NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 54, 28 November 1923, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY

Sensationalism is a feature of the Sydney Daily Mail and. it may be taken for granted that the story of an N™ South Wales by hardened criminals released from New Zealand gaols by an unduly sympathetic Prisons Board, has little, if any, trut *J be ' hind it. It is possible that criminals released from our gaols have found their way to Australia just as we here have unwelcome visitors of a similar nature from the Commonwealth. But the assertion that New Zealand has been making New South Wales a dumping ground for its outcasts may be taken as indicative of a class' of imaginative journalism with which Sydney has in recent times become affected.

A RECENT cabled statement that the dairy industry, in Australia and New Zealand might suffer a tremendous blow if. Bntaani deeded to prohibit the importation of butter containing boric acid evidently waf based on a complete misapprehension of the facts so far as this country is concerned. Wo publish to-day some observations by the Director of the Dairy Division (Mr. Singleton), which show that numerous factories in all parts of the Dominion are already dispensing with the use of boric acid in the manufacture of butter. Presumably no difficulty need arise in making this practice general. The elimination of unnecessary preservatives is one way of maintaining the standards that ensure a good sale for our produce on oversea markets. • i '

Local companies and firms, as well as lawn tennis enthusiasts, should be interested to note the example set by the Bank of New .Zealand in connection with the big scheme for providing the city with what will probably be the finest tennis grounds in the southern hemisphere Under the plans prepared by the Wellington Tennis Association special provision is made for companies and firms taking up playing rights for their employees on the proposed courts at Miramar. Every £lOO subscription entitles the employer to nominate four of his stiff as playing members Tor a term of 20 years. Membership is transferable from time to time, as the employer may desire, to meet changes on the staff. It is a scheme which should appeal to employers desirous of making recognition of service on the part of employees or those seeking to establish good feeling between employer and staff In the case of the Bank of New Zealand the general manager has informed the Lawn Tennis Association that the bank proposes to set aside a sum of £5OO for the purpose, which will entitle it to nominate 20 of its officers with the rights of playing members. There can be no doubt that the younger generation of the bank’s staff will greatly appreciate this evidence on the part of the bank authorities of interest in their recreation out of banking hours, and the bank is not likely to find the expenditure an unprofitable investment. It may be expected that other employers in a position to do so will follow this excellent example.

Important possibilities attach to a “thrift week ' movement lately inaugurated in Victoria, following to some extent the lines of the annual Health Week successfully instituted hero and in other parts of the Dominion. Lists of speakers appointed to address both juvenile and adult audiences on various aspects of thrift show that the movement is enlisting the active support of highly qualified men and women. Reports of the early proceedings of the Victorian thrift Week indicate that the question is being dealt with from a thoroughly practical and enlightened standpoint. Any . idea of advocating miserly saving is expressly repudiated, and war is waged on false economy as well as on foolish spending. The “first commandment of Thrift Week is “Learn more and earn more.’.’ People are urged to give serious attention to bettering their position in life, to acquiring their own homes, and generally to making wise instead of heedless use of the resources at their disposal. Thrift is discussed also in its national aspect, but the ruling aim evidently is to disseminate as widely as possible advice of practical value and utility to the individual or family. The movement is one that might very well be taken up in this country—particularly with a view to inducing young people to make the most of their early opportunities cf getting comfo.rth»bjy establish**! in life.