, "I am too proud of my children to have them associated with you in any way. although you were a sort of a child yourself at one time, no doubt." They parted. The rubber industry is at present at a complete standstill in the Federated Malay States, according to a man who arrived in Auckland a few days ago from Singapore, where he has been connected with the industry for some 26 years. Although normally rubber is one of the chief exports from those States the rubber slump has caused the complete cessation of work on the plantations or in the rubber factories, while tremendous stocks comprising hundreds of tons of raw rubber are lying in the huge stores. It is estimated that about 1000 white men (mostly British), who were employed as overseers in the various departments connected with the industry, have been thrown out of employment as a result of the slump. These men have been assisted by the European Unemployment Fund, which was established there two or three years ago, and their passages paid to whatever part of the British Empire they wished to go in search of employment until the industry returns to normal. The Straits Trading Co., whose tin works are said to be the largest in the world, have also experienced a slump, and have had to dismiss most of their employees. The man who supplied the information to a "Star" reporter, and who has a family dependent upon him. has for about a week haunted the various places in this city where casual jobs are most likely to be picked up, but so far without success.

The R.M.s. Tahiti left Tahiti on the 30th ult. for Wellington with 1464 bags I of mail for New Zealand, 689 of which | are from the United Kingdom. In the I total are included 421 bags of parcel i receptacles from the United States. The Tahiti is timed to arrive at Wellington ; on January 1, so that heT Auckland mail should reach here by the morning of the 24th. The Minister of Agriculture and the Director-General of his department were not aware until the matter was mentioned to them yesterday that the farm school for teachers was not to be held at Ruakura this year. Mr. Nosworthy I said it was a matter between the Edu- j cation Department and the Auckland of Education, and he presumed j the school had been suspended as part. of the economy campaign. A reference ■ to the Education Department confirmed' the statement. The school has been closed on account of the expeneliture it J would involve, but the Minister hopes I it will be possible to resume the course I of instruction next year. I To illustrate the absurdity of State! immigration offices competing with one another for immigrants in England, Mr. Stewart, iI.R, told the House of Representatives in Victoria an interesting tale, based on his actual experience (states | the "Argus"). Mr. Stewart said that, when he was in London some years ago he visited the offices of the Agents-Gen-eral as a prospective immigrant. He first of all called upon the Victorian AgentGeneral, who, after pointing out the ad-1 vantages of settling in that State, was asked if he had any information about New South Wales. The official said he had nothing to do with New South Wales, but he would not advise Mr. Stewart to go there, as 20,000,000 sheep died there in 1902. At the office of the New South Wales Agent-General he was told that it was no use his going to Victoria because the sons of Victorian farmers were going" to New South Wales in search of land. At the Western Australian office he was warned against going to Queensland, where it was said the climate wsb too severe. There should be only one immigration agency under the j control of the Commonwealth, and immigrants should not be subjected to the competition of States. "When I saw what France was doing tor its reconstruction I felt prouder of my country than I did even during the war," declared the Very Rev. Dean Regnault whilst telling" a Christchurch "Press" reporter about his experiences in the war regions during his recent visit to Europe. He described how trenches and shell-holes were filled, and fields were cultivated though they still contained patches holding war's debris; but it was when telling of how the peasantry, yet unable to rebuild their homes, lived in temporary shelters, and sometimes felt it a bit less uncomfortable to sleep in a "dug-out," as it gave more shelter from the rains, that he manifested his pride'in the pluck of the French nation. The havoc of war was evident in the villages and towns when he visited Northern France, but nevertheless nearly all of the factories had been rebuilt, and fully half of them were permanent structures. In town and country people went to work with a will towards reconstruction, not waiting for indemnities—although the French spirit was determinedly for reparation in time. The first thing which the peasantry did after seeing to the cultivation of their fields was to rebuild the schools, and out of the 6.700 which had been destroyed during the war, 5,500 were now rebuilt. Tlie Manawatu country is looking at its best just now, according to a recent visitor, and the crops are showing up well. In the Feilding district wbeat and oat crops are making a fine show, the wheat being clean and healthy and free of any smut. An abundance of hay is being harvested, and the stock is in prime condition. The Feilding freezing works have recommenced operations after the holidays, and on the first day put through over 2000 head of sheep. No cattle are offering at present owing to the slump in prices. Light-fingered gentry were reorted to be responsible for several losses of pocket-books and money at the Stratford races (remarks an exchange). One man lost his P.O. Savings Bank book and about £12 in notes, another lost £6, a third £28, whilst the biggest haul amounted to £50. The thefts were stated to have occurred when the crowd were sheltering from the rain in the grandstand. One of the victims has a suspicion of a woman, who cuddled up closely for shelter. The Railway Department draw attention in the advertising columns of this issue to a special advertisement in connection with train arrangements for the Rotorua races at Claudelaneis. You can imagine what "A Journey on a Runaway Train" would be like. Well, you can experience this thrill without risk of your life at the Strand Theatre this week. Don't miss it.— (Ad) Great Summer Sale starts at the Hub on Monday. Horrock's Al eialico 18/ per doz. Bargains in men's wear and showroom.—The Hub, Queen Street.—(Ad.) There's nothing so good as "No Rubbing" Laundry Help and "Golden Rule" Soap for perfect results and economical use. — (Ad.) Ostend, Buckland's Beach and Riverhead.—Excursions will be run to each of the.above popular resorts to-morrow (Sunday) by Bradney and Binns, from Queen's wharf, at 10 a.m.—(Ad.) Great Summer Sale starts at the Hub on Monday. Horrock's Al calico 18/ per doz. Bargains in men's wear and showroom.—The Hub, Queen Street.—(Ad.) Certainly one of the best programmes the Strand has even shown is on now. Besides "The Nomads of the North," by James Oliver Curwood, there is Larry Semon in "The Hick" and "A Journey on a Runaway Train," a picture you cannot miss.— (Ad.) Great Hub Drapery Sale commences Monday next. The bargain centre of Auckland in drapery and clothing.—The Hub, Queen Street.—(Ad.) ■Millinery Sale. Ladies! We beg to inform you that we are starting our half yearly colossal Millinery Sale on Monday next, and we intend making this the greatest clearing sale we have ever held. All trimmed models, ready-to-wears, untrimmed shapes, flowers," ribbons, straw plaits, buckram shapes, etc., | etc.—all reduced to the uttermost to j quit them.—The Bon Marche. Karanga- j hape Road. —(Ad.) j Roller towelling at 10* d yard, and tea towelling at 1/3* yard are two exceptional January lines offering at Milne and Choyce's on Monday.—(Ad.) Certainly one of the best programmes' the Strand has even shown is on now.' Besides "The Nomads of the North," by; James Oliver Curwood, there is Larry' Semon in "The Hick" and "A Journey, on a Runaway Train," a picture you: cannot miss.— (Ad.) Great Hub Drapery Sale commences Monday next. The bargain centre of Auckland in drapery and clothing.—Th» Hub, Queen 6treet.—(Ad.) I