LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 125, 29 May 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

, Speaking' at the Farmers' Union Conference in regard to the fixing of prices for produce, tho Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald) made reference to a remark uttered by a farmer .it- Inverrargill. The statement, he said, had born made there that "every member of the Government had his price in connection with the sale of produce."' (Cries of "Shame I") "I am going to Inverca.rg.ill next week," said Mr. MacDonald, "and I am prepared to toll that man, before the biggest audience he can get, that he is an L-I-A-R!" (Applause). Mr. Mac Donald added/that he did not mind'criticism, but he would always resent any attack on his honour.

Tho Wellington Diocesan Synod will be opened in tho Sydney-street Schoolroom on Ist July.

. Last Friday morning a sadlor on the Manuka named William Green, belonging to Wellington, ,was taken ashore to the quariptino station at Sydney, as he had a high temperature.

"Wo should receive our share of tho indemnities," remarked one momber of tho Wellington Acclimatisation Society last ■evening, when it-was'announced ". that Germans who had been in residence on Somos Island for some years past had poisoned some pheasants which were placed on the island for breeding purposes.

A' small boy, David William M'Cabe, aged two years and * eleven months, whose father/'-Mr. Michael H. M'Cabe, lives at 12, Jacobs-place, lost his life yesterday afternoon through drowning. It appears that the little cha-p fell through a back fence into a pond, and his mother found him floating in the water at 4.30 p.m. Dr Smythe examined the body and pronounced life extinct. An inquest will bo held,

Good progress is being made in the provision of additional accommodation at the Motuihi Island quarantine station. At present 80 workmen are engaged on the job. It is proposed to erect ten buildings, apart from a convalescent ward and an observation ward. There aro good sup-plies of. water on the island,' but boring is being carried out to secure further supplies, in order to provide for all possible contingencies.

A speaker at the annual meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society last evening-, in referring to tho trapping of opossums, said that with the new traps about one out of a - hundred animals caught 'were found to have broken, legs. In his opinion a report should be obtained by the society regarding opossums in the country round Paraparaumu. It could then be decided whether the season should be opened now or the opening put off for another.year. It was little uso opening the season, and killing all the. opossums off in! brie year.

An Oriental figurine was exhibited, and described by Mr. Elsdon Best at the last meeting of the Wellington Philo--sophical Society. The figurine was found recently near Auckland, in circumstances which pointed to its having been in the ground a great nuhiber of years; probably having been buried before the European occupation. Mr. Best referred also to the Tamil bell, found in1 use ■by the Maoris in the Bay' of Plenty, as a, cooking vessel, this being another indication that early voyagers other than those known have reached theso shores.

Many questions in regard to prices of goods in New Zealand were levelled at the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, ActingM;nister in Charge of the Board of Trade, at the Wellington Provincial Farmers' Union Conference yesterday. "The reaj question," he said, "is are onr local prices to be governed by the famine prices in other countries ? Are we going to turn down our own markets', and send away our products, for the purpose of securing higher prices!" Those were matters, he added, that must be considered and settled. •-.""

Reference to a suggestion now receiving general acceptance, namely, that the importance of New Zealand is overshadowed frequently by the combination of the Dominion and Australia under tho name- of "Australasia," was made by the Minister of Lands (Hon. D, H. Guthrie) at the 'W&llington Fanners Union Conference. Mr. Guthrie said it was possible that there might- be more in the suggestion than at first-appeared, and added that no harm could be done by always keeping the two countries distinct undor their own names.

Referring to the absence of big fish from rivers in the district at last night's annual of the Wellington" Acclimatisation Society, Mr. A. J. Rutherford stated that this fact might be accounted for by the action of. the shags. These birds had so worried the trout that'the big fish were being driven down tho river into the deeper waters. The society, he said, should take drastic action against the shags.* The birds must be driven from their breeding-places. "I feel," said the speaker, "that at the present time we arc stocking the rivers for the benefit of the shags."

The qualities of Somes Island as a breeding place for pheasants .were dealt witli -by many speakers at the annual meeting pi the Acclimatisation Society last evening »Ifc was mentioned that v wheii a start was made with 'breeding on the island some time ago considerable success attended the venture, but when the Germans, were placed on the island* the birds were interfered with, and' they subsequently died. "It is certain,". said one speaker, "that Somes' Island is an almost ideal place for pheasant breeding. Why, then, should we pay the Auckland Society £1 per head for the birds during'the season? We should approach theGoverrjineut and get permission to use the island as a breeding place."

