General News

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23811, 3 December 1942, Page 4

General News

Committee Missing;

Candidates for the Air Force who were notified to appear before an Air Force Selection Committee at Westport at 8.30 p.m. on Friday, November 27, could not find the committee when they arrived at the appointed place. It was stated that the committee which arrived in Westport at 8.30 a.m., had left at midday for Greymouth without interviewing prospective trainees. Blacksmiths Essential

A decision to ask that blacksmithing be declared an essential industry was made by the North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production at its meeting yesterday. Members stated that blacksmiths were scarce and were needed in country districts.

Potato Plantings

A total of 5686 acres of potatoes has been planted in North Canterbury this year, according to reports from the district primary production committees. which were received at a meeting of the North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production yesterday This total is 300 acres more than that planted in the 1940-41 season. The council’s allocation for this season was 8000 acres.

Wharfage Charge on Trotters

A request by the Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association for a revision of the wharfage charges on trotting horses and sulkies going to the North Island and returning in a short time was considered by the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday. It was explained that the charge for a horse was 2s and for a sulky 2s, payable both inward and outward. On the other hand the wharfage was 4s one way on a car, and trotting horses from the North Island returning within a month incurred wharfage only one way. The board agreed that the charge might be amended, but did not consider it was worth the expense of an alteration ol the by-laws. It was decided to defer the matter till the by-laws are next revised and then give it favourable consideration. Education in the Army

The problem of establishing an education service for men in the Army was raised in tho House of Representatives yesterday afternoon by Mr J A. Lee (Democratic Labour, Grey Lynn), in an urgent question on behalf of the Speaker (the Hon. W. £.. Barnard). Mr Leo said there were many 18-year-old soldiers now in camp and there was much anxiety by parents as to the future of these young recruits after the war. In reply, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) said that a scheme had been prepared by Lieutenant-Colonel D. G. Ball, Director of Army Education after consultation with the Ministers of Eduaction and Defence, and the Director of Education. Some details of the scheme had not yet been completed, but there would probably be an opportunity during the next few days to outline what had been done.—(P.A.)

Macaroni for War Prisoners

“Do they know we’ve got a macaroni factory and are growing wheat for it 9 ” asked Mr R. McPherson at a meeting of the North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production yesterday, when a letter was received from the Minister of National Service (the Hon. A, McLagan) regarding the use of prisoners of war as farm workers. The Minister stated that the whole question of prisoner of war labour was being thoroughly investigated, and the councils representations would be borne in mind.

Soldiers’ Christmas

Under the new Army leave conditions with furlough every two months, it is expected that a large number of South Island soldiers will be on leave at Christmas. To provide special fare for the men spending Christmas in camps, an additional shilling for each man' has been added to the ordinary rationing allowance for Christmas Day. An officer pointed out yesterday that Christmas would be pleasanter tor soldiers this year than it had been last year, when Japan’s entry into the war had meant an extra effort by all men then in the armed forces. N.I.M.U. Discusses Petrol Ration

A deputation from the North Island Motor Union which will interview the Commissioner of Transport is to discuss the petrol ration, and if it is found that the stocks of petrol in New Zealand warrant it, the Government is to bd asked to allow motorists to buy petrol to the amounts represented by the full face value of one of their coupons in both January and February. This was decided at a meeting of the council ol the union yesterday at which the petrol ration was discussed, partly in committee.— (P.A.)

Military Display

A display of modern military equipment will be taken to southern centres this month by the Army. Demonstrations will be given at Timaru on December 10, Oamaru on December 12. Dunedin on December 14, and Invercargill on December 16, Tanks, beaverettes, Bren carriers, 25-pounders, and armoured scout cars will be included in the mechanised portion of the display. Criticism of Army

“I don’t think we should criticise the Army, that is not our job,” said Mr I. L. M. Coop at a meeting of the Canterbury Progress League last evening when criticism of the Army’s use of manpower was expressed, “New Zealand has the finest army in the world and for civilians to tell the Army how, when, and where it should train its men is all wrong,” he added. “I think the Government has overcallcd the men who are available for the Army in New Zealand, but I don’t think we should criticise the Army. We should see that the Government does not call up more men than the Army requires, and that sufficient men are left in New Zealand to produce the foodstuffs the Army needs. The Army doesn’t know anything about producing foodstuffs and never will. All it is interested in is training men to fight the Germans and the Japanese.” Heavy Rail Bookings

The double-unit rail-car which will travel from Greymouth to Christchurch to-morrow evening was yesterday booked out, although a certain amount of standing room was still available. It is not intended to run a steam service on that evening, additional passengers being accommodated by adding cars to the perishable goods train.