General News

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24096, 4 November 1943, Page 4

General News

Land Mines in Africa “I would not advise, any one to go on a motor tour of North Africa for many years, that is, if it is desired to get off the beaten track,” said the Hon. C. F. Skinner, Minister of Rehabilitation, in an address to the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association last evening. He said there were literally millions of land mines scattered over North Africa, Even where fields had been cleared, the work had not been done thoroughly in all cases, and drifting sand had covered others. Heat could play queer tricks with explosives.

Fanners and Land Sales Act At a recent meeting of the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, criticisms of the union’s actions in connexion with the Servicemens Settlement and Land Sales Act were fully discussed. At the conclusion of the discussion the following resolution was carried unanimously:—“ That the Dominion president’s recommendation as to non-participation by officers of the union in the work of the Land Sales Court or committees,is reiterated by, and has the full support of, the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union.”— (P.A.) Men For Harvesting

Approximately 519 men will be required by farmers in North Canterbury for harvesting and other operations between November and April. This number was given to the North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production, yesterday, when replies to a questionnaire sent out on behalf of the Army were received from 14 district primary production committees. The council decided to give the information to the Army authorities who are arranging to provide labour for the harvest. South Island Ministers

The suggestion that South Island interests might be overlooked by the Government was discounted by the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), w’hen speaking to members of local bodies from all parts of the island, who met in Christchurch yesterday under the chairmanship of the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews). “I would like you to remember that the majority of members of the Cabinet are South Islanders,” said the Minister, “so you need never think that you will be overlooked.”

Seadown Drainage Scheme Acknowledgement of a letter from the Levels County Council advising that the sum of £IOOO had been paid into the Public Account as the settlers’ contribution to the cost of the Seadown drainage scheme was received at a meeting of the council at Timaru yesterday from the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple). The Minister said he regretted that because of a temporary shortage of manpower ,and plant an immediate commencement of this important work was not possible. “As was promised by my predecessor in office, the late Mr H. T. Armstrong, I am arranging for an investigation of the ground water problem by pumping.” wrote the Minister. “As soon as circumstances nermit the works will be resumed and completed.” Praise For R.N.Z.A.F. A tribute to members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force serving in the Pacific was paid recently by BrigadierGeneral Glen C, Jamison in an interview with the “New York Times. Brigadier-General Jamison, who has been serving as chief of staff with the South Pacific Air Force, commenting on New Zealanders’ co-operation with American flyers, said: “These people are real fighters. They never complain. No matter how tough the job is, they do it, then- come home and laugh about it.”—(P.A.) Liverpool Mine Idle

The Liverpool mine was idle yesterday,. following a meeting at the bathhouse. The manager was asked to dismiss a deputy for an alleged breach of regulations, and when the manager refused to do so the men returned home. A miner was dismissed last week, with the approval of the Manpower Officer, for a breach of the coal mining regulations. The union discussed this matter on Sunday, but so far the miner has not been reinstated. Last evening the Liverpool and Strongman State miners decided not to work to-day.

Example of Southern Enterprise Some years ago when the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews) was visiting a large North Island provincial town, he was invited to stay with a former resident of Canterbury. “We drove along a second-class main road for some time.” the Mayor told the conference of South Island local body representatives in Christchurch yesterday, “and then turned up a side road to his farm, which was seven miles from the junction to the road.” The Mayor commented upon the luck of his host in having a good metal road. “Not luck,” was the reply, > “rather hard work and expense.” Th’e Mayor was told that every settler on that seven miles was a former Canterbury man. The settlers had received little encouragement from the local authorities, so they made the road themselves, procuring the metal, crushing it, and spreading it on the road. “That was an example of South Island energy and independence in the North Island,” commented the Mayor. “What a change there is in the North Island to-day, where the people have been fostered by a paternal Government with much South Island money.”

ManpovXr Conference All manpower officers and members of industrial manpower appeal committees will attend a conference in Wellington to-day and to-morrow to consider several proposed amendments to the industrial manpower regulations which, according to a statement by the Hon. A. McLagan, are being consolidated. Manpower problems generally will be discussed.—(P.A.) Opportunity for Scientists

Regret that little was done to retain scientists in New Zealand was expressed at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association last evening by the president (Mr A. M. Hollander). Mr Hollander said it was asking too much to expect a man with a first-class brain to devote 10 years of his life to post-primary education and then to offer him little better than a labourer’s wage. New Zealanders must be prepared to pay him a salary commensurate with his ability or lose his services. Post-War Adventure

"The rebuilding of post-war New Zealand may be summed up as an adventure in understanding, imagination, and common sense, and it is based on solid resources, many of them yet untouched,” said Mr A. M. Hollander, in his presidential address to the annual meeting of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association last evening. Mr Hollander, after mentioning the difficulties to be expected in the early rehabilitation period, said that on the other hand the experience Industry had gained, new needs, new discoveries and techniques, and the potentialities for new endeavour were so great that New Zealand’s future was bright with possibility.

NEW NOVEL NEW ORDER Lord of the Horizon. By Joan Grant. Methven. 291 pp. Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd.

Readers who know Miss Grant’s novels of ancient Egypt, which she reconstructs with remarkably sustained imaginative power, will welcome this new story, particularly those who read “Eyes of Hprus.” It continues the autobiography of the young man Ra-ab Hotep, whose father had brought him up to hate and overthrow the tyranny of the cruel Eleventh Dynasty. Ra-ab and the men of Oryx have had their share in the victory of Roidahn, leader of the revolutionary Eyes of Horus. The new Pharaoh, Amenemhet, with Roidahn and Ra-ab by his side, dispels the evil traditions of Men-het: “Earth in my hand; my eyes to the horizon . . . that is how I found my peace.” The rule of practical wisdom and ideal vision; Miss Grant raises from desert dust a prophecy lor our time.