NEWS OF THE DAY.
Refreshing Candour,
"I did not expect that answer," remarked Mr. Justice Frazer in the Arbitration Court at Wellington, to a man whose reply to a certain question was hardily calculated to help his case. His Honor commented that it was refreshing tc find a witness who was perfectly frank.
Cricketers for England. Auckland's cricket captain, C. F. W. Allcott, was given an enthusiastic send-off at the railway station last evening when he left for Wellington to join the New Zealand team, which is to leave by the Kangitata for England on Saturday afternoon. r I he other Auckland members of the team, ■J. E. Mills, G. L. Weir, H. G. Vivian and A. M. Matheson, will leave for the south this evening. Passed as Pilots. lour pupils of the Auckland Aero Club, Messrs. C. J. Paine, J. C. Bull, A. McGruer and (r. Fisher, gained their "A" pilot's license at the Mangerd aerodrome yesterday. For two years in succession the club lias passed its full quota of 20 pupus, which entitles it to the Government subsidy. Actually the number of pupils trained is greater than 20 per year, as several are outside the age limit of from 18 to 35 Tears. Too Much Jazzing? "Where are the young people to carry on the Labour fight after we veterans have gone?" asked Mr. J. Roberts, secretary of the Alliance of Labour, at a meeting in Christchurcli. A voice: "They are in the Communist party." Mr. Roberts said he wished there were more young people' interested in the Labour cause. The young people were jazzing every night. "Let them jazz," lie said, but can they Jazz on two davs' work per week for 18/2" " 1 Birkenhead Wants New Post Office. The Birkenhead Borough Council last evening unanimously resolved to request the Post and lelegraph Department to erect a new post office in a central position on the site at Highbury Corner. -Mr. W. H. Payne said the land acquired some time ago for the purpose was 99ft by 200 ft, and approximately the minimum number of telephones had been installed to warrant the establishment of an automatic telephone exchange at Birkenhead. " Fully Loaded. A motor cycle and side-car arrived at a picnic at Waihora Park, Canterbury, on Sunday last loaded with lo young men and women. As the cycle and its load circled the picnic ground it gave a curious impression of a waving mass of arms legs. Then another motor cycle drew alongside, one of the fifteen grabbed it, and the rider allowed the first motor cycle to give him a tow round the track.
Growing of Native Plants. '1 he Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, has taken a very keen interest in New Zealand flowers and plants, as has been shown by his remarks on many occasions and his visits to native bush areas. He has spoken of the real possibilities of improving private gardens by a judicious selection of native shrubs and flowers, and he has now given a practical start to the movement he suggested by presenting for competition a handsome shield. Competitions will be held twice yearly, the judging being entrusted to Dr. L. Cockayne and Mr. J. G. MacKenzie, director of parks and reserves in Wellington. The first awards will be made in November, and eleven entries have been received. The conditions are very wide, simply that the gardens must be embellished by native plants and flowers. Legacy of the 'Quake. A woman who lives at Whakaki, Hawke's Bay, writes most interestingly to a friend in Auckland. "I do not think many minds were in good working order during the first few days after the earthquake," she says. "Even now many people arc still unnerved. I was in Wairoa yesterday, and in two shops I had to help to reckon out the change. . . . Those who are returning to take up life again at Napier are very courageous. Conditions there are much worse than any pictures show, and I was really glad to leave. But what a kindly, helpful spirit is abroad there! At the railway station, the post office, and other big offices, the utmost consideration is shown. The road from Napier to Wairoa is very dangerous in parts, but it was the most comfortable ride I have yet had on that road, owing to the careful driving of the car." Summer Vacation. A suggestion that the summer vacation of the Auckland Grammar Schools should commence a week nearer to Christmas was made to the Grammar School Board yesterday by the principal® of the five schools. It was also suggested that the schools should reopen a week later in February. Professor A. P. W. Thomas, chairman, said the change could not be made without the support of the university authorities. AVhen a quarter of the school sat for the matriculation test it was impossible to settle down to the ordinary routine of work for a, fortnight that examination ended. Professor H. W. Segar. who is a member of the University Senate, said: "Send down the recommendations of the principals to the Senate." His suggestion was accepted, and it was decided to send them also to the Education Department. " Cheer-up " Week. The proposals of the "Cheer L'p Week 1 ' Committee were approved by the City Council at a special meeting yesterday. A request for recognition and for assistance with the decoration and illumination of Queen Street had been referred to the finance committee, which reported that the application had been agreed to, and recommended that the matter be left in the hands of the Mayor and town clerk. The report was adopted without comment. The Auckland Manufacturers' Association decided yesterday to support the movement, and to appoint a representative to the joint committee. The main objective of "Cheerup" Week was explained by the committee as being to dispel gloom and pessimism at present prevailing, and to create a more cheerful and optimistic atmosphere. It is hoped that the campaign will absorb a number of those at present unemployed, in theatres and elsewhere. '
Cleaning in Schools. Comment was made at last evening's meeting of the Primary School Committees' Association concerning the action of some teachers in asking children to carry out dusting, cleaning out of cupboards and fireplaces, etc., during play and lunch intervals and after echool hours. Strong disapproval was expressed of certain tasks that country children were asked to perform. "Of course, such duties as dusting their own desks or cleaning the blackboard might well be termed training in civic {luty, and no one would object to them except in unusual circumstances," eaid the president, Mr. S. E. Chappell. "We should be prepared, however, to strengthen the hands of any committee objecting to breaches of the regulations, and also to point out to teachers that the duties they asked children to perform are not compulsory." Benefits of Economy. The full effects of the contraction of the farmers' purchasing power are unlikely to be felt throughout the country before the coming winter, states a bulletin prepared by the Canterbury University College School of Economics. The bulletin adds that a recovery cannot be expected before next summer, and then business can expand only if prices exceed, costs by a fair margin. Drastic economy is urgently needed both in public administration and in private enterprise, because of the severe contraction in the national income. It will entail some hardship, but it can no longer be avoided or deferred. It should lead, however, to—lower cocts of production, with consequently wider markets, higher production and fuller employment. It might mean lower incomes, but it need mean no permanent lowering of the standards of life. It should, indeed, raise those standards, for economy, reduced to its simplest terms, means the transfer of economic resources, whether human or material, from essential to more essential purposes.
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Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 6
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1,304NEWS OF THE DAY. Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 6
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