General News

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24801, 15 February 1946, Page 4

General News

Discharge of Sugar Cargo “The position is unchanged,” said ! Mr H. Barnes, president of the Aucki land Waterside Workers’ Union, when asked if workers assigned to unload a sugar cargo at Chelsea from the Do'minion Park would work overtime. For the iast month the men have refused to work from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Chelsea because no rationed meats were included in the evening meal. In view of the large amount of sugar for Chelsea it is probable that the loss of three hours’ work a night will mean a delay of practically a week in the completion of discharge.—(P.A.) Youth Hostels The activities of the Youth Hostels’ Association of New Zealand in Canterbury in recent months are outlined in the association’s first newsletter. The association, it says, exists to provide cheap and clean overnight accommodation for parties on tramping and cycling trips. Hostels have been established at Akaroa, Homebush, and | ether parts of Canterbury, and at Jackson’s, Moana, and Hokitika on the West Coast. Arrangements are being made with the Hundalee Scenic Board for members of the association to have the use of huts and cottages at Goose Bay and Omihi. “In gradually expanding our movement on a national basis, and in co-operating with associations already established overseas lie great possibilities for the future,” the newsletter adds. Ships for New Zealand Trade No time is being wasted by British shipping companies serving New Zealand in beginning to replace their war losses, according to Mr T. F. Tallents, chairman and managing director of the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Federal Steam Navigation Company, London, in an interview before his departure from Auckland for Sydney. The two companies have building or on order nine ships. One of the vessels, a passenger and cargo ship to replace the Rangitane, will be laid down at Vickers Armstrongs’ yards in December for delivery early in 1948. The remaining eight are all refrigerated cargo ships.— (P.A.) Accumulation of Coal With South Island requirements temporarily satisfied by heavy consignments from West Coast coal mines in the last few weeks, when there was little shipping activity at the two main ports, Greymouth and Westport, as much coal as possible is being assembled for dispatch to the North Island to relieve the serious shortage there. Only small consignments overland are being ' made this week, though there are no vessels in port at Greymouth. The coal is being stored in bins and waggons for loading on to colliers expected this week and early next week. About 325 hoppers, containing almost 3000 tons of coal, are under load on the Greymouth wharf, while there is a considerable quantity stored in the Wallsend and Liverpool mine bins and smaller amounts at other mines. Jour colliers are expected to lift this cargo, the Gabriella; Kaimai, Rata and Storm. The Storm has not visited Greymouth for some

years. Suggested Fire Precaution A recommendation to the Government that in circumstances such as those which now prevail, a State emergency should be declared, and that any person negligently starting a fire or failing to notify the existence of a fire should be liable to a penalty, and that no person should be permitted to light a fire without a permit was agreed to by the* Hawke’s Bay provincial executive of Federated Farmers. Members expressed grave concern at the present fire menace.— (PA.) Greymouth Bar Depth In the course of his monthly report to the Greymouth Harbour Board the harbourmaster (Captain H. Moar) said that the depths on the Grey river bar during January had varied between 21 and 25 feet at high water. The weather for the major portion of the month was mild, with light rain and heavy seas causing shoaling on the bar. During the latter portion heavy rain and flood conditions prevailed, scouring the bar to the excellent depth of

25 feet at high water. Unfortunately, these conditions also shoaled the berthages and lower reaches of the river. Dredging had been carried opt when weather permitted, and 10.350 tons, of shingle had been lifted and taken out to sea. The recent shoaling was being dealt with as expeditiously as possible,, according to weather ’and other circumstances. Prayers for Starving Europe Archbishop O’Shea has requested that Roman Catholic school children of the diocese of Wellington should unite in prayer that speedy relief may be given to the starving and homeless children of Europe, and the undernourished children of Britain. According to information received by the Archbishop, in one country alone— Hungary—’two out of every five children under three years of age have died of starvation since the end of the war in Europe. It is computed that millions face the same fate as they wander homeless over the continent. The Archbishop has also requested the children of the diocese to contribute to a fund, the proceeds of which will be sent to bring relief to their starving brothers and sisters in Europe, irrespective of creed or nationality.— (P.A.) Board for Students

In an effort to find accommodation for all students intending to attend Canterbury University College this year the Students’ Association has inaugurated an appeal to all householders and boarding establishments willing to provide for students, and asked them to advise the association. An executive officer said yesterday that the association was equally anxious to learn of all students who had not arranged board, with particulars of their habits and interests, so that they could be directed to homes where they could settle down most congenially. Students’ hostels were fully booked this year, but it was hoped that householders would respond to the students’ appeal again this year. Last year nearly 200 students were nlaced in lodgings through householders co-op-erating with the Students’ Association.

Military Defaulters The following letter has been sent from the New Zealand general meeting of the Society of Friends to members of the Cabinet: “The standing committee of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in New Zealand urges upon the Government the early termination of the indeterminate sentence at present imposed on military defaulters. Many of the men still in detention and in prison have felt unable to appeal to the recently appointed authorities, their decision being based on deep conscientious grounds. The imposition of indeterminate sentences is a grave matter in any circumstances; that it should operate in relation to military defaulters, including conscientious objectors, is subversive of common justice. As a committee, we approach you in the confident assurance of your will to secure justice and toleration as the basic principles of our democracy.”—(P.A.) Dobson Mine Dispute As the result of a dispute among the truckers at the Dobson mine yesterday morning, more than half of them returned home? Because of this, miners had no way of getting their coal out, and the majority of employees did not work, though a number remained at their places. The dispute, which it is stated was not concerned with the management, will result in a loss of production of about 250 tons of coal. Students in Shorts

Permission for a welcome reform to dress among male students at the Christchurch Teachers’ Training College during the summer months has been granted by the principal (Mr Duncan Mackay). Until the end of March they may wear open-neck shirts, shorts, and socks of plain colours. There are few students who have not taken advantage of the concession during the hot weather of their first week at Training College in the new term: No special provisions have been made for women students, but, a member of the staff said that convention allowed them to be coolly clad already. The concession applies only to those taking lectures at the college, and not to student teachers when they have periods of experience in city and suburban schools. Since many of the men have had military service khaki is a popular colour for shirts and shorts.