ITEMS FROM HOME.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20086, 15 November 1930, Page 17

I TEMS FROM HOME.

PERVERTED ALCHEMY. A VALUABLE WEED KILLER. (FROM OCP. OWV CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON,-"October 9. Under the heading of "A Poisoned Poisoner," the "Spectator" paragraphia! speaks of ragwort. "1 know no weed that lias multiplied more steadily in many English parishes," he says, "though it is one of the few which cultivators are theoretically compelled under penalties to eradicate. It is from New Zealand that the icmedy is reported. None could be simpler. The chemical is a no more elaborate mixture than sodium chlorate delivered by a spray. It is

not unlikelv that this may prove one of the most valuable non-poisonous ■weed-killers for the garden as for the farm." Gift to New Zealand Freemasons. It is very interesting to learn (says tlie ''Freemasons' Chronicle") that the New Zealand Board of General Purposes has decided that a presentation should be made by its Grand Lodge to the recently-consecrated LodgeNew Zealand, No. 5175—0f which Bro. the Kev. Walter P. Besley, M.V.0., P.G. Chaplain,' who has a special connexion with New Zealand, is the first Master. The Board will recommend to the next Grand Communication that a set of gavels, according to a design approved by. itself and made from New Zealand woods, shall be presented, aud this gift is certain of a cordial welcome. Perverted Alchemy. A correspondent, writing to •'Truth," says: ' "Here is an odd fact that should give pause to colonial Imperialists. I re-

chived a cheque for £5 last May from New Zealand, and took it to the bank's London branch, expecting it to be cashed over the counter. I was told that the Dominion was too distant for that_; moons must wax and wane before a reply could be received from the Antipodes, and the drawer might die in the meanwhile. Very well, I would wait. And I waited and I waited and I waited—from May to September. Indeed, I had forgotten all about the matter when lo! there came to me a remittance of £4 13a 3d, with an intimation that 6s 9d had been lost on the exchange. Why ? Does the gold of our Empire shed value as it courses overseas? Evidently a colonial pound's not a pound for a'* that. A perverted alchemy has transmuted it to less than ltfs Bd. What wonder if New Zealanders thirst to contemplate the ruins of. St Paul's 1" A Pessimistic Story. Mr John Crompton, 0.8.ifi., addressed the Manchester Textile Insti-

tute last week on the subject of his recent tour of Australia and New Zealand Mr Croinpton, found that, in trade. New Zealand was feeljng something or the world-wide difficulties. Labour in the agricultural districts was dear and scarce. He commented on the fact that few sheep were seen on the -mountain sides, aud he was told that grass was s exhausted and it was too expensive to repasture. Many o'l the farmers' sons preferred ttt go to the towns and earn a regular wage rather than carry on the home farms. Where this happened the farms ultimately become derelict. lie was greotlv by evidences of colonial effort in mc.ustnal manufacture, which were obviously uneconomical and tending to divert energy from the development of land cultivation and its products which could more advantageously be exchanged for manufactured goods from the Mother Country. He thought that conditions of the description indicated might fittingly receive consideration at the Imperial Conference.

Wensleydale Sheep. Bright prgspects for Wensleydale sheep were foreshadowed at the annual supper at Hellifield of the Wen-sleydalo Long Wool Slieenbreeders' Association, who were holding their annuals on »ind sale ot'.rams at Hellifiela. The supper was attended by breeders from 511 tarts of .Yorkshire and Lancashire. The president, Air J. B. Sinalley, Birkbv Hall, Cark-in-Cartmel, appealed for a wider vision and a broader outlook, and for the members to make the qualities of Wensleydale sheep • wider known-. He referred to his recent visit to New Zealand, and mentioned that during the tour one breeder said to him. thev only wanted Wensleydale sheep out there in order to solve the wool problem. Mr J. A. Willis, of Carperby, was of the opinion that if they got the wholehearted assistance of Leeds University, he had little doubt that sheep would be exported in greater numbers in I future. ,

Where the Shoe Pinches. The Oldlaam "Evening Standard" has the tullowmg: "There is a good deal ot tajk just now about Empire economic Here is an instance which nas made at least one man believe in its impossibility. He is in a branch of the clothing trade and he did a good business £th New Zealand. Recently a duty has been put on his goods with the result that lie cannot get them into the country. He has had to put his workpeople on short time for the first time in his experience, and he resents it. He is now clamouring tor a duty to oe put on New Zealand apples and swears that although? he is very fond of them he will never eat another. Heneitber knows nor cares what good the duty on apples would do, but he knowc xpa.'fc he wants it. So are Protectionists made!"