General News

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23947, 14 May 1943, Page 4

General News

Coal Retailing Essential It was announced yesterday by the Minister of Industrial Manpower (the Hon. A. McLagan) that the retail distribution of coal had been declared an essential industry as from yesterday. The declaration imposed the conditions in the industrial manpower emergency regulations on all concerns employing labour in the retailing of coal.—(P.A.) E.P.S. Executive Officer Four applicants for the position of chief executive officer of the Christchurch Metropolitan E.P.S. will be interviewed by the executive next week. They include a returned soldier who had experience in England during the heavy German air raids. There were about 12 applicants, whose qualifications were studied by the executive at a preliminary meeting. Stabilisation and Salaries The Director of Stabilisation (Mr B. C. Ashwin) yesterday emphasised that the Economic Stabilisation Emergency Regulations do provide for the continuance of annual progressive rises in staff salaries under salary classification schemes, but only if the scheme has been approved for the purpose of the regulations. The task of issuing such approval has been delegated to Mr Justice Tyndall.—(P.A.) Hazardous Atlantic Crossing Some of the trials of the Merchant Navy are described in an airgraph letter received by Mr T. S. Downes, of Islington, from his son, Thomas, “Our Atlantic crossing was the worst I have had.” states Mr Downes in his letter. “We had a three-day battle with a large number of submarines, and managed to rescue many survivors. After a week we ran out of food, and were rationed to two slices of bread per meal. The weather was very rough, and we saw a few torpedoes miss us by feet. Down in the ‘freezer’ one could not move because of the crowd sleeping there. I gave up my cabin to two injured seamen with broken legs.” Wheat Acreage The Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in a statement yesterday emphasised the need for growing as much wheat as possible this year to conserve shipping space. The National Council of Primary Production had rengwed its campaign for the growing of 350,000 acres, and this acreage was even more necessary than when the campaign was first launched, as the carry over from the present harvest was not going to be as great as expected.—(P.A.) N.Z. Wood Borer Recently West Coast householders have been puzzled at the appearance in their homes and furniture of oval holes, about an eighth of an inch in diameter. The damage has been caused by the two-tooth longhorn. The ravages of the insect have been particularly bad on the West Coast, though they are not confined to that district. The insect, which readily attacks heart as well ss sap timber, is reported to have a life cycle from three to five years, and does all its boring in the grub state. Soldier’s Request Among numerous requests concerning post-war activities received from soldiers by the Army Education Service was a letter from the northern part of New Zealand. The soldier was anxious for information concerning the management of a small farm, which, he said, he hoped to take over on being "demolished.” The incident was related by Lieutenant-Colonel D. G. Ball. Director of the Army Education Service, when addressing the New Zea'and Educational Institute in Christchurch yesterday. Farmers Dissatisfied “Right throughout the south the people are dissatisfied. Women and children are in the sheds and on the farms, replacing husbands, sons, and brothers, and they cannot obtain gumboots. The position is scandalous,” said Mr J. Mulcare, secretary-organiser of the West Coast Council of Primary Production, when asked about the council’s overtures to the Minister of Mines and Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb) some time ago for gumboots and tyres. "I have not heard a single syllable, apart from what was uttered when the Minister met the deputation and promised to investigate the position.” Mr Mulcare, who has just returned from a tour of South Westland, referred to the dissatisfaction felt at the meetings he had addressed, when farmers expressed the opinion that the farming community “was not getting a fair spin” in the matter of car and bicycle tyre and gumboot supplies. Extra Shift in Coal Mines Millerlon miners have declined to work the extra shift at the mines pending a change which they want in the management. It is understood that this decision will be reviewed at the w’eek-end. Farmers’ Union of the Future “The Farmers’ Union, as a national organisation, has a grave responsibility toward those who are overseas defending our freehold, our liberty, and our rugged individualism.’’ said the secretary of the Temuka branch of the Fanners’ Union (Mr G. H. Mulligan) at the annual meeting of the branch. “As farmers we should endeavour to progress with a wider outlook and. in future years, the union should grow until it is the community centre for farmers in each district. Each local union should be a clearing house for local policies and local government and a club where farmers can meet socially in pleasant surroundings.” Congratulations From Australia The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) has received from the Australian Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin) a cablegram expressing congratulations on the notable part the gallant New Zealand troops played in the Tunisian victory, adding; “We pray that those successes may result in a speedy and complete victory for the Allied nations over the Axis forces, and pave the way for an enduring peace.”—(P.A.) Information Wanted When quoting examples of curious requests for information that had been made to the Army Education Service, before members of the New Zealand Educational Institute in Christchurch yesterday, the Director of Army Education (Lieutenant-Colonel D. G. Ball), said one soldier had written asking for a course in angeiology. “We eventually found that there was a Bible Institute in Auckland which provided such a course.” he said, “so we were able, after some difficulty, to supply him with his requirements.” Another soldier wanted a course in home brewing. He was advised to apply for a transfer through headquarters to Oamaru. A Maori soldier wanted to take advantage of his university passes. But when inquiries were made no record was found of his university record. On the matter being referred to him again, he replied that he had studied under a European name. Fire In Air-Raid Shelter Noticing smoke coming from the ventilators of an air-raid shelter in Victoria square yesterday afternoon, a man who is in business nearby went over to investigate and found that some person had collected a pile of leaves and paper and had set it alight. With the help of a soldier who also noticed the smoke, he out out the fire. The Right Hand Rule “While I appreciate that the recent decision of the Full Court on the right hand rule clears the air. I emphatically disagree that the position has been improved. On the contrary. I consider that unless the regulation is amended without delay, the effect on road traffic can best be described as suicidal.” This opinion was expressed by Mr E. H. Barnett. Chief Traffic Inspector in Dunedin, who held that the rule should apply only to two vehicles approaching an intersection from different streets. He believed that the new rule would impose an unfair burden on a driver proceeding straight ahead. In the case of vehicles in the same street approach, ing an intersection from opposite directions he would be looking ahead for traffic approaching on his right, and for pedestrians, and at the last moment would be faced with a vehicle cutting across his bows. The time appeared overdue when main road traffic should have the right of way.—CP.A.)