Wholesale trade generally is still quiet, as retailers will not lay. in any stocks while they consider prices .likely to recede, preferring simply to buy from hand to mouth, reports the Mercantile Gazette, referring to Wellington. As the process of getting prices back to as near a. normal basis as they aro likely to go will bo a long one, there will probably: bo a fair spell of this hand-to-mouth business. The high prices ruling are also restricting trade, as many consumers find it necessary to curtail their consumption, with such prices ruling retail at 2s 3d per tin for sheep tongues, 23 for salmon, Is 8d for fruits, 3s 6d to 3s 9d per dozen for eggs, Is 7d for bacon, and Is 2d for cheese. These are just a few instances. Importation has becjn very heavy for the first four months of this year, being fully -a, third heavier than a year ago. There are a few further reductions in price 3 this month, but these are principally in metal goods.. There is otil] a - good deal of ahc-i-tago in supplies, however.

Five first-offending inebriates-appeared before Mr. F. V. Fra-zer, S.Mi, at the Magistrate's Court to-day. A penalty or Ins, the amount_of bail, was inflicted in each case.

A trimmor on. the Manuka, Lionel Walters, was knocked unconscious by afall of coal in the bunkers on Tues'dav evening, H e was attended to while the vessel was in the stream, and.was taken to the Hospital yesterday afternoon, he having regained consciousness.

'Dr. J. E. Riddell, who has launched a big scheme for the education of Hie children of soldiers killed in the war, waitod on the Wanga-mn'-W^iitotara. Patriotic Association, at Wanganui, yesterday. It was resolved to vote £2000* to the fund, tho sum to be paid in war bonds?

"I have now heard 25 divorce, cases this sesson, and in more than half of them drink has been the cau^e of the trouble. This, 1 suppose, is the aftermath of our Continuance policy."—The Chief Justice at the Supreme Court yesterday.

After a visit of inspection to Somes Island, the Hon. (i. W. Russell, stated yesterday that the buildings set apart for women were well advanced, and soon would be ready for furnishing. He hoped that in about, a- fortnight the station would be ready for occupation in case of need. .

It was said of the respondent in an undefended divorce case at the Supreme Court yesterday that he was nowworking on the wharf- The Chief, Justice (oh- Robert Stout) said that he could not understand why those in authority should allow a man of bad'character on to tho. wharf. 'To do so was a danger to the wharf workers themselves, many of whom were very decent men. 7

"I understand you have been discussing whether you are to become a political, organisation or not," Sir James Allen said during his visit to the Returned Soldiers' Conference at Christchurch yesterday. . " I am not going to pass any opinion about that, but in the early; stages of the war I expressed a candid opinion, and I .say it now, that the.more you keep out of politics the better." s

A meeting of the creditors of the late Miss Emma Eleanor Walker, nurse, lapsed yesterday for want "of it, quorum. Some of- tho securities left by Miss .Walker have been realised by the executor, and it is estimated that when the remainder of the assets have been realised there will -be a deficiency of nearly £100. It is" however, possible, that something may occur which will enable the Official Assignee (Mr. S. Tansley) to pay out 20s in" the ... \

Many visitors to the recent Townplanning Conference and Exhibition were struck with the exhibit of tall wellgrown trees which can be purchased for street-planting, thus obviating the necessity of having. to wait ten or twelve years before there is growth .enough to make any kind of show, with the atten-. danfc risk of them not striking at all or perishing in their youth. These trees have been secured by the City Corporation, and were removed from the Town Hall yesterday to be replanted at Newtown Park.

The decision of the Government to establish one salary- schedule for all branches of the New. Zealand Public Service came as a great surprise; but when one considers the matter the wonder Is that the decision was not made years ago (remarks the New Zealand Railway Officers' Advocate/. There maye be some difficulty in adjusting the railway salaries to dovetail into the hew schedule adopted by Cabinet, but from statements made by Mr. Hiley and Mr. M'Villy, wo believe a genuine attempt will be made to do justice to the railway officers and bring them Into line with officers in other branches of the Public Service. The Executive Council of the Wellington Competitions Society met last evening, Mr. F. G. Gray presiding. The final solect-ion of musical and elocutionary test items "was adopted. It was decided to include in tho .programme senior classes in the national dancing i section, Burns's song for both* ladies and gentlemen, a recitation by a; New Zealand, author, also a competitive design for the programme cover The General Manager of New Zealand Railways wrote regretting that ■ concessions could not be granted to competitors travelling to Wellington for the competitions. Mr. Harold Whittle was appointed official accompanist. Mr. Mackenzie Forbes wrote accepting the position of judge in the national dancing section. \ The organising committee reported having received n, considerable number of trophies as special prizes, and these will be allocated to the various classes.

Regarding the housing of the Railway employees, a contribution to the Railway Officers' Advocate from tho Palmersto'n North Branch is as follows :_— "This branch is also experiencing the difficulty 6f housing, and the only way to secure a home is to buy one. We are hoping that the Department will see its way to erect homes for its servants, and in this connection we would-mention that meat companies, milk companies, ftaxmillers, etc., provide Up-to-date concrete houses for their employees. Ths question naturally, arises : Why hot the Railway Department? Wooden houses are out of date, and seme good samples are seen now of the concrete, interlacing block system and concrete tiles, all New Zealand mado. The investment for the Department would be. a good one, and tend to security of tenure as well as satisfaction to employees (which nowadays is the main item), together with a sure rental revenue.

The thirteenth annual meeting of the Wellington. Farmers': Union Mutual Insurance Association was held yesterday. According to the report and balancesheet, the net premium income showed an increase of £280 17s over the previous year. The premium note capital stood this year at ..32,017 19s Bd, being an increase over last year of £6474 7s. The losses of the year amounted to £6198 19b 3d, being the-heaviest that the association has experienced since' its inception. Included in the claims paid was £2815 in connection with the Rnetihi bush fires. The total insurances, held by the. association aniountod to £471,959 6s Bd. and the net risk held was £404,----713 6s Bd. The new-business for tho yoar amounted to £121,570. The report concluded by expressing appreciation of the work done by agents. Tho. annual report of tho accident branch was also submitted. It showed that tho business transacted for the year was an ,im- fprovement, on the previous year. Tho net income from premiums amounted to £329 14s 6d. The claims for compensation had been considerably more numerous than previous years, and, though small individually, the total paid under the heading was £120 4s 6d. - The net risks at the end of the year totalled £59,619.

In the Divorce Court yesterday afternoon tho Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) referred frequently to,the evil effects of liquor. "You can sec it. in the streets of the city. " he said, ''I have seen 50 in an afternoon."

Mr. G. A. Jones, headmaster of the Te.Ore Ore School, who is about leaving'for Johnsonv?lle, was entertained by the settlers of Te Ore Ore on Wednesday evening and made the recipient of a valuable gift, in recognition of his services to-the district.

Captain Fred Gordon Hoot-on, Dental Corps, of Hawthorn, Victoria (son of Mr. John Hooton, general manager of the Farmers' Co-operative Wholesale Federation, New Zealand, Ltd.; Wellington), who has been several years- on 'active service in France and Belgium, returned to Sydney iiy the Wandilla on 21st May.

A Press Association message from Dunedin states that the Rev R. S. Gray, pastor of the Hanover-street Baptist Church for the last six years, has resigned in order to assume the position of Dominion organiser for the prohibition campaign. This step has been taken at the request of the New Zealand Alliance and" the Efficiency League. The Rev. Knowles Kempton, of the . Auckland Tabernacle, will succeed Mr. Gray as pastor of the Hanover-street- Church.

With the' approval of the Minister of Lands and the Minister" in Charge of War Funds, the Wa.nganiii-Wa,itotara Patriotic Association yesterday unani-' moiisly decided to transfer'£lo,ooo to a land settlement fund, for the purpose of. co-operating with the Government in. placing soldier settlors on farms. As a beginning a proposal, to acquire a Westmere property for subdivision into dairy farms for soldiers who had applied for them was approved, and the Lands Committee was authorised to complete tho transactions. '■"■•'..

Speaking of repatriation, Siw James 'Allen said, at. the Returned Soldiers' Conference at Christchurch yesterday, "that 'it was no use putting men into temporary billets. He had been anxious to have a board of one Minister, but the present, board had done "much, better than was expected. The Act was not what was wanted, but it could not be altered before next session, and then it would probably be too late. Therefore, everybody should try to make the best of what they'had.. With certain amendments, the present machinery would fulfil most of the requirements. He wished to thank the boards for their work.

Replying to statements regarding the employment of returned soldiers in the Defence Department, Sir James Allen stated at Christchurch that it had been the policy of the Department to give preference to * capable, suitable returned soldiers of all -ranks when filling posi-; tions in the Department, and a periodical pursing had been made in respect of men who were not returned soldiers. There had been no alteration recently, in that policy. The recent speeding up' in this matter of. purging was due to a number,of fit men arriving in the Dominion, and the greater number of Staff Corps and Permanent Staff positions becoming available. He added : "General Richardson has not yet assumed his duties a 6 officer in charge of administration."

■ The Arbitration Court figured- in the discussion at a lecture given in Wahganui by Professor Seager, of Auckland. He expressed the opinion that the Court had not had a fair test yet. It' was instituted in a period of - rising prices, where, wages would have gone up, but probably not.' so fas as" by the" action of the Court. An'appeal would be made to the Court ijust about the time another rise was due, and it was able to grant it. A fair test would be in a period of falling prices, When appeals would be made by the employers, who would demand reduction of wages in order to keep their businesses going. Many workers confused money wages as the real wages, whereas the real wages was its purchasing power.'. j

A letter from the Merchants' Association of Now York read at the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday, stated that the United States Government was fast removing the temporary obstacles,to international business which were necessary during the war. This action, together with the increasing number of-vessels availablefor commercial cargoes,, the declining freight rates, the rapid abrogation,of restrictions' and needs which diverted raw materials from their normal and pre-war channels and uses, all forecasted a vigorous 'esamption of. normal trade. Houses in the United States were again anxious to purchase and sell merchandise abroad, and the falling of prices to a firm basis daily encouraged such business.