NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1942, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Railway Returns. In the four-weekly period ended December 6, compared with the figures for the corresponding period in 1940, there was an increase of £44,325 in the net railway revenue. The figures from April 1 to December 6 last year (250 days) compared with the returns for the period April 1 to December 7, 1940 (251 days) show a decrease of £5018. Good Result. Due to storage space being required for other purposes and also to difficulties in arranging transport to Wellington, the Masterton waste paper collecting effort is ceasing. It is said to have been the best of any country area in New Zealand. Since the scheme was started some months ago 50 bales of paper have been sent to Wellington and a further 16 bales have been awaiting transport. This represents roughly, about 20 tons of paper. Women at Saleyards. • A sign of the times and an example of the present drain on the Dominion's manpower was given at the Westfield saleyards, Auckland, on Wednesday, when the first fat stock sale of the New Year was held. A few women were seen driving trucks taking stock from the yards, and a number of others were sitting beside the drivers, presumably making themselves acquainted with the work. Although not usually seen at Westfield in this role, women have been among the buyers for some time. Linseed Products. The manufacture of linseed oil and linseed oil cattle cake has been declared a licensed industry under the Industrial Efficiency Act. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr. Sullivan) said last evening that the purpose of declaring the industry one to be carried on under licence from the Bureau of Industry was to give New Zealand interests possessing sufficient technical knowledge of the manufacture of linseed oil and cattle cake an opportunity to engage in the industry under the protection of the Industrial Efficiency Act. "At the present time," said the Minister, "there is a surplus of seed available from the eleven linen flax mills operating in the South Island, and there is, therefore, an immediate source of supply of seed ready for any commercial interests which might secure a licence to engage in the industry." Verbal "White Feather." It happened on a Papanui tram the other day, states the Christchurch "Star-Sun." When the car stopped at Leinster Road a woman just about to alight paused, and, tapping a civilian on the shoulder, inquired: "How is it, that while my son is fighting in the Middle East and my husband is mobilised with the National Reserve, you are not in uniform?" And before the man, to whom the woman was a perfect stranger, could frame a retort, she was gone. It happens that the civilian, who is a Government servant, was lent to the Army at the outbreak of the war to fill a key clericaj position which he still, holds. So important are his duties considered that he is not permitted to join the E.P.S. or the Home Guard. Apart from the fact that.he has four children, he says he is getting sick of being the butt of such references. He thinks it is time that civilian clerks in key Army posts should be given a uniform or some distinguishing badge. The case is only one of many to prove that zealous patriots should be sure of their ground before handing verbal "white feathers" to strangers.