NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 13, 15 July 1939, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

how Lake Taupo Level

In spite of the fact that it is midwinter the remarkable phenomenon pf Lake. Taupo being almost at record low level continues, states the "New Zealand Herald." Some of the reefs of rock which are usually well below water level are to be observed well clear of the water, However, with- the particularly heavy fall of snow which has taken place, as soon as the thaw sets in, it should'not be Jong before the level of the lake commences to return to normal, The Ordering of Undesirables. "A protest against rulings of Magis^ trates "giving undesirables so many hours to leave the towns, and clear to the country where less police protection is afforded women and children," was embodied in an Otago remit considered by the conference of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union yesterday. In the course of the discussion some glaring examples of which had happened in country districts were quoted by members. It was decided to appoint a small deputation to wait on the Minister of Justice and point out that the practice is detrimental to country life. Shortage of labour. "After making a tour of the South Island in the interests of the motor body industry I find that, employers are experiencing the same difficulties as those in the North Island. There is a great shortage of skilled labour," said Mr. J. E. Hunt, of Wellington, president of the Coach and Motor Body Builders' Federation of Employers, in an interview, states "The Post's" Dun- | edin representative. "The shortage is so acute that employers are considering making application to the Court of Arbitration to have working hours increased to 44 a. week," said Mr, Hunt. "I also find that employers in the south are strongly opposed to the proposal of the workers' union to reduce the number of apprentices to three. Employers are sympathetic to the ideals of the Government in the training of youths in industry, but they think the 'ratio should be one boy to one trades* [man until the present depleted ranks of skilled tradesmen are brought, up to the requisite number." New Zealand's Experiment. "I am quite satisfied that a crop of difficulties is feeing sown today which will take a lot of harvesting and it might not be very long before that harvesting is upon us," said Mr, P, O, Smellie, president of the Chamber of Commerce, at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Junior Chamber of Commerce, states "The Post's" representative. "An experiment is being tried in New Zealand, an experiment which I think was inevitable. Sooner or later," continued Mr. Smellie, "we, whose business memory goes back to the depression days, when all sorts of creeds and ideas were being advocated in currency reform, realised that the time was coming when an endeavour would be made to introduce these ideas into politics. I think the experiment will fail, but it is an experiment which' is worthy of study, particularly by the younger men. In it you will find lessons which will be of assistance to you in later life." Cook Strait Fog Signal. j On or about Wednesday next a wireless- telegraph fog signal will be established on Stephens Island, in Cook Strait, and the wireless-telegraph beacon will be discontinued, according to a notice to mariners, Puring poor visibility, between 6 a.m. and sunset, ( and in all weathers between sunset and 6 a.m., the signal group will be transmitted every six minutes, commencing at the hour. During clear weather between 6 a.m, and sunset, two complete tranmJssions of the signal group will be made every hour, commencing on the hour and again thirty minutes later, The signal's wave,length will be 291 kilocycles (1029.2 metres). The signal group will be;— ZLOD once, followed by a succession of Ds (45 sec,); long dash (10 sec); repetition of ZLOD and Ps (45 sec,); long dash. (10 sec.); silent 250 sec. Engaging Waterside Labour. A ballot was held by the Wellington watersiders this week to decide whether or not the bureau system for engaging and controlling labour, as at present constituted, should be continued or not. It was decided, by 1036 votes to 327, to continue the system, The system of engaging and controlling waterside labour In New Zealand is hqX a national one, and various ports may employ different systems, On Tuesday the Auckland watersiders will hold a ballot similar to the one held in Wellington. Before the bureau system was brought into operation the employers or their agents picked their own waterside workers from those available, which meant that it was possible for a man to be without work for any length of time. Bulldozer to Rescue. The main highway between Tuakau and the bridge across the Waikato River, about two miles from the town, was rendered impassable on Thursday as the result of the steady rain that fell on Wednesday afternoon and evening, states a correspondent, The road is being reconstructed preparatory to tar-sealing, and the work involves easing the grade oyer the length Where it rises from the river bank to higher ground, A big cutting and filling is involved at this point, and a bulldozer and other plant has been engaged there. A Dy-pass was provided, but on Wednesday this commenced to collapse, and by Thursday morning traffic was faced with an impassable stretch, at points on which the mud had become feet deep. The bulldozer was able to negotiate it, and on Thursday it was busy as a towing machine, hauling vehicles both up and down the grade in strings numbering UP to -seven at a time. The road is a main highway giving access to a big stretch of country across the river. The contractors had their plant, including motor lorries, busily engaged on- Thursday night metalling a track through. All thp resources of the Franklin County Council, which controls the road, are also being placed behind them to ensure a quick oveiv coming of the difficulty, and, provided there is no further rain mean* while, it is expected that conditions for traffic will be normal by tomorrow evening.