General News

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21685, 20 January 1936, Page 10

General News

* Many Australian Visitors The Wellington manager for Thomas Cook and Son said that the present season was rather a remarkable one, because of the large number of Australians who were spending their holidays in the Dominion. A curious sidelight on the situation was that a large proportion of the visitors came from the most distant state. Western Australia. People from that state were invariably delighted with their experiences and the ‘scenery of New Zealand, which nresented such a complete contrast with their own country. However, 5000 miles—from Perth and back—was a long holiday journey. Congress of Chambers of Commerce The first Congress of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire to be held in New Zealand will take place at Wellington during the first week of next October. Many overseas delegates are expected to attend. The congress will be in session for a week, and visiting delegates will then be taken on a tour of both the North and South Islands. Complimentary railway travel has been offered by the Government for the delegates and their wives. The tour of New Zealand is to be so arranged as to permit delegates from overseas to reach their homes in time for Christmas. This will be the fourteenth congress held. Aerodrome at Wellington The Wellington City Council six weeks ago “tentatively approved” of the plan for the development of Rongotai aerodrome to entitle the landing field to B grade classification, that is, suitable for all types of aircraft. Notice has now been given of the council’s intention to introduce during the coming session of Parliament the Wellington City Reclamation and Empowering Bill. The purpose of this measure is to obtain authority to reclaim 26 acres of the sea bed at Lyall Bay, make certain important reading alterations, and also to borrow “by special order” for the filling in and the reclamation of the lahd. South Westland Springs Valuable curative properties were claimed for the waters of Toaroha springs in South Westland by a deputation which waited on the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) on Saturday at Kokatahi, and asked him to authorise a grant for improved access. It was said that the springs had proved most beneficial to those suffering from rheumatism, which was common on the West Coast. Residents of the district had done all they could to develop the

possibilities of the springs, and had used their own money to provide facilities there. The Minister was requested to help development by authorising a grant for a track. Mr Semple gave an assurance that his department would find the money. Night in Sheep Pens A story of two young women and two bulls, which .has lately echoed through the greater part of Banks Peninsula, has considerably embarrassed two guests at a farmhouse in one of the peninsula bays. It is said that the two girls had decided to walk into Akaroa, a distance of about 10 miles, to attend a dance. They particularly wished to walk, and they enjoyed the journey until a motor-cycle with a noisy exhaust travelled down the road and wakened most of the cattle in the neighbouring paddocks. Before the young women knew where they were the dark, massive figures of two bulls loomed out of the night and they decided at once that the animals had taken a dislike to them. Practically on the horns of a dilemma they clambered into some sheep pens which a considerate farmer had built nearby, and there

they crouched in some safety while the bulls snorted, bent their heads, and pawed the ground a few yards away. How many hours the two young women spent in the pens is not known, but it is certain that they were not seen at the dance that evening. Pacifism in Australia “There is a distinct movement toward pacifism among several of the younger ministers in Australia, several of whom are returned soldiers and chaplains,” the Rev. Dr. John Mackenzie told a representative of “The Press” in an interview. “The Victorian Presbyterian Assembly,” he said, “has more than once condemned war as contrary to the mind of Christ, but it has not committed itself, and without definite legislation cannot commit itself, to a policy of absolute pacifism.” He thought that the present situation in Europe was a sufficient indication that if one could organise the moral and pacific forces of the world, war would be unnecessary. The Presbyterian Church in Australia stands solidly behind the League of Nations,” said Dr. Mackenzie. “In spite of its failures and limitations, the league represents the only aggregation of the moral forces of the world—apart from the direct resort to force—and is aiming at a common law expressive of justice and co-operation.” Harbour at Okarito Government co-operation in constructing a harbour at Okarito, South Westland, should it not be possible to complete the undertaking by private enterprise, was sought by a deputation which waited on the Hon. R. Semple (Minister for Public Works), when he visited the town yesterday. It was said that 200,000,000 feet of timber was available for cutting in the country near Okarito, but lack of access had prevented development. A private company was now engaged in constructing a harbour at a cost of £20,000, but if it were found unable

to complete the project, Government assistance would be sought. The Minister said it was the aim of the Government to develop the country s resources, and indicated that the request would receive favourable consideration. Greetings From Herr Hitler The reply to a radio message to Herr Hitler conveying New Year greetings, is a valued document hung in a frame in the saloon of the North German Lloyd steamer Wiegand, which arrived at Auckland from New Orleans The radio was sent by the captain for the ship’s company. “Dear Captain,—The Leader and Chancellor has requested me to convey many thanks to you and the crew of your ship for the friendly New Year’s greetings which you have sent him,” reads the reply, which was signed by a Secretary of State. “He returns them to you and the crew in the heartiest manner, and wishes you and your ship a happy voyage for the New Year.—Heil Hitler!” The Wiegand flies the new German national flag from her stern, a black swastika in a white circle, on a red ground. Of the four pictures m her saloon, two are photographs of Hindenburg and Hitler, and the others views of Bremen, her port of registration. Civic Pride Developed “The Melbourne centenary was a decided landmark in the history of Victoria,” the Rev. Dr. John Mackenzie, of Melbourne, told a representative of “The Press” in an interview at Geraldine. “The people developed a greater self-consciousness as a state, and a very much greater civic pride.” The generosity of Sir Macpherson Robertson, who, in addition to/ giving the prizes for the air race, had given £40,000 to erect a girls’ high school, and £20,000 for a new bridge over the Yarra had been paralleled by other gifts, which, though not so large, had represented as great a sacrifice. Melbourne had developed in a wonderful degree, and there was a desire by the citizens to improve the amenities of their city. They planned to reconstruct certain inner suburban areas, several great hospitals had been built trees planted, and parks developed, and a great boulevard was being constructed for miles along the banks of the Yarra. Beautifying Auckland The formation of a beautifying society in Auckland to improve the approaches to the city, and secure the planting of more' semi-tropicai trees in the parks and reserves, has been advocated by a well-known business man. “With the expenditure of a little more taste than money, Auckland could be made a really beautiful city,” he said. “We should grow more tropical and semi-tropical trees in our parks and reserves. Sydney has palms and jaqarandas, which would flourish here, but they are seen only in private gardens, and our public parks, streets, and reserves are filled with deciduous rubbish such as poplars, elms, and beeches. The furthest the Auckland City Council gets is to plant pohutukawas, which flower for only a short time each year.”