NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 113, 8 November 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Armistice Day. Citizens and traffic control authorities throughout New Zealand are requested to observe the practice adopted in the Dominion on former similar occasions of two minutes' silence from 11 a.m., and the suspension of all vehicular traffic during that period on November' 11, Armistice Day, according to a notice in the Gazette last night. The notice, which is signed by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) adds that where a service is held it is suggested it should be at the local cenotaph or war memorial as the case may be. Almost Providential. - The diversion of the Second Echelon of the N.Z.E.F. which resulted in their arrival in Great Britain at a time wljen the danger of invasion was greater than at any other period, was described as almost providential iby the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), when addressing troops at Trentham yesterday afternoon. They were welcomed and taken to the hearts of their British kinsfolk, who were strong and united as never before in the cause of. democracy. The British people were determined to maintain i their own existence and that of the countries of the British Commonwealth as an independent people, Mr. Fraser said. "Only the Germans." The comparative unconcern with which people in rural England view the German air raids is illustrated in a letter to a Christchurch resident, states the "Press." "It is lovely weather and so peaceful and pleasant here," writes the correspondent, "except for various dog-fights with Hun aeroplanes, which we see from time to time and the buzzing of Hun aeroplanes overhead at night. It is quite extraordinary to be picking blackberries with half a dozen small children and suddenly hear the buzz of distant aeroplanes and the crackle of machine-guns. Sarah (a little girl) summed up the situation as follows: —Virginia: 'Ooh, wats that noise?' Sarah: 'Don't be frightened, Ginia, it isn't thunder, it's only the Germans.'" General Election Chances. ! "We have to win the election next year," stated Dr. Lexington Jones, the chairman, at a meeting of National Party members at the National Club, I Christchurch, on Wednesday, after Mr. W. A. Bodkin, M.P., had given an ! address. "I think we are having our last chance—-the third time under. We have deserved it, through lack of organisation and a decent policy. But we have come to our senses and we have our last opportunity, because God help New Zealand if Jack Lee gets in charge. Totalitarianism would come quicker than Mr. Fraser and Mr. Nash would bring. it in." Dr. Jones said that", if organised, the National Party could prevent an unsatisfactory state of affairs—the formation of a new party. It already had strong candidates in the House.'1 Homer Tunnel Progress. Although the Homer* Saddle was actually pierced some months ago, it will be some time yet before the tunnel which will connect Te Anau with Milford Sound will be enlarged to full size and completed for the use of motor traffic, states the "Otago Daily Times." Ring boring, which is the forerunner of the excavation to full size, was carried out during the winter, and by the end of August, I when it was temporarily suspended, !23 chains of the tunnel remained to be bored in this way in preparation ifor the use of explosives. During the past two months the men employed by the contractors, Messrs. A. F. Downer and Co., of Wellington, have been engaged on widening the western entrance, where the tunnel was diverted slightly. Soldiers' Votes. Regulations empowering members of the overseas forces to vote in Parliamentary elections were issued last night. These regulations were made under the Act -recently passed by Parliament, and they define the procedure. Special returning officers will be appointed to supervise the recording of, votes by New Zealand, soldiers, wherever they happen to be situated overseas, and these officers will make the necessary arrangements for polling places, the distribution of voting papers and the counting of votes. After the [poll has been held the returning officers will forward the results to the Chief Electoral Officer in New Zeaand by cable or by other expeditious means. Machinery matters, such as the forwarding of the necessary ballot papers* to New Zealanders serving overseas are also covered by the regulations. An interesting provision is the definition contained in the regulations of those j eligible to vote. They will comprise all members of the Forces irrespective of age.