General News

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23051, 20 June 1940, Page 6

General News

King’s Message to N.Z. Troops

The original copy of the King’s message to Major-General B. C. Freyberg on the Ist Echelon’s arrival in Egypt has been sent by General Freyberg to New Zealand. It will be placed in the New Zealand National War Museum. His Majesty has granted permission for 15,000 copies to be printed and distributed among members of the New Zealand forces.—Press Association. New Minister’s Portfolios The appointment of Dr, D. G. McMillan (Government, Dunedin West) as Minister for Marine was criticised by Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition, Riccarton) during the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Kyle asked why Dr. McMillan had not been appointed to take charge of the portfolio of health. He'was qualified to take that portfolio, yet he had been given, among others, the portfolio of marine. Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo): Dead marine.—Parliamentary Reporter. Heifer at Large in City An escaped heifer from the Addington saleyards careered wildly about city streets yesterday morning. It first appeared in a garage in Oxford terrace, and later chased two men down Tuam street towards the centre of the city. Two men were knocked off their bicycles and another just managed to avoid the heifer, which soon afterwards put its foot through the ironwork on the side of the Victoria street bridge and broke its foreleg. More infuriated than ever, it then charged a woman wheeling a baby in a perambulator. A passing cyclist threw his machine in the heifer’s way, but the baby was tipped out of the pram and the mother knocked down. Then a man experienced with cattle appeared and soon had the heifer under control. He upended it by catching it by the tail and swinging it over on its side. Then it was securely roped ready to be removed. Minesweepers’ Service A .claim that the service rendered to New Zealand to-day by minesweepers completely justified the money spent on these units of the Navy was made by the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) during the Imprest Supply Bill debate in the House of Representatives last night. “Sometimes the cost may seem excessive, but the job they did to-day justified all the money that has been spent, because they removed a menace to shipping,” Mr Jones said. “We know we have lost one ship, but we might have lost more if we had not had minesweepers. Up to date five minesweepers have been fitted at the naval base, Auckland, and our thanks are due to the men who in all weathers are doinggood work. I feel that the people of New Zealand appreciate it.” The Minister said that in naval matters New Zealand was doing all she could to assist Britain. It was not altogether a question of manpower, but of the right personnel. —From Our Parliamentary Reporter. Canterbury Patriotic Fund “At this time of temporary reverse to the armies of our Allies, we wish to record our complete confidence in the will of our people to fight on until final victory is won, and in the armed strength and vast resources of the British Commonwealth,” stated a motion moved by Mr R. A. Cuthbert at the annual meeting yesterday of the Canterbury Patriotic Fund. “We recognise that this strength is, under the providence of God, dependent before all else on the Royal Navy, and its unchallenged control of the seas; we give our pledge of cheerful and loyal service to the Empire and our own Dominion in the struggle that lies before us.” The motion was unanimously carried. Manufacturers and Soldiers Because they control branches of industry now busy making equipment for soldiers, members of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association are closely connected with the activities of the men at Burnham military camp and have received an invitation to pay a visit there and see for themselves what is being done. The executive of the association at a meeting last evening decided that all available members should go out to the camp, at a date to be arranged with the authorities, and inspect the work being done there. Training Aeroplane Damaged A training aeroplane was badly damaged, but the two occupants were only slightly injured when a forced landing was made about three miles from the Royal New Zealand Air Force training centre at north Taieri yesterday. The occupants were Pilot Officer Suttie and Leading Aircraftsman K. Blair, of Wellington. This is the second crash in the last six days; but only the second in nearly 12,000 hours’ flying at the station.—'Press Association. War and Opawa Library “We axe pleased to again report another snccessful year,” states the fourth annual report of the Opawa Public Library, “in spite of the fact that peace-loving nations have been again compelled to take up arms against Germany, thus bringing about import restrictions, increased taxation, and increased cdst of books. We have not been seriously affected, but can reasonably expect to be so during the coming year.” Enlistment Badges “Apparently,” said the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) last night, “there is some doubt with regard to the procedure to be adopted by men who wish to apply for the enlistment badges which are being issued. Many men are evidently under the impression that it is necessary to apply to me or to army headquarters for badges, or for information, and a large number of applications and communications has been received.” The Minister added that the issue of these badges was being made byy officers in charge of area offices in the different districts, and those wishing to obtain particulars or to apply for a badge should do so to the area office m their district.—Press Association. Harriers Out of Favour Strong objection to harrier clubs dropping paper about the Waimairi County was taken by Mr W. G, Chapman at the meeting of the County Council last evening. Last Saturday, he said, one-club dropped bundles of paper all along the roads in the county, and there had been objections from ratepayers from Northcote road to Styx Mill road. “It is a disgrace, specially in these times when we are supposed to be short of paper,” he said. “There were heaps of it. I think it is time this council woke up and tried to keep the county clean.” Mr W. J. Walter said that the sport kept the boys fit, and anyway, in his district, only a little bit of paper was left here and there. “Perhaps the cows eat it,” suggested Mr H. Kifson. It was decided to write -to the controlling body asking for more circumspection in the use of paper by harriers. National Service Movement . “When I went to Auckland I found the greatest rejoicing because of the step taken,” said Mr C. W. Boswell (Government, Bay of Islands) during the debate in the House of Representatives yesterday, when referring to the National Service Movement. Mr Boswell claimed that the movement had sent out a circular asking for members, and the initiation fee was to have been £5, and the subscription £ 1 a week. How many workers were going to join an organisation like that? “They had a slogan—a new lead and a new leader,” Mr Boswell continued. “That meant the overthrow of the Government.” Mr Boswell said that when the concern developed it was to have at the top a small committee and no one knew what it was to do. He was fully in accord with the action taken.—Parliamentary Reporter. Accountants’ Gifts The council of the New Zealand Society of Accountants decided yesterday to .grant 250 guineas to the National Patriotic Fund Board, to be used at the board’s discretion, and 250 guineas to the Red Cross Society for the Sick and Wounded Fund. It was agreed that the use of the funds of the society for the rehabilitation of soldier members after return from the war would be considered when the need arose. The society decided on a straightout gift of 500 guineas as an alternative to a loan to the Government of £IOOO free of interest.—Press Association.