General News

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23401, 7 August 1941, Page 6

General News

Dean Carrington We regret that in the obituary of Dean Carrington notice was omitted that the memorial service to the Dean will take place in Christchurch Cathedral at 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 17. The preacher will be his Grace the Archbishop of New Zealand; also taking part in the service will be the Very Rev. J. A. Julius, who succeeded him as Dean of Christchurch, and the Rev. J. de B. Galwey, for many years associated with him as diocesan secretary and secretary to the Cathedral Chapter. Conscientious Objectors “What is the Government going to do about alternative service for conscientious objectors?” asked Mr F. W. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga), when speaking on the Estimates in the House last night. '‘Many hundreds of these men have appeared before the Armed Forces Appeal Boards. It is obvious that all of them cannot be elevated to the Legislative Council.” The Chairman of Committees (Mr R. McKeen) ordered the withdrawal of this reference, Mr Doidge complying. Continuing, Mr Doidge asked whether conscientious objectors were to be allowed to keep safe jobs and safe skins. One possible answer was that they would be allowed to keep safe jobs and safe skins because, by precedent, they probably would be running the country in the next war.—P.R.

Nurses on Active Service From more than 1200 applications, 192 New Zealand nurses have been sent overseas and 39 are serving in New Zealand camps. These figures are given in the annual report of Miss M. I. Lambie, director of the Division of Nursing of the Health Department, who adds that there were also many New Zealand nurses overseas at the outbreak of war, of whom many have remained and Eire being used for military duties.

Golf Course for Home Guard A request that the Waimakariri River Trust should grant the Home Guard the use of the Harewood Golf Club’s course for training purposes for the duration of the war was received from the area commander, Major D. S. Murchison, at the trust’s meeting yesterday. The club is vacating the lease at the end of next month. The trust decided to defer any arrangements until it came into possession. It was suggested that the Home Guard could be given the use of the course, which totals 142 acres, if a satisfactory rental was received for the house on the property.

Cheese for Britain A reply that the question of the diversion to export to Great Britain of cheese produced for local consumption was now under consideration, was given by the Minister for Marketing (the Hon. J. Gl Barclay) to Mr H, S. S. Kyle '(Opposition, Riccarton), in the House yesterday. The Minister said it was necessary that in the first place a full investigation should be made of the present position, and an investigation was proceeding. When all the facts were available to the Government, a decision would be made as to the procedure to be adopted for the sale of cheese on the local market next season, and a public statement would be made simultaneously. In his urgent question, Mr Kyle said cheese factories in South Canterbury would open in a fortnight, and would want to know if their products were for overseas or the local market. If for the latter, cooling arrangements would have to be made, because cheese was debarred from freezing works if intended for the local market.—P.R.

Allocation of Fertilisers The steps being taken to increase the per acre fertiliser allocation for certain crops were outlined by the Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) in the House yesterday, when answering a complaint by Mr J. A. Roy (Opposition, Clutha) that the present quantities allowed were totally inadequate for practical use in Otago and Southland. “It is not proposed to alter the procedure being carried out in the rationing of supplies of fertiliser for crops, it being considered that this method is the most equitable one for the allocation of available supplies,” Mr Barclay said in reply. “The National Council of Primary Production and leading representatives of farmers’ orgahisations have approved the rationing scheme. Steps are being taken, however, to increase the per acre allocation for certain crops. Swedes and turnips will receive 2 cwt an acre of superphosphate when ridged. Turnips and swedes sown on the flat will receive U cwt of superphosphate an acre, or its equivalent in basic superphosphate. The allowance for mangels will be increased from 2 cwt an acre to 2£ cwt; but the amounts for all other crops will remain as set out in the phosphatic fertiliser control notice.”

Parasite Kills Corse

The discovery of a parasite that had killed all the gorse in the bed of the Waimakariri river, near West Melton on the Waimakariri River Trust’s property, was mentioned by Mr H. Holland at last night’s meeting of the Canterbury Progress League. “This is the best information tfce farming community has had for years,” said Mr I. L. M. Coop. “If the Progress League could produce this parasite and kill all the gorse in New Zealand, it would be the best local body in New Zealand.” Mr W. J. Walter said the parasite would be worth millions of pounds to New Zealand if it was as successful as Mr Holland said it was.

The Silent Minute Appreciative reference to the New Zealand Parliament’s decision to observe a minute’s silence as Big Ben strikes the hour of 9 p.m., has been received by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (the Hon. W. E. Barnard) from Sir Waldron Smithers, a member of the House of Commons, and chairman of the Big Ben Council, and Mr Tudor Pole, founder of the movement in Britain. A cable message has been received from Sir Waldron Smithers and Mr Pole stating: “We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the inspiring lead given by your House on the historic inauguration of the Big Ben silent minute, which is much appreciated <by members of the House. of Commons. Warm greetings from the Big Ben Council.”—P.A. High-priced Beef

The dearest fat heifer sold at the National double market at Addington yesterday was one given toward the butchers’ patriotic appeal by Mr J. E. Thacker (Okain’s Bay), which produced £ 159 10s for the funds. The heifer was put up to auction many times, and bids, which were paid into the fund, were in small lots. The cattle entered in the fat stock show, which were sold at auction, ranged in price from £2O to £2B 17s 6d. *

Stocking Supplies' Hosiery supplies of local manufacture, according to the Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Nash) will be increased shortly, and in the meantime the Government is giving attention to securing a more equitable distribution of supplies. The present production amounts to 3,000,000 per annum. Answering a question whether he would take steps to ensure that the requisite supplies were made available from Australia, Mr Nash said that the shortage of stockings has arisen because of the enlistment of skilled male operators in the armed forces and the sinking by enemy action of additional plant arranged for. Adequate licences had been issued for both the raw material and the plant if it could be secured.—P.R.

Lyttelton Drill Hall “In April last a comprehensive list of matters requiring attention at the Lyttelton Drill Hall was submitted to me, and has already been given effect to,” said the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), in the House yesterday, in answer to a question on the accommodation of vital points guards by Mr T. H. McCombs (Government, Lyttelton). The main proposals, however, involved the provision of dor.mitories and recreation rooms, the Minister said. The estimates of costs involved had just been received from the Public Works Department, and the proposals were receiving consideration. Authority had been given for additional coke heaters to be installed in the men’s living quarters until other improvements were effected.—PJL