NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 29, 3 August 1933, Page 10

NEWS OF THE DAY

A Slight Earthquake. Thirty seconds before noon yostorday a. very slight earthquake was felt by a few people in Wellington. Records made by it at the Dominion Observatory show that its origin was at a point about '50 miles from Wellington. Growth of Towns. | The population of the DominionV principal towns, including Maoris, is estimated to have been as follows on April 1 this year:—Auckland, 219.800; Wellington, 145,900; Christchurch', 130,100; and Dunedin, 87,900. Wanganui comes fifth on. tho list with 27,650, followed by Invereargill and Palmerston North, with 24,500 and 23,500 respectively. Other centres with a population of over 10,000 are Napier, 19,450; New Plymouth, 18,750; Timaru, 15,750; Hamilton, 18,300; Hastings, 17,000; Gisborne, 16,500; and Nelson, 12,850. Overseas Freights. Figures showing the pre-war' rates of freight on a number of lines were discussed at the last meeting of tho Canterbury Importers' Association, reports tho "Press." Tho figures re.vealed au average'increase of 100 per cent, on imports. It was stated that exporting interests had been consulted and information had been supplied indicating an approximate increase of G<t per cent, in freights on primary products. In. view of the fact that throughout the world charges of all descriptions had been reduced it was considered that shipping companies should make some concessions. It was decided to ask the New Zealand Federation of Importers to bring pressure to bear, if necessary through the Government by cabling to Mr. Forbes in London. Stress was laid on the fact that higii charges such as freights, exchange, duty, and sales tax all combined to restrict consumption and this acted as one of the causes of depression and unemployment. It was urged that great efforts were beiug niado by manufacturers and sellers of goods to market at Tow prices, and shipping companies should do their share. Appeal Boaid Criticised. "Though I have not had an opportunity of reviewing the case, it seems to ma that tho board's decision is very ill-adv'iscd and ill-considered, and that the whole of the facts have not been placed before tho board," said Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., fit a meeting of tho New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League held on Tuesday to consider the vecent decision of the Transport Appeal Jitoard in connection with the services between- Now Plymouth and Auckland j (reports the "Tarahaki Daily News"). The following motion was carried unanimously: "That this meeting strongly protests against tho action oi: the Taranaki Appeal Board in cancelling the tourist motor service between Auckland and New Plymouth for the following reasons: Loss of uu efficient and reliable service at suitable times; a, diversion of a certain amount of tourist traffic from the district; au increase in local unemployment; inconvenience and loss to Taranaki business people." "I feel so strongly ou tho matter that I am prepared to take certain action," said Mr. Smith. "The facts may be against mo, but I do not think so."

Building Activities. The monthly "Abstract of .Statistics" shows that from the mid of.June, ,19.32, until the. end of June, 1933, of tho four urban areas Auckland _ displayed, the greatest building activity. Juildiug permits -for alterations to existing buildings numbered 200 in Auckland, as against 00 in -AVclliugton, and permits for new buildings (including thoso commenced by Government Departments) 20, as against 7. The value- of the alterations in Auckland amounted to £45,2 M, aa against £6224 in Wellington; but tho cost of Wellington's-now buildings amounted to £33,775 for tho 7 of tliem as against £6194: for Auckland's 20. Building activity in Christchurch for tho same period amounted to £7640 all told, and in Dunedin to £3670. High-priced Whitebait. The first whitebait of the season was sold in Christchurch on Tuesday, ono firm of 'fishmongers receiving a small parcel from a Waimakariri fisherman. x\s far as could be ascertained, this was tho only supply available for sale in the city that day, and it was quickly sold, although the price was 8s per !b. Tuesday was (he first day on which the fish could bo sold, owing to tho regulations of the Marine Department forbidding the opening of tho season until August 1. Motor-vehicles Licensed. Motor-vehicle licences in force in the Dominion at Juno 30, 1933, totalled 140 994. Of these the North Island claimed 95,763 and the South Island 51 231. The types of vehicles licensed were:—Cars, 99,579; light trucks, 15,569; heavy trucks, 11,707; omnibuses, 499; taxis, 1396; rental cars, 106; service cars, 852;. dealers' cars, 731; local authority roa,d vehicles, 1103; Government vehicles, 1309; motor-cycles, 14,036;'and' dealers 3 motor-cycles, 107. Kose Pruning at Newtown Park. The annual demonstration of rose pruning at Newtown Park was up till a couple of years ago quite an institution, for tho distribution of prepared cuttings and advice as to the best means of striking cuttings was really secondary to tho demonstration of how roses should, bo treated to get the best results in tho following flowering season. Interest in the demonstrations gradually foil away, and tho special day was dropped. The big job of pruning tho .3000 roses in the .park is in hand at present, and will bo completed in-a few days. Only a few visitors showed interest in the -work, and those who desired them were supplied with cuttings. . Still Waiting. "It is about six months since \vo all assisted, in our festive regalia, to drive tho last spike on tho Stratford-Main Trunk railway, but wo have not heard yet when the first passenger trains arc to commence running," remarked Mr, W. J. Poison, M.P., at a meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce on Tuosday night. Neither the president (Mr. J. B. Richards), nor tho stationmaster (Mr. T. O'Connor) ■ could tell him.(says tho "Taranaki Daily News")Mr. O'Connor said that the -work in the station, yard was completed, and tho Public Works Department was still engaged on the final work of putting tho lino in order. The damage done- by tho cloudburst had upset all calculations, Mr. Richards said. Tho General Manager of Railways will be asked if ho can name a date when the service will bo commenced. A Growing Problem. Tho question of making provision for the care of returned soldiers who havo become prematurely aged and aro in need of special care was discussed by tho executive of the Christchurch. Returned Soldiers' Association. A special committee was sot up to investigate the possibilities of establishing a suitable homo for such men. Mr. W. 8.. Leadley, who introduced tho subject, said that the problem of providing for men who were prematurely aged as a result of war sorvico was becoming more acute every year. In tho Old Country there was a special pension fund for such men, and Admiral Sir Lionel Halsoy was tho trustee. He suggested that tho executive should write to Sir Lionel Halsey and ask him for particulars of the fund, how it was created, and whether it applied to ex-Imperial soldiers residing overseas. Another member • suggested, that the timo ■ was opportune for the association to consider the question of acquiring' an area of land and establishing' a home for men who were prematurely, aged and were in need of care; If this could bo done tho association wouTd be able to help a number of men who were continually applying to-tho Benevolent Committee for relief. Somo of the. cases were hopeless and they were just floating around with no homes. Sales Tax and Exchange. Criticism of the sales_ tax, and some remarks on the complications arising from the ratp of exchange, wore mado by Mr. Truby King, chairman of directors of Nowton King, Limited, at tho annual meeting of shareholders at Now Plymouth on Monday, when he referred to the merchandise sido of the business in moving tho adoption of tho report and balance-sheet (says the "Taranaki Daily News"). "Tho raising of the exchange rate has had a most unsettling effect on trading, and the uncertainty as to tho duration of tho high oxchango rate makes it most difficult to plan commitments ahead," said Mr. King. "In fact, the only possible course to pursue under existing conditions is a policy of hand-to-mouth, buying. If the margin of exchange between New Zealand currency and sterling is as arbitrarily deflated as it was inflated it must even then involve not only this company but also other trading concerns in very substantial losses." Mr. King Raid that tho imposition by the Government of a sales tax was another handicap which had proved a real burden to the trading communitj'. "This tax'," he said, "has proved very cumbersome and irksome in operation. More than that, it is a very real drain on tho slender resources of tho community, and hi my opinion it will prove a factor of magnitude- in delaying the restoratiou of confidenco which wo all so desire to sec illustrated in a greater turnover and a higher purchasing capacity of the community as a whole." Water From the Waikato. Plans for the establishment of a new water supply for areas that at present aro either inadequately served or have no source of bulk supply aro in the course of preparation by a company to be known as tho Waikato Water Supply Co., Ltd., states au Auckland telegram. It is proposed to draw supplies from tho Waikato River and to sell the supplies to such local bodies or other interests as desire to purchase water. Tho promoters of the proposed company havo announced their' intention of seeking to have a private Bill put through Parliament during the coming session giving them authority to tako water from tho Waikato River and to' establish- the necessary 'works and pipo lines for tho carrying out of the project. London interests Avill play, if prominent part in tho financing of tlin undertaking, but Auckland ' representatives are at present not prepared to make any definite statement regarding the details. Overseas engineers, i- acting iv conjunction with local cnr ginocrs, havo made a thorough investiu gallon of the proposal, and it is stated c that their reports arc particularly favt curable. They have advised that the v scheme would provido au adequate i- water supply iv the future for districts s through which the proposed pipe Hue o would pass. It .is also stated that in o due course evidence will be furnished o to the Government that the financial t stability of the interests -behind the project is beyond question.

A Carnegie Offer. Tlic College Committee of Canterbury College reported to a. meeting' of the Board of Governors that it had boon advised by. the Carnegie Corporation thai- a grant of 5000 dollars yearly would be pa;/ablo to Canterbury Collego for three years for the purchase of books for the college library, on submission of a plan .of operation satisfactory to the corporation. The committee hiis -asked leave to defer taking action regarding the essential alterations and probable additions that will be required to provide the requisite accommodation until the return of Mr. C. W. Collins, who had just completed tho Library' Travelling Fellowship. Gold and Prices. Aspects of. tho economic crisis were dealt with by Sir William Hunt, vicepresident of tlie Now Zealand' Employ ers' Federation, in au address given at tho annual meeting of the Southland Employers' Association on Tuesday evening. Sir William stressed the fact that New Zealand's recovery depended upon tho rehabilitation of its primary industries. He showed how greatly the purchasing power of the fanner' had decreased, at the same time paying a tribute to the primary producer of the Dominion for his groat efficiency Touching on world prices he said, states tho "Southland Times," that an improvement would como only when tho gold corner broke. Sooner or later this break must occur, an important factor being the great increase in the amount of gold now being placed on the market. Some Missing Millions. In connection with the extraction of fuel from coal, the Commonwealth fuel adviser (Mr. L. J. Rogers) not long ago estimated that the cost of installing a largo scale hydrogenation plant in Australia, capable of treating 1000 tons of bituminous coal a day, would amount to between £10,000,000' and £12,000,000. Lately it was reported by cable that the- capital cost of the plant about to be erected by Imperial Chemical Industries at Durham would be £2,500,000. On July 26 the Federal Minister in charge of development (Senator MeLachlan) said at Canberra: '' Tho disparity between these- figures caused mo to make inquiries, and 1 have ascertained that the reason is that Imperial Chemical Industries have already a substantial quantity of plant available at Durham, which can be adapted for the purpose desired, and that £2,500,000 represents the' cost of additional plant required to complete the hydrogenation unit."