CLUTHA NEWS ITEMS.

Bruce Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 54, 18 July 1918, Page 3

CLUTHA NEWS ITEMS.

(Fiom Clutha Leader. \ The. f uncial" of" the late Mr Andrew Jlcwitson, which took place at the Balclutha cemetery on Friday afternoon, was largely attended, 'by the general public, the Balclutha 'Brass Band and members of the Oddfellows'' Lodge being present. The band played the '"Dead "March" along the route, and Rev. F. Greenwood conducted the service at the graveside.

A youth named Walter Ross, railway cadet, Balclutha, while playing in the football match 'between 'Balclutha and Romahapg on the Caledonian ground on Saturda.Ahad the misfortune to have his "bollarbone broken, lie was ebllared by one of -the visiting players and fell heavily on his shoulder. Great credit is due to Mr Geo. Clinch, junr., for the prompt and effective manner in which he rendered first aid. 'Sufficient handkerchiefs were not available, for making a bandage, and Mr Clinch immediately used his shirt, for this purpose.

The death occurred at Dunedin on Saturday of LMr Walter 'Edwards, a. well-known personality in this district. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 72nd year, was born in London, and came to Mew Zealand about -40 years ago as a sailor, die took up labouring work in the Tokonvairiro district, and for many years followed the diggings around Quecnstown. He subsequently returned, to the Clutha, and worked at Clydevale, Waitapeka, Waiwera and other places. Later ho went to Gore, 'but returned to 'Balclutha in April, 1017, having resided here since. After a short illness he was taken to the Dunedin Hospital on Thursday, and passed away two days afterwards. The match played on the Caledonian ground on Saturday between Balclutha and Romahapa resulted in an easy win for the home team by Ifl points to three. The-visitors were kept well within their own half of the field for the greater part of the game, although they at times 'broke away and looked like scoring. The score at halftime stood at six points to three in,'Balclutha's favour.

Mr Hughes, Australia's representative at the Imperial Conference, is not having it all nis own way during his present visit to England, and several of the leading newspapers derided the Commonwealth Premier's references to protection made in a speech delivered in (London recently. The Star, in a leader headed, "A. Nuisance," states: "Such a plain speaker should not object to our saying that he has lbecome rather a nuisance,, and that his arguments in favour of the adoption of protection are silly, and beneath a little child's contempt. 'lt should be clear even to the Australian bush that a 'British tariff would check the supply of raw materials. The prediction of a Tierce economic struggle after the, war, and - tho remark, 'Keep your rifle strapped to the plough-handle,' is villainous stuff." The Daily News comments: "We -must bear with .this windbag, but his poison-gas will be effectively dealt ■with." Press comment,.however, is not all vituperation, as witness the remarks of the Evening Standard: '"Mr 'Hughes correctly points out that if it is difficult to frame a fiscal policy now, it will be doubly difficult after the war. Party considerations are the only real impediments to prompt action. We hope IMr Hughes will stick like a leech to his point no longer to give the Germans the trade opportunities which they treacherously abused before the war." The Globe also says that 'Mr Hughes' speech provides- "the essence of national policy."

"A Scotsman fights best when he is hungry, the Englishman on a full stomach, and the Irishman when he is drunk."—'The [Mayor at the Gore Town Hall last week.

ijt is officially announced that the Board of Trade has authorised the sale of bread in the city and suburbs of Wellington .at prices not exceeding the following: For cash, over the counter, od per '2lb loaf nott, 'lod per 41b nett; for private delivery, 54d and lid respectively, and the same for delivery to hotels, restaurants and shipping, less 24 per cent, discount.

Several times recently New Zealand people who have spent awhile.in-iAus'-.tralia have gone back, to their own country and told the people!there :tlmt. over here we have forgotten 'existence of tho war ■ (states" tho- • Sydney- -Sunday Times). We hesitate to believe that the opinions, of these people arc typical of the general New Zealand, view; but they are opinions that are given publicity'both there and here,-and to that extent they count. One of'the last to talk that way was a leading business man of Wellington. He said that over in Sydiicy one could scarcely realise that there was a war at all. 'He had spent a few days in Sydney, stayed at the best hotel, no doubt, enjoyed the hospitality of the city, and generally had a.good time among the moving throng of Übiquitous and usually merry people, who, like himself, helped to make up the "big floating population that Sydney always carries. And, after eating our 6alt,'aud doubtless a good deal of our sugar, he went home and maligned us. 'lf he had torn himself away from the delights of the clubs, the theatres, and the lounges of the big hotels and spent a day or two with the workers of some patriotic depot or some centre for sol.diers' wives and mothers, or had talked with a few of the thousands of bereaved families who have given sons and fathers to tho cause, he might have realised that here we do know that there is a war on. Tt is a pity that that man and some of the others were not here on Australia 'Day, or Belgian ©ay, or Allies Day, or France's Day. On any of those days the army of collectors, the multitude of cheerful givers, -and the 'battalions of perspiring moneycounters might have~offen>d at least a hint that here we are to some extont %liyz to the fact that there is a war.