General News

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23746, 18 September 1942, Page 4

General News

Fixing of Milk Prices In reply to the Christchurch City Council's representations for an early decision on the fixing of prices of milk to dairy farmers the Hon. W. J. Poison, Minister of Primary Production for War Purposes, has sent the following telegram to the Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast) :—“Have received your council's telegram regarding the price of milk, which I have handed to the Minister of Supply for the decision of the Price Tribunal. You will receive a reply from him as soon as the tribunal has dealt with the matter.” Increased Wheat Production The increase in wheat production since the war started is shown by a graph prepared and kept at the Wheat Committee rooms. The average annual production for the Dominion for 1940, 1941, and 1942 is shown as 8,338,651 bushels. The comparison is shown in the following figures giving decade, average yield a year, and bushel average yield an acre:—lß7l-80 4,077,740 bushels a vear, 26.13 bushels an acre; 1881-90 8.059,292, 25.05; 18911900 7,295,991, 24.43; 1901-10 7,045,170, 31.37; 1911-20 6,270,170, 28.02; 1921-30 7,363,520, 31.67; 1931-40 7,583.148, 31.03. Needs of the Army In an appeal b<*"ore the Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday an appellant said that the business of retreading tyres had been declared essential. "Wo have heard a lot about this essentiality in business,” said Mr G. T. Thurston, a member of the board. “It is a term that is very often abused.” At a later stage Mr D. W. Russell, appearing for Motorways, Ltd., said that possibly the Army did not know what retreading was doing for the Army. "You would not suggest that the Army does not know its needs in the matter of retreading tyres?” said Mr J. S. Barnett. “Yes, I do,” replied Mr Russell. “Not only in the retreading of tyres but in a lot of other needs.” North Island Railway Traffic After the announcement of the drastic curtailments in railway services consequent on the Waikato coal miners’ strike, there was an early rush to the Wellington railway station by intending travellers, who were obliged to obtain permits and rebock accommodation. An hour after the permit office had opened at 9 a.m., people who had been there from the beginning were still waiting their turn, and a fairly long queue had been formed in the vestibule. The pressure on the officials dealing with the issue of permits continued all day, and there was still a queue in the afternoon. It is stated that the restricted rail services will inevitably cause delay in the postal services, and that mails will be sent by whatever trains are running. Drapers Discuss Rationing That it was generally considered by drapers that the rationing scheme had to a very great extent functioned satisfactorily was stated yesterday by officers of the New Zealand Drapers’ Federation's council at the conclusion of the council’s first day of discussion in Christchurch. It was also stated that firms bad not yet experienced a need for a shortening of staffs because of rationing. The rationing scheme was the chief topic of discussion by the council yesterday, and recommendations from the meeting (which is in committee) will be placed before the Dominion Rationing Controller (Mr J. E. Thomas) at the earliest opportunity. The meeting was attended by 32 members of the council from various parts of the Dominion, the president (Mr B. L. Blodorn) presiding. Labe Forsyth to be Let Out A decision to let out Lake Forsyth was made by the Wairewa County Council at its monthly meeting. Mr F. Coop said that at the last meeting it had been left to Crs. J. O. Coop, G. W. Thompson, and himself to let out the lake. The expected rains in August had not materialised, and therefore the jevel of the lake was not raised, and it was gradually receding. The grazing land round the lake was covered with water, and though the job would cost about £2OO, because of the" wide shingle bank at the outlet, he thought the lake should be let out. Cr. W. H. Montgomery said he considered the council should not let the lake out unless the main highway was affected. French in Schools The withdrawal of French from the curriculum of secondary schools is advocated by th. Southland High Schools’ Board in a resolution passed yesterday for submission to the Education Department and the University Senate. It was suggested that even if a complete' withdrawal of the subject was nqt possible, it should ,be made compulsory only for students taking up a profession in which French would be of some use. It was argued that thp existing system f teaching French in New Zealand schools did not equip students either to speak or write the language, and failure to pass in it prevented many otherwise able students from taking university courses in various trades and professions.— (P.A.) Damage to Crops Cr. G. W. Thompson drew the attention of the Wairewa .County Council, this week, to the large number of small birds, mostly sparrows, which were having a detrimental effect on spring sowings of crops in the district. It was decided to procure supplies of poisoned wheat' for distribution among ratepayers. Talkies in Military Camps The cinematograph projector and sound equipment purchased recently by the Provincial Patriotic Council has already been put to good service. Pictures have been shown in eight camps in all parts of Canterbury where there is no other provision for the screening of films, and altogether 12 showings have been given. An official of the council said yesterday that the equipment had proved very popular in the camps and obviously helped to fill a want. Wherever it had been taken there had been requests for return visits. The council had been fortunate in obtaining films from the Canadian and Australian Trade Commissioners, and other films were being made available by courtesy of the High Commissioner for Great Britain (Sir Harry Batterbee). Labour in Mines The latest ballot is likely to have a serious effect on the supply of labour available in the mining industry. Since the beginning of the war the number of men employed in gold and coal mining on the West Coast at first rose and then started to fall, especially in gold mining. Statistics for the West Coast for the two industries are given as follows:—Gold: 1938, 1146 men; 191., 1334 men; 1940, 1355 men; 1941. 1091 men. Coal: 1938, 2071 men; 1939. 2247 men; 1940, 2401 men; 1941, 2303 men. A Hard Job “It's a hard job, one only for a strong, man. Men have had a look at the job and have preferred something nearer the city.” said an appellant at the Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday. He explained that the reservist, a lime worker, was 18 years old. “What?" said Mr J. S. Barnett. “Do you mean to tell me that a lad of 18 years is essential to the country in doing a job that is hard for a man?” “Yes,” replied the appellant, who explained that his boy of 16 years was also engaged in quarry work. “They'll be working a good deal younger. I have a lot of time for the Army. I served in it from 1910 to 1918. Soon there will be only old crocks like myself left to do the work.” Japanese Jungle Boot The surprising ease with which the Japanese hive forced their way through jungle considered impenetrable has been a feature of the campaigns in Malaya and New Guinea, and adaptation of equipment to suit special conditions is believed to have been one Of the secrets of their success. Displayed in a Wellington shop window is a boot such as is worn by Japanese soldiers in jungle warfare. It is made of soft, pliable rubber, dark green in colour, with a thick sole deeply indented to give a good grip. The chief feature of the boot is a special division like ■ finger of a glove designed for the big toe. This would facilitate tree-climbing or walking on slippery ground.