NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 107, 1 November 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Co-operation in Politics, "If we could enlarge the spirit of co-operation and brotherhood between the three services; if we could only get that spirit in the political world we would be a long way towards winning the war," said Wing Commander E. G. Olsen, of Air Headquarters, Wellington, when replying to a toast at the London Scottish Old Comrades' reunion, last night. j Rata in Flower. It is early'yet for the beautiful scarlet rata to be in flower, but some excursionists to the West Coast at the weekend were very appreciative of a display of the bloom, which they saw on the way to the Rewanui mine, states the Christchurch "Star-Sun.". Rata blooms spasmodically, and the mild winter must have encouraged its growth. Nurses' Home. Referring to a report on the stability of the nurses' home, Mr. A. W. Croskery, at the meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board last night, said that he thought the matter should receive full publicity. The chairman, Mr. F. Castle, said that the position was clear. The main reason the reports were called for was that there was some suggestion that the building had not that margin of safety which was thought necessary, but the report received showed that there was no doubt about the structural strength of the building. The report justified the specifications of the architect and the structural engineer. Red Cross Overseas. At the last meeting of the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, interesting letters were received from Colonel Myers, London, who represented the Dominion on the Council of the League of Red Cross Societies. Colonel Myers wrote interestingly of the work being done by the Red Cross organisation on behalf of the sick, wounded, and the prisoners of war and in glowing terms of the fortitude of the people of London. The chairman (Dr. J. L. Will) reported that the Red Cross official inquiry system for relatives domiciled in enemy occupied territory was working very satisfactorily. Already over 600 replies to inquiries had been received from the International Red Cross Committee at Geneva. Boy Writes for Flag. 9 An Eltham boy, who, judging from his letter, is quite young, apparently believes in going to high official quarters when he wants anything. Recently he wrote to the Defence Department, Wellington, asking the Department to send him a New Zealand flag "for our flag pole which we have put up for our Empire." His name is Brian Belcher. The letter came under the notice of Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Burge. Deputy Quartermaster-General, who, not having any flags at his disposal to hand out as presents but feeling that he would like to do something for the boy, forwarded the boy's letter to the board's office. Now the board's secretary has undertaken to see what can be done. There may be some person or organisation with a flag to spare. Juries and Mercy. A plea by counsel to a jury in the Auckland Supreme Court on Wednesday that "the quality of mercy is not strained" gave occasion to Mr. Justice Fair to direct the jury that, however desirable that quality might be, it was no part of their function to exercise it. "The jury is very happily excused from taking that factor into consideration," said his Honour. "They are to weigh the evidence and deal fairly and justly by the accused, but to do no more. If questions of sympathy or mercy were taken into consideration,, then there would have to be evidence upon the facts that determine the exercise of that discretion; but there is rio evidence of that kind before you, and you will be good enough to exclude that appeal altogether from your consideration." Town Planning No Luxury. "If town and regional planning are but desirable amenities and no more, they should be promoted if and when finances permit such luxuries; but if :t can be shown that town and regional planning are valuable aids to the economic development of our urban and rural areas and that where town and regional planning is not practised industry is hindered and costly problems created, then no time should be lost in bringing its governing principles into play," said the president of the New Zealand Town Planning Institute, Mr. M. G- C McCaul, in addressing the annual meeting of members. "In [times of trade depression they are ! essential to the promotion of prosperity and in times .of prosperity they are essential as provision against less prosperous times when we are afflicted with unemployment and in danger of hurriedly improvising works of doubtful economic value. Now is the time when all local governing bodies should be planning ahead and deciding upon major works to be put in hand if and when serious unemployment ! occurs after the strain of war." Money Order Commission. From today new rates of commission are being adopted for Post Office money orders issued and paid in New I Zealand and the Cook Islands. The Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. C. I Webb) explained last evening that the j 'present rate of commission was Id for each £1 or part of £1, with a minimum of 6d. The new rate would be 7d for the first £10 and 3d for each additional £5 or part of £5. In comparison with the present charges the new rates reduced the commission on orders* for large amounts and slightly increased it on those for small amounts. The change was intended to make the rates of commission more equitable j throughout the whole range of orders from £1 to £40. Examples of commission at the old and new rates on selected orders were as follows:—£s, old rate 6d, new rate 7d; £10, old rate lOd new rate 7d; £20, old rate Is Bd, new rate Is Id; £30, old rate 2s 6d, new rate Is 7d; £40, old rate 3s 4d, new rate 2s Id. Unclaimed Raffle Prizes. -Unclaimed prizes in raffles conducted on behalf of the Sick, Wounded, and Distress Fund, and now at the disposal of the Canterbury Provincial Patriotic Council, include the trotting horse Passport, which was given by Mr. J. R. McKenzie, states the "Press." At the meeting of the council on Wednesday the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr. R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.), said these prizes would be disposed of in further raffles or sales to assist the present appeal for £150,000 in Canterbury. The Department of Internal Affairs advised that in addition to the trotter, a cheque for £50, a set of golf clubs, a 51b box of tea, a fur cape, and a bicycle were unclaimed. The Department asked to be advised when these were taken over and whether they were to be disposed of by raffle or sale. Placed before the meeting, too, was a letter from Mr. McKenzie pointing out that he has kept the horse at his expense for the last five months, and asking what the council proposed to do with it, as he was not prepared to keep the horse any longer. Mr. Macfarlane said arrangements had been made for the council to take the horse. It would be available, with the other unclaimed prizes, for the present appeal.