NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 116, 18 May 1932, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

'Sacrifice."

They were talking about equality of sacrifice at the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union conference yeeterday. Some of the farmers said that they had sacrificed everything. They Had little to call their own. Mr. S. N. Ziraan considered that if sacrifices were to be demanded they should he made by every section of the community. "The sacrifice idea has got as iai as the House," he added. "One honourable member is said to have stated that in this time ot stress we should all contribute 'to the common weal. We should all sacrifice. For his part, he was prepared to sacrifice his principles. P. and T. Association.

The P. and T. Employees' Association, -whose privileges in Government Departmental circles have been withdrawn, was given official recognition about 20 years ago, and now claims a membership of 7000. Objection has been taken In official circles to the growth of a political atmosphere in a body formed for the purpose -of adiustin"- anomalies which must naturally ause in 'the operation of a heavily-staffed service. ln«, it is contended, lias been accentuated by• of the association's magazine, the "Iva-tipo, run by the paid staff of ex-Departmental officers, m which article* of a political character are considered by the heads of Departments to be sudversive of discipline and moral. Successful Nurses. Two prizes are given every year by the Auckland Hospital Board for the two nureea at the top of the list in the annual examinations. This year the first prize went to Nwm E- £• Wilson, and the second to Nurse E. Hollie. At yesterday's meeting of the board the members passed a resolution congratulating the prizewinners. The examiners expressed the opinion that Hie examinations showed that many of the candidates had not a standard of general education sufficiently high to enable 'thorn to take lull advantage of the theoretical part of 'their training. The chairman, Mr. William Wallace said the board required nurses to have a Standard \ I. education. He thought it would be unwise to set a too hard and fast standard of education; if the board did, 'there would be a clanger ot making nursing a class profession. Hoßioital Salaries.

Correspondence lias passed between tlie Direc-tor-General of Health and the Auckland Hospital Board regarding the latest wago cut. Ano Director-General said the board would be expected to follow the lead of the Government, which had made another cut in Civil Service salaries. Ihe board yesterday adopted the recommendation of the finance committee, to the effect that no reductions be made in salaries and wages under *-— J a year and that consideration of those above that amount be deferred until the hospital boards conference met on June 9. It was stated that the cut in old-age pensions would mean a loss of £700 to the board in connection with old-age pensioners in the Auckland Infirmary. The chairman Mr. William Wallace, said some old-age pensioners, since the cut, had been compelled to apply to the board for relief, as they could not live on the smaller amount they were drawing.

Rabbit Pest Again. The rabbit pest in country districts, which had more or lees died out in the post-war years with the high price ruling for rabbit skins and the consequent activity in trapping, hae again become an acute problem in many parts of New Zealand. There has been .a great fall in prices, and consequent cessation of commercial trapping. Rabbits are over-running the districts round Kinpaka, immediately to the north of Whangarei, and the settlers in the affected district* have formed a committee to formulate a plan ot cooperation anions the fanners for the destruction of rabbits within a wide area. The settlers will act in conjunction with the Stock Department Before the war the problem was largely solved by the inclusion of rabbit carcases in the Sew Zealand frozen meat export to Britain. Ihe war killed this branch of export, and the high price of skins operated against a revival of the carcase trade. A general effort in the Dominion to revive the export of frozen rabbit carcases inigit again solve the problem of the local pest.

"A Seat for a Lady." A woman carrying a baby got into an Onehunga-bouml tram late yesterday afternoon. The car was crowded, and the woman remained standing near the door. Half a dozen men in the compartment had not noticed her, and continued to read their newspapers. The conductor of the tram was evidently a family man, for as soon as he saw that the woman was not likely to be offered a seat he took action. -'Would any gentleman like to give his seat to a lady with a baby? he sail" out. Immediately every man in the compartment, including one well on in years got to his feet It was obvious that the men had not deliberately remained seated. By remaining near the door, the woman had prevented hereelf from bcilT* seen. It is seldom indeed that a womiui with" a babv entering a crowded tramcar is not offered a seat, but if she has no baby she may have that experience. Sometimes male «**«««■ in the smoking compartment sit tight, but that is usually when there are vacant scats in the non-emoking compartment. Some men have been heard to complain that women to whom they have given their seats have eat down without savin"- a word, but in nine cases out of ten the woman given someone dec's seat acknowledges the courtesy with a word of thanks. Valuation Assessors. The appointment of local assessors is being undertaken just now by several municipalities. This duty is imposed under the Valuation ot Land Amendment Act, 1027. The procedure is regarded by many as unnecessarily cumbersome and rather Gilbertian. The clerk of the local authority first gives public notice ot the intention of the local authority to appoint an assessor. Nominations are 'then made on a prescribed form signed by two ratepayers and the candidate. 1 Inlatter is to be a duly qualified person. If more than one nomination is received, a public meetin" is convened by the clerk, who presides and takes the votes of the ratepayers preeent. li a dletrlot lms more than f>oo ratepayers, the clerk has to provide a ballot box. After the taking of the vote, the voting id declared closed, and the result of the election announced at the nieetino- If two candidates receive an equal number "of votes, the matter is settled by lot. The result is notified to the local body, Winch thereupon appoints the elected person. It M contended that a deal of trouble would be obviated, and also some expense saved, if the local body was empowered to appoint an assessor outright.

Hospital "Sweeps." In order to raise funds for the hospitals of New Zealand, Mr. John Kowe moved at yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Hospital Boaid In the direction of getting the Government to establish and legalise sweeps similar to those, 1 operation in Ireland; such sweeps to be run and controlled only by the State. He pollited out tint over £3,000,000 had been rawed in Ireland, and said he believed that £200,000 could eajrty be raised ill New Zealand. Mr. W. K. Howitt eugSted that the matter be sent to the hospital .boards' conference, as the Government was haidly likely to give weight to a representation from only one board. Dr. E. B. Qunson said the pre«ent system of hospital finance was quite sound, and he di" not think those in authority would be quite competent to handle a big eum such as nii-ht be raised by Mr. Bowe'e proposal. Mr. M T "Savage condemned the sweep idea as unsound The Rev. W. C. Wood said he thought there" was very little harm in it. There was the danger of disturbing the present system of finance, "but perhaps money raised by a sweep could be earmarked. He thought the suggestion should L considered. -Mr.E. H. Totter said he board should act independently, and ask the Government for permission to hold a sweep Finally the matter was referred to the hospital boards' conference.