General News

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24369, 22 September 1944, Page 4

General News

Current Ration Coupons

The current meat ration coupons, No. 46, will be available until to-mor-row. Coupons No. 47 expire on September 30, and a new set of coupons, No. 48, will be available from September 25 to October 7. Tea coupons 45 to 48 for a total ration of Boz, and sugar coupons 45 to 48* for a total of 31b. will be available until September 30. Butter coupons, A 47 and A4B, for a total ration of 11b, are available until September 30. Coupon XlO3 for one pair of fully-fashioned silk or art silk stockings is valid for six months.' Wallsend Mine Idle Till Monday

Wallsend State miners decided at a stop work meeting yesterday morning not to work until Monday. The mine was idle two days last week and again on Monday of this week, but resumed on Tuesday. Yesterday a fault developed in the operation of the cage in the main shaft while some of the men were being taken down the mine, and as a result all the men returned home. All the idle days mentioned have been the result of the alleged defective operation of the shafts, either main or emergency. The superintendent of State mines (Mr C. J. Strongman) said yesterday that the cage at present in use in the main shaft at Wallsend will be replaced on Saturday with a spare cage in the course of the usual routine, by whjch machinery is given periodical overhaul.

“Man and His , World” in England

The vicar of Cambridge, Canon C. W. Chandler, received a cabled reply from the publishers of Dr. Mainwaring’s “Man and His World” yesterday in reply to his if any controversy was raging in England, and also whether the book was being used extensively in schools. The reply to Canon Chandler said: “ ‘Man and His World’ selling well here. Have no knowledge any controversy England or elsewhere.—George Phillip.”— (P.A.)

Wellington Tramway Dispute Settled After- discussions extending over three days between representatives of the Tramways Committee of the Wellington City Council and members of the Tramways Union, the seven matters in dispute in the framing of a new award were referred, back to the assessors of the respective bodies for further consideration. It w ( as announced by the Mayor (Mr W'. Appleton) yesterday that in a spirit of give and take a settlement on all points had now been arranged. The terms were approved by the City Council at a special meeting yesterday afternoon.—(P.A.)

Book Drive In a recent book drive for Middle East Forces, two city schools organised such a thorough canvass of their districts that the children collected more than 500 books in eachr One boy collected 100 books.

Food tor Belgium

The Belgian Consul-General announces the receipt of a cablegram from the Belgian Press Agency. London, saying that the Brussels newspaper “Nation Beige” announces that 60 lorries .have reached Brussels from Cherbourg with 200 tons of American flour, and that huge quantities of food are being unloaded on the Normandy coast. The Under-Secretary of Food Supplies has informed the press that rations of butter, margarine, sugar, potatoes, and meat would be increased. The Belgian press also publishes warm tributes to Mr Churchill.—(P.A.)

New Telephone Directory

Because of pressure of work, the Government Printing Office in Wellington has been unable to complete the printing of the new telephone directories fer Christchurch, and the books will not be available for distribution for another fortnight. The new directory is the first to be issued since April. 1942.

Loss of Hearing

The hope that the time would come when people who had lost sorhe of their hearing would be able to get something back from their social seedrity payments was expressed by Mr John Montgomery, president of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand. League for the Hard of Hearing, when speaking at the annual meeting last evening. Mr Montgomery said that the branch was now set up with an audiometer and hearing aids, and it had official status. Its tests were accepted by the Government to enable those who had lost some of their hearing through war service to obtain some hearing aid. The branch had official status, but members were not recognised as being due for any social, security payments because of their disability. If other people were going to receive help, those who had lost some of their hearing should get something back from their payments. 'Vessels for Fiji

Five 60ft kauri vessels for the Fijian Government arg being built at the United Ship and Boatbuilders’ yards in Auckland. The vessels will be used for work in the islands.—(P.A.) Censorship Question

In a notice of a question in the House of Representatives yesterday Mr M.'H. Oram (Opposition, Manawatu) asked the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) if his attention had been drawn to a resolution in connexion .with censorship unanimously adopted by the conference of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association, and if he would take immediate steps to see that the regulations were amended along the lines of the code agreed upon by the Government and newspapers of Australia. If not, would the Prime Minister indicate the reasons why these principles could not be followed.— (F.0.P.R.)

. Tinned Fruit Distribution

Grocers in Christchurch will begin the distribution of tinned fruit on Monday on the basis of one tin to every two ration books. Both peaches and pears will be available. The secretary of the' Canterbury Master Grocers’ Association (Mr John Jackson) said yesterday that for every four tins of pears issued to grocers there was only one tin of peaches. As peaches usually proved more popular with the public, it would be difficult to make an equitable distribution. The proportion would probably be three tins of peats to one of peaches. Mr Jackson said he wished to appeal to customers to co-operate with their grocers and not make the task of distribution difficult.

Expiring Appointments

The appointments of three members of the Legislative Council, the Hons. D. Wilson (Wellington), J. K. Archer (Christchurch), and J. E. Duncan (Auckland), will expire to-day.— (F.0.P.R.).