NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 133, 8 June 1939, Page 12

NEWS OF THE DAY

Another Modern Daniel. In introducing Sir Harry Batterbee at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce luncheon yesterday, the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) recalled that at the annual gathering of the chamber his own presence had been described as like that of Daniel in the lion's den. Before coming to the luncheon he had looked in vain for any reference in the Scriptures to a Harry having been in a similar plight. Later, when Sir Harry Batterbee was speaking, he mentioned the simile that Mr. Sullivan had used and said that he could not think of a happier one. He did indeed feel like Daniel in the lion's den, but at least Daniel had the consolation of knowing that whatever painful experience he might, have through the meal, he would be spared the experience of speaking after it. (Laughter.)Strawberry Planting. In late autumn sunshine, Auckland strawberry growers have been experiencing the best conditions for planting for many years, states the "Auckland, Star." The most popular variety is again the Captain Cook, but considerable areas are also being planted with the Marguerite, which is a more prolific cropper at the peak of the season and produces a larger berry. Climatic and soil conditions in the Auckland district have been chiefly responsible for the increase in the cultivation of the Captain Cook berry, which has been proved more hardy than the Marguerite and has a longer fruiting season. It is expected that the total area under strawberries may be slightly increased as compared with last year, the principal districts being again Avondale South, Birkdale, Northcote, Glenfleld, and Takapuna. A Peacemaker Scorned. "Where Mr. Chamberlain has failed how can Mr. Savage hope to succeed?" was a question asked at the monthly meeting of the Bruce County Council on Monday that summed up the feeling of councillors towards the Prime Minister's appeal for a world peace conference, states, the "Otago Daily Times." The matter arose when a letter was received from the secretary of the National Peace Council of New Zealand asking the council to support the Prime Minister's appeal for a world conference on economic and other questions affecting the peace of the world. Councillor J. Clark was the first speaker to throw cold water on the proposal, and he did so in no uncertain terms. ' "How could such a conference be arranged?" he asked. "And what good would it be? Mr. Chamberlain tried his best in the interests of peace and Herr Hitler has broken all his promises. Another peace conference would be useless, for you cannot trust Herr Hitler to keep any pledge." Councillor A. Renton said that the League of Nations had failed, and he could not see how Mr. Savage could succeed. The chairman (Councillor D. McGregor) also ridiculed Mr. Savage's attempt to bring peace to the world and said that the appeal savoured of political propaganda. "He has quite enough to do looking after his own business," he added, "without worrying about overseas troubles." And so none of the encouragement sought for the Prime Minister's appeal was forthcoming. A Man of Parts. / Two amusing slips of the tongue by the president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce (Captain S. Holm) occurred at the luncheon given by the chamber yesterday, nt which the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom (Sir Harry Batterbee) was the chief speaker. It was part of Captain Holm's duties to call upon the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) to introduce Sir Harry Batterbee, and after some preliminary remarks he said, "Without further ado I will now call upon the Rev. D. G. . . ." There was a.roar of laughter in which both Mr. Sullivan and Captain Holm joined whole-heartedly, and when it had subsided the latter continued, "That slip occurred because I was very particular not to say Dan Sullivan. I will now call upon the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Internal Affairs, to introduce the speaker of the day." (Renewed laughter.) "It is easy to understand the little error the chairman has made," commented Mr. Sullivan. "He finds himself in an atmosphere of holiness, goodness, and all like qualities." "You look the part," interposed Captain Holm, amid further laughter. "Now he is making it worse," said Mr. Sullivan. "Ho says I look the part. I think I shall have something to say to him later on." The introduction then proceeded, with guests and members alike still simmering with laughter.

i Ambulance Reserve. The latest bulletin issued by the St. John Ambulance Brigade contains an appeal to all who have had ambulance and nursing experience to supply their names to the brigade so that a reserve of ambulance workers and nurses can be compiled for use in an emergency. There are probably a large number of men in New Zealand who have had service in the Royal Army Medical Corps or the New Zealand Medical Corps, and the reserve will give these an opportunity to ofTer their expert services to the Dominion in a time of need. "Principle Sound." "I believe that the principle underlying ■ the guaranteed price plan is a good one and that it would be an excellent thing for the dairy farmer, and for the country, if his income were stabilised at a level which would assure for him a reasonable standard of living and offer him some inducement to increase production, but it is not an earthly bit of good fixing the price for his produce if at the same time his costs are raised to such an extent that the price he receives is .reduced so much in value as to make his position worse than before," said Mr. H. H. Meredith, chairman of the South Island Dairy Association, at the annual conference, states "The Post's" Dunedin representative. "The Minister of Finance and Marketing," said Mr. Meredith, "has expressed a desire to I secure stability of costs, and this injdustry has offered to co-operate with him so far as is possible in Mr. Nash's endeavour to achieve that objective. I am sorry to say, however, that all indications point in the other direction, and it appears that it is not within the Minister's power to put a stop to the ever increasing burden of costs the people of this country are at present experiencing."