General News

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26528, 17 September 1951, Page 6

General News

American View of New Zealand

“As we see New Zealand to-day it is pretty much of a Garden of Eden on earth,” said Dr. G. G. Van Deusen, professor of American history at the University of Rochester, New York, in an interview in Christchurch yesterday. “But that is not saying that it will continue to be so,” he added. A world depression would play havoc in New Zealand, he said, for the country was definitely very susceptible to overseas trends. “At present,” he said, “you seem to be a remarkably prosperous people with few—at least at present—major social and economic problems.” Good Runs of Whitebait

Increased quantities of whitebait are being netted in the Buller river, and the runs are better than those experienced at this stage of the season last year. Several catches of 15 pints or more, were reported during the week. Occasional full kerosene tin catches were made from the best positions on the river banks. Prices have ranged from 6s to 7s a pint. In some cases visitors to Westport have paid 10s willingly.—(F.O.O.R.)

Lord Bledisloe’s Congratulations The All Black Rugby captain, P. Johnstone, has received a letter from Viscount Bledisloe, a former GovernorGeneral of New Zealand, congratulating the team on Its recent successes in Australia. “Allow me to congratulate you and your most successful All Black team on your splendid victories in your matches against Australia,” wrote Lord Bledisloe on September 5. “As your old Governor-General and as the donor of the inter-Dominion trophy, the good news (which came to me a month ago through a lady correspondent living in Auckland) caused me immense delight.”—(P.A.) Theft of £640 in Notes The theft of £640 m banknotes has been reported to the Dunedin police by a resident of Palmerston. The theft occurred between Friday night and Saturday morning. The complainant, an elderly man living at Palmerston with an aged relative, had been in the habit of putting his savings in a container which he hid in an outhouse. The door of the building was padlocked as usual on Friday evening, but on Saturday the door was open, and the padlock and the container of money were missing. The banknotes were in various denominations, and the owner had kept a list of the serial numbers of the larger notes. However he hag lost the list of numbers, and it is thought possible that it was stolen with the money.—(P.A.) Papal Encyclical The Pope in an encyclical letter to Bishops to-day urged that all Roman Catholics should give more than the usual fervour to the customary October devotions to the Virgin Mary. He particularly recommended the recitation oi the Rosary, saying: “We desire that this prayer shou.d be uttered this year with greater fervour of soul, as is demanded by the aggravation of the state of the world.” The Pope added: “The fraternal union of nations, so long sundered, has not yet been everywhere restored. Instead, we see all around us souls distorted by hate and rivalry, while above the people hangs the menace of new conflicts. —Vatican City, September 15. Waimate Tulips

An area of 14 acres and a half has been planted in tulips on Mr Alan Grant’s property, "Craigburn,” near Waimate. The area is larger than that previously planted, and is near the road, from which sightseers can obtain an excellent view before the blooms are picked and marketed. The blossom time is expected to be a little later this season because of frosts.—(F.O.O.R.) Higher Air Fares

Fares on many air routes throughout the world will be increased on October 16. However, fares between New Zealand and Australia and New Zealand and Fiji will remain unchanged. Most air travellers from New Zealand will be affected only by an increase in the through fare from New Zealand to London on both the eastern and western routes. The new fares will be £285 single and £513 return. The present fares are £279 single and £502 return. Passengers already holding tickets for flights on or after October 16 will travel at the old fares. Airlines say the increased fares are a result of rises in the cost of labour and materials. The free baggage allowance for return-ticket holders travelling from New Zealand to London will be increased from 661 b to 881 b on October 16. Previously, only round-the-world passengers were allowed the greater weight.—(PA.) Clubrooms for Airmen

The trustees of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Prize Moneys Fund, estimated at between £40,000 and £60,000, have entrusted the Air Force Association with the spending of a substantial proportion of the fund for providing clubrooms and other amenities. This was announced by the association’s Dominion president (Mr H. A. Davy, of Wellington) at the annual reunion of the Manawatu branch. “This means the association now has something more than members and an ideal—it has money,” said Mr Davy. “It is ohr intention to establish centres where the spirit of the R.N.Z.A.F. can be kept alive.”—(P.A.) Labelling of Woollen Goods

At present, when the cost of wool might make some buyers turn to other fibres, it seemed all the more imperative for a wool-producing country like New Zealand to pay attention to the high quality and reputation of its finished product. This view was expressed at a meeting of the Dominion executive of the National Council of Women at Lower Hutt. The executive urged that the Wool Labelling Act be amended to give “the needed protection to consumers.” It advocated the use of the labels “virgin,” "reprocessed,” or “reused” on woollen goods coming under any one of these classifications. Members of the executive said they considered that delay i» dealing with wool labelling might have a serious effect on New Zealand’s economy. Unless consumers received just value for their money when buying woollen goods, they would be driven to buy alternatives.—(P.A.) , Thefts from Airliners The security officers of three large air transport companies—B.O.A.C., K.L.M. and Air France—have just completed investigations into a series of important robberies from their airliners. The robberies included a box of gold bars valued at £25,000 at Saigon. a parcel of diamonds worth £12,000 at Bangkok, a satchel of diamonds valued at £BOOO at Jakarta, and numerous registered articles at Calcutta and Cairo. Security regulations have been tightened and one company has asked a famous British safe company to design a special light strongroom for airliners.—London, September 16.

Ground for Divorce The Dominion executive of the National Council of Women, at a recent meeting at Lower Hutt, adopted a remit that cruelty alone should be a sufficient ground for divorce. The remit said that the Minister of Justice (Mr T. C. Webb) should be asked to alter the divorce law to make this possible, and that, failing the Minister's agreement, a deputation should meet him and “place the facts before film." —(P.A.) ’

Award to N.Z. Rugby Placer When awards won in the “Sunday Herald” competition to find the best and fairest Rugby Union player of the 1951 season were presented, the New Zealander Rani Jacob, who is a veterinary student at Sydney University, received the Fairfax Cup and a personal trophy con~isting of an engraved silver tea service. Jacob said he was honoured to have been selected by the judges, but added: “The award Was really won by teamwork. .You can plav only as well as the man inside and the man outside will let you. This is really a team trophy.”—Sydney, September 1(J. "Blossom Week” in Hastings “Blossom Week.” celebrated at Hastings. had its climax on Saturday, when a procession of 60 decorated floats was staged in the town. Thousands of snectators travelled lone distances to watch. Tn one float alone nearly 70.000 artificial blossoms were used. In conjunction with “Blossom Week." a campaign to raise £2500 for a children’s orthopaedic clinic was conducted. The full sum was raised, £7OO of it at a mock court.—(P.A.)