General News

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23891, 9 March 1943, Page 4

General News

Infantile Paralysis A case of suspected infantile paralysis reported in Christchurch on Saturday has been pronounced positive. The victim is a child three years old. One suspected case at Timaru is receiving attention. United Nations Fair The Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall) has been asked if he will open the United Nations patriotic fair at Christchurch this month. E.P.S. Administration The administrative machinery of the Christchurch Metropolitan E.P.S. will be discussed at a meeting of the central committee this week. The chairman (Mr E. H. Andrews) said yesterday that he expected a suitable arrangement would be made. The alternatives so far under consideration are the appointment of an organising committee to replace that which resigned last year or the appointment of a paid organiser. Review of Appeal Boards In view of the changed manpower position, will the Government review the Armed Forces Appeal Board system, to eliminate unnecessary authorities- and save endless expense? asked Mr J. A. Lee (Democratic Labour, Grey Lynn), for the Hon. W. E. Barnard (Democratic Labour, Napier), when the House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. Mr Lee added that there were two boards in Hawkc's Bay. of which the No. 1 board did most of the work, and the chairman and members received 30s a day each for each day worked. The chairman of the No. 2 board received £9OO a year, and the two members £450 each, while the solicitor received £SOO. Mr Lee suggested that only one board was required now and that 30s a day for the personnel was reasonable, except for the chairman, who should receive extra, payment, in view of his extra responsibility.— (P.A.) A Meeting With Mr Eden A chance meeting with Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Eden) was described to members of the Christchurch Businessmen's Club yesterday by Dr. W. Gordon Rich, who went abroad with the 2nd Echelon. "Didn't you have enough in the last war?" said the Foreign Secretary as he shook Dr. Rich's hand. "A very pleasant fellow," was Dr. Rich's description of Mr Eden. "He shook hands, said a few words, and then 'pushed on'," he remarked. , Better Taxi Service Whether the Minister of Transport (the Hon. J. O'Brien) would ensure an adequate taxi service for the travelling public by increased licences, increased petrol supplies, or the establishment of a State taxi service, was asked by Dr. D. G. McMillan (Labour, Dunedin West), in notice of a question in the House of Representatives yesterday. Dr. McMillan referred especially to the northern cities, and said that 80 per cent, of those travelling by boat and train in Auckland and Wellington were unable to obtain a taxi service.—(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Facilities for Manufacturers The use of the library of the Department of Industries and Commerce and the department's research facilities have been placed at the disposal of manufacturers. The Minister (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), in a letter to the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association, has pointed out that the department has much information which would be of value to members of the association. Freehold Right for Soldiers She could not understand the attitude of the Government in not granting the right of freehold to returning men placed on the land, said Mrs A. N. Grigg (National, Mid-Canterbury) last night, in the House of Representatives during the Address-in-Reply debate. Mrs Grigg pointed out that the Government helped other returning soldiers to become set up in business and to become independent, but those wanting to become farmers were apparently expected to work on farms and not become owners.—(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) New Zealand Division Praised The fighting qualities of the 2nd New Zealand Division at the battle of Sidi Rezegh during the second Libyan campaign are praised in an article on the Western Desert battles published in the Christmas edition of the "Norwich Union Magazine." "It was here that the New Zealanders showed what they are made of," wrote the correspondent, ;j member of an English artillery regiment, who took part in the battle. "I think they are the best colonial troops we have and they are absolutely superb," he adds. "One moonlight bayonet charge of theirs to take a ridge I shall remember to my dying day. The New Zealanders, too, are exceptionally friendly and will give you anything they have." Price of Woolpacks A suggestion that the stabilisation policy should apply to woolpacks was made by Mr W. J. Broadfoot (National, Waitomo), in notice of a question in the House of Representatives yesterday. He asked whether the Minister was aware that woolpacks purchased last year for this season's clip had to be paid for at this season's increased price <ls or more) and whether the Minister would take steps to see that this "unfair" increase was not imposed, in view of the Government's declared stabilisation policy.—(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) E.P.S. Control Questions of the control of the Christchurch Metropolitan E.P.S. will be discussed at a meeting of City Council and Suburban Local Bodies' Association representatives next week. The meeting has been arranged because of the request by the Suburban Local Bodies' Association at the end of last year for a greater shar.e in the control of the organisation. Dairy Farmers' Incomes The position of dairy farmers supplying milk to cities in the South Island was raised by Mr W. A. Bodkin (National, Central Otago), in notice of a question to the Prime Minister <the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Bodkin asked Mr Fraser to inform the House if the Government intended to see justice accorded to the dairy farmers mentioned, and if the Government proposed that these "unfortunate" people would continue to have their incomes pegged at depression levels.— (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Awards for Sumner Scouts In response to a request of Cr. P. C. Fenwick. Scout Commissioner, the Mayor of Sumner (Mr J. E. Tait) invested three scouts, W. Bagley, R. Rogers, and G. Murdoch, with'badges bearing the inscription, "S.B.C. Scout Warden." In making the investiture Mr Tait said that the Sumner Borough Council had approved of the badge awards, with a view to fostering among the boys a higher spirit and a better understanding of the duties of citizenship. They were scouts as wardens and were expected to set an example and not to enforce any authority. It was the first time anything of this nature had been done, said Mr Tait. and he hoped that perhaps it might prove successful enough for others to adopt the same principle.