General News

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24370, 23 September 1944, Page 6

General News

* Island Bananas Arrive

A small shipment of Island bananas has arrived in Christchurch, and is being distributed by the Internal Marketing Division. It is expected that the bananas will be on sale early next week at the fixed price of 7d a pound. About 8000 cases of Fijian, Tongan, and Samoan bananas for the whole of New Zealand arrived at Auckland recently. The Christchurch allotment is about one-tenth of these.

Mails for Prisoners in Japanese H?nds The Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. C. Webb) yesterday reminded persons wishing to communicate with prisoners of war and civilian internees in Japanese hands of the limitation of 25 words placed on communications for such addressees. The Minister said that 'this limitation applied to communications sent by means of the lightweight air lettercard, as well as to those sent by surface meansi—(P.A.)

Power Off in Fendalton

Electric power was off in the Fendalton district between 10.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. yesterday, a short circuit in the Public Works Department’s feeder causing several line breaks in Clarence street, Straven road, and Idris road. The short circuit was caused by a duck flying into the electric power lines in Idris road.

"Scratching” for Coal

Lack of production at the Wallsend State mine • and slow deliveries from other mines are reported to be responsible for colliers at Greymouth “scratching” for coal. The Poolta has arrived to load 1600 tons of coal for the North Island and the Gabriella 800 tons for Wellington, and a proportion of each cargo would normally be derived from Wallsend. Instead, certain quantities are required to be supplied from other mines.

Awarua By-election

Polling day for the Awarua byelection has been fixed for Saturday, October 28. Nominations of candidates will close on October 11, and the supplementary roll will close on September 29.—( P.A.) »

Victory Loan Campaign

It is the opinion of the Wanganui Victory Loan Committee that Parliament should adjourn now until the close of the loan campaign. The committee passed a resolution to that effect, and has received advice that the matter is being taken up by the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Mr W. F. L. Ward, who is to see the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash). In the opinion of members of the committee the contentious measures discussed in Parliament and broadcast are injurious to the loan campaign. Mr E. A. Millward said he would like to see Parliament close down and the members work for the loan in their respective districts.

Primary School Accommodation

“That recognising the great part environment plays to-day in furthering the fullest development of character, and in relieving the tension and stress in the lives of cur children and so enabling them to make better adjustments to their day to day living; we press for much more adequate space in our classrooms, for a greater variety in types of furniture and for better and more convenient facilities in our toilet accommodation.” The above motion was moved by Miss K. Turner at last evening’s meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. The motion was carried unanimously. Several members spoke on the small amount of space for each pupil in many city schools, and the difficulty of carrying out an adequate modern education under existing conditions. Schedule for Pigmeats

“In order that producers may be encouraged to hold pigs to obtain additional weight, and in view of the special circumstances now operating, it has been decided that the present schedule for pigrneats shall continue until further notice,” the Minister of Agriqulture (the Hon. B. Roberts) announced yesterday. “The position will be reviewed towards the end of Octo-. ber.”—(P.A.) Whitebait Catches

Up to the present whitebait catches have been poor at Greymouth, but if fine weather continues, reasonable supplies should be available over the week-end. The season will probably be one of the poorest for many years. Whitebait was being sold at Greymouth yesterday in minor quantities at 5s a pint.

Realisation Board

The Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) yesterday issued a correction to a statement he issued on Thursday night concerning Brigadier H. E. Avery’s appointment. Brigadier Avery has been appointed general manager of the War Assets Realisation Board, not chairman. The position of chairman is held by the Hon. W. Nash.—(P.A.) Good Progress with Estimates

The House of Representatives made good progress on the estimates yesterday, passing six classes, and adjourning at’ 5 p.m. Votes for departments administered by the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) and the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) were passed. The House was in a good mood and there were no incidents. —(F.0.P.R.)

Teaching of Arithmetic

“My attention has been drawn to various newspaper reports of remarks supposedly made by a Canterbury inspector about the teaching of arithmetic in primary schools, and, unfortunately, in no case was there a full report given of the discussion which took place at a meeting of this board.” said the senior inspector (Mr S. J. Irwin) at a meeting of the Canterbury Education Board yesterday. “Therefore 1 should like to make three points in connexion with the matter quite clear,” Mr Irwin added. “It was not stated that there was no need for children to bother with arithmetic. Second, the full explanation gave quite a different picture from the one seen by various people who were not present; and third, an explanation of the position has been given on several occasions. It was stated among other things that there was now less time for the teaching of arithmetic, consequently much that was practically non-essential had been deleted. It certainly was said that most people used only sufficient arithmetic to enable them to carry on their daily buying and selling, but it was not said that this was the only arithmetic that children needed to be taught.” An inquiry at any school would make it clear that the range of arithmetic attempted was much more ambitious, especially for the children whose mental make-up fitted them for wider studies and more concentrated effort, Mr Irwin concluded